History
Rayna Gellert, born December 15, 1975, is an American violinist and singer recognized for her contributions to old-time music. She was a member of the old-time stringband The Freight Hoppers before joining Uncle Earl from 2003 to 2008.
Raised in a musical household, Gellert developed a deep connection to rural stringband traditions, gospel music, and traditional ballads. Her proficiency on the fiddle was honed through participation in jam sessions and square dances, leading her to a career in performance and touring. Her solo fiddle recordings have garnered significant acclaim within the old-time music scene. Gellert has also collaborated with a diverse range of artists across various genres, including Robyn Hitchcock, Tyler Ramsey, Sara Watkins, Loudon Wainwright III, John Paul Jones, and Abigail Washburn.
During her tenure with the highly regarded stringband Uncle Earl (2003-2008), Gellert contributed to two albums released on Rounder Records and extensively toured. Since then, she has performed with musicians such as Scott Miller, Toubab Krewe, and her father, Dan Gellert. Gellert currently resides in Swannanoa, North Carolina.
