Jesse Manns and The Bluegrass Band bringing bluegrass, country music to St. Mary's Park

Jesse Manns and The Bluegrass Band is on a mission to promote its music genre.

“We love to show the crowd how much fun and enjoyment there is in the lesser-known style of bluegrass music,” the band’s Crystal Hoffman said.

The metro Detroit-based group will play from 7-9 p.m. June 8 in the bandshell, 111 W. Elm Ave. The Concert in the Park series is sponsored by the city of Monroe’s Parks and Recreation Department. Admission to all events is free. Attendees should bring blankets or lawn chairs. The Meats Guys food truck and Stay Frosty ice cream cart will sell food at the park. Children’s activities will be offered at select events. Concerts could be canceled if it rains.

Jesse Manns and The Bluegrass Band is new to the St. Mary’s Park series, but the band performed in 2018 at the former River Raisin Acoustic Music Festival at the River Raisin Centre for the Arts.

"I thought bluegrass would be a great addition this year, as I try to offer different genres," Amy Mason, the city's recreation programmer, said. "They were recommended by a friend."

The band will play both country and bluegrass favorites.

“We have an upbeat selection of classic bluegrass with a taste of country in mind for our set at St. Mary’s Park,” Hoffman said. “We will be performing some cover songs by iconic greats like Bob Dylan and Grateful Dead, along with bluegrass standards by the best to ever do it: Bill Monroe, Osborne Brothers and Jimmy Martin.”

The five-member band also includes Jesse Manns, Rusty Rhoads, Dana Cupp and Steve Bennett. The members play acoustic guitar, pedal steel, mandolin/fiddle, banjo and upright bass.

“It’s an eccentric and lively bluegrass that is punctuated by perfect harmonies and topped off with the best-in-the business in their respective instruments. Throw in the twang of the pedal steel, and you have our sound," Hoffman said.

Jesse Manns and The Bluegrass Band formed about five years ago and is regular at the Blissfield Bluegrass on the River Festival.

“The band began around 2018 and has changed members until we’ve exacted what we were looking for with our current lineup. Searching for just the right group of musicians to fill all the voids, Jesse went back to his childhood roots and recruited long-time legendary greats Rusty Rhoads and Dana Cupp," Hoffman said. "We have a solid lineup of gigs this summer and are always looking to add more. We’ve been working on original material and anticipate a record release soon."

For more information, visit “Jesse Manns and The Bluegrass Band” on Facebook

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Jesse Manns and The Bluegrass Band bringing bluegrass, country music to St. Mary's Park