With The Leafless, you never know what to expect. Their incredible diversity of influences make performances engaging and surprising. Technical ability, expanding notions of genre, and exploring new textures are all held in equal esteem. Grant Flick colors the music with virtuosic violin shredding. Mandolinist Ethan Setiawan drives the groove. Jacob Warren keeps it steady and soars with melodies on the bass.

 

Grant, Ethan and Jacob first met after being invited to participate in the 2015 Acoustic Music Seminar (AMS) led by multi-instrumentalist Mike Marshall at the Savannah Music Festival. AMS invites 16 of the most promising young acoustic string musicians from around the world to participate in week of intensive playing and networking with top artists in the field, culminating in a featured performance. Following the festival, and a few summer jams, The Leafless was formed. The three were invited back again to AMS in 2016 for second year—a great honor that not all participants receive.

 

Grant’s interest in jazz, bluegrass, swing and acoustic music, and his precocious abilities on violin, mandolin and tenor guitar make him extremely versatile. He has performed with both jazz and roots music legends alike, and is a popular clinician at many conferences and gatherings. In 2016 and 2017, he was invited to teach and perform at the International Tenor Guitar Gathering.

​

Jacob’s bass playing is incredibly lyrical, whether playing a melody, or even just holding down the chords. His virtuosity comes from his training as a classical musician, which has allowed him to tour internationally with the National Youth Orchestra of the USA and to participate in prestigious programs such as the Pirastro Elite Soloist Program and Wabass Institute for the 21st Century Double Bass Player.

 

Inside Ethan’s mandolin, there is an entire drum kit. His incredible attention to grove and feel coupled with his technical ability add a depth and rhythmic drive to his playing, setting him apart from his peers. In 2014, at the age of 17, Ethan won the title of National Mandolin Champion, making him the youngest contestant to ever win.

 

Together, The Leafless create sounds as unique as the many paths that have led them to each other. As these young players come of age, they look to share with others their love of diverse performances unbounded by genre. They will continue to approach music with a sense of curiosity and exploration fueled by youthful energy.