Winners of MBOTMA's 2008 "Race for a Place", featuring Minnesota's 2009 Flatpicking Champion & one of MN's top duets.
"Sawtooth is a powerhouse band now, one of the top acoustic groups in the upper Midwest."
--- Jim Whitney, Twin Cities Acoustic Music Calendar
In the tradition of classic bluegrass brother harmonies, the Sawtooth Bluegrass Band, with two sets of musical brothers, melds the sounds of the original bluegrass masters with the fresh sounds of today. Combining close harmony vocals, driving instrumentation, and a sense of fun and high energy, they have a stage show that has audiences wanting more.
Tight vocal harmonies and precision picking are getting them recognition, as they’ve received numerous accolades & awards. The band features the 2009 MN flatpicking guitar champion, Clint Birtzer, and one of the state’s top duets – Clint Birtzer and Jesse Moravec having placed 2nd in 2008 and 3rd in 2009 in the MN duet championships. The group won the 2008 “Race for a Place” contest, securing a spot on the main stage at the award-winning MBOTMA August Fest.
These young men are bringing audiences of all ages to their feet at fairs, festivals, opera houses and charity events across the Midwest. Their repertoire includes traditional and contemporary bluegrass, classic country, gospel, original pieces & even some 70’s era rock. They have made several appearances in Branson, MO, performed at numerous bluegrass festivals, the MN State Fair, and on stage with Prairie Home Companion’s Garrison Keillor.
Sawtooth has released three CD’s to date. Their debut album, “Movin’ On”, consists of a variety of bluegrass stylings, while the band’s bluegrass gospel collection, “He Can Be Found”, is a fresh, dynamic take on gospel tunes, old and new. The group is very excited about their latest project, "Bluegrass Honky Tonk", an album of bluegrass covers of classic country songs, released in June 2010.
The Sawtooth Bluegrass Band is the Moravec Brothers from Rochester, MN -- Ethan on bass & vocals and Jesse on mandolin & vocals, and also the Birtzer brothers from Rosemount, MN -- Clint on guitar & vocals, Luke on fiddle & vocals, and Shane on banjo.