Charlie Torch

Watch Charlie Torch

Prepare to be captivated by Charlie Torch, a brand new band with an interesting take on country, bluegrass, and old-time music. Fronted by siblings Jasper and Jayna Manning, with their father Chad Manning on fiddle and Tyler Stegall on banjo, the band's bass position alternates between the talents of Mark Schatz and Paul Knight, who will be performing with the band at the Sidedoor. Charlie Torch walks the line between angelic harmonies and gutbucket truth, playing at the crossroads where even angels sing the blues. 

CHARLIE TORCH

Charlie Torch draws its listeners in close, engaging with the old music straight from the heart. Their sound is raw yet joyful, cutting to the quick while remaining playful. The singing is both raw and elegant, and the instruments seem to be talking to one another as they follow the story through each song.  Siblings Jasper and Jayna Manning front the band, with their dad, Chad Manning, on fiddle. Tyler Stegall plays banjo, while the bass position alternates between Paul Knight and Mark Schatz.

At just 19, JASPER has already toured the country, playing festivals like Delfest, High Sierra, Grass Valley Father’s Day Festival, and Hangtown. In addition to Charlie Torch, he’s a member of Bluebirds on a Wire, teaches at the Manning School of Music, and studies Math and Physics at UC Berkeley.

JAYNA, a high school senior, has been singing non-stop since she could speak. Her voice, influenced by a wide range of styles beyond her family's country roots, brings a fresh sound to the tradition. Steeped in musical theater since age 6, she’s been cast in five professional productions and is also a visual artist with a unique style.

CHAD MANNING, the band’s fiddler and father to Jasper and Jayna, is a seasoned bluegrass veteran. He’s toured and recorded with the David Grisman Sextet, David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, and Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands, and has played with bluegrass legends like JD Crowe, Curly Seckler, Tony Trischka, and Jody Stecher. Chad continues to perform with Peter Rowan and the California Bluegrass Reunion Band.

TYLER STEGALL adds versatility and a modern twist on banjo, bridging traditional bluegrass with contemporary influences. As a member of bands like Solid Gold Stranger and High Water Line, his dynamic playing infuses fresh energy into the group.

Two bass players make up Charlie Torch and depending on the night you will see either Paul Knight or Mark Schatz.

PAUL KNIGHT is a Grammy-nominated bassist who has been a prominent figure in the Roots and Americana music scenes for over 25 years. He has regulary played with an impressive lineup of artists, including Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Peter Rowan, and Jim Kweskin, and was a founding member of the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band. In addition to his work as a bassist, Knight is also highly regarded as a sound engineer, particularly for acoustic instruments, and has become a key figure in live sound production on the West Coast