Westbound Situation

Westbound Situation blends the precision of classical chamber music, the rhythmic drive of bluegrass, and the colorful expression of jazz into a new style of chamber music—chambergrass. The quartet—comprised of Grant Flick on violin, Jake Howard, mandolin, Zach Brown on cello, and Jacob Warren on bass—mixes composition and improvisation seamlessly into entirely memorized arrangements. Four talented acoustic musicians with instrumental prowess only surpassed by the love of collaboration have brought their diverse musical backgrounds together to create an exciting result. With each member being one of the highest regarded players in genres ranging from roots, to classical and jazz, Westbound Situation fuses these musical influences into a set of unique original repertoire colored with recognizable standards from many genres.

The group formed out of the 2016 Acoustic Music Seminar (AMS), a program run by multi-instrumentalist Mike Marshall. All four members of Westbound Situation were two time participants, an honor reserved only for a few exceptional candidates.

Westbound Situation has a strong commitment to music education. The group’s combined experience in classical, bluegrass, jazz, and original/improvised music is something not typically offered in the standard curriculum found at most schools and colleges. These styles, among others, give each student the chance to make their own music. Through this process, valuable lessons in creativity, listening, and leadership are achieved. Each member of the group maintains a private studio, and all have been invited to provide workshops and masterclasses at schools across the country.

Westbound Situation’s exciting and diverse concerts feature a set of unique original repertoire colored with recognizable standards from many genres. With bluegrass, classical chamber music, and jazz all coming together in the group’s concept of chambergrass, a Westbound Situation concert is a dazzling musical journey not soon forgotten.