A new acoustic improvisational supergroup is about to make its first bow. The Bowling, Grisman, Flansburg Trio brings together pianist Holly Bowling, bassist Sam Grisman, and singer songwriter and guitarist Max Flansburg, and the three will play their official live debut on Friday, December 4, 2026, at the historic Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, California. The announcement has Bay Area jam fans circling the date, since the lineup pairs one of the scene’s most admired pianists with two players steeped in roots and bluegrass tradition.

How the Trio Came Together

The group grew out of a single festival moment. Bowling sat in with Grisman and Flansburg at the Baygrass Bluegrass Festival last year, and the chemistry was strong enough that the three decided to build something longer and more focused, a dedicated performance in a room equipped with a grand piano. Berkeley made sense for more than the piano. Grisman has said he grew up going to shows at the old Freight and Salvage and later played the opening of the new location with the Bluegrass Experience. He calls the room a beautiful new home with a piano for Bowling and a fitting place for the trio to begin, and he describes Bowling as an absolute wizard of the keys.

What the Music Will Sound Like

Expect open ended acoustic spaces. The trio plans to explore what the format can do and to jump into some of its favorite jams, drawing on traditional tunes and roots styles. Grisman and Flansburg already play together regularly in the Sam Grisman Project, which honors the musical legacy of Sam’s father, the mandolinist David Grisman, and Jerry Garcia. Bowling, long known for her piano interpretations of jam band music, gives the trio a different center of gravity, and no setlist has been announced, so the evening is likely to unfold in the moment.

The debut also arrives right after a busy stretch. Bowling and Grisman are set to play Bill Kreutzmann’s A Very Grateful Thanksgiving in Hawaii a few days before the Berkeley show.

Showtime and Tickets

Doors open at 7 PM and the music starts at 8 PM. Tickets are on sale now through the Freight and Salvage box office. General admission is $39 in advance and $44 on the day of the show, and premium reserved seating is $59 in advance.