Brendan Forrest

Brendan Forrest is a Southwest Colorado-based Folk/Americana/Bluegrass artist whose music draws on bluegrass, folk, Celtic tradition, and Americana without fitting neatly into any one lane. Born into an Irish-American family on Chicago’s North Side, Forrest writes songs shaped by movement, memory, place, and tradition — from city streets and mountain towns to long stretches abroad. Across a 20-plus-year career spanning four continents, Forrest has worked as a performer, collaborator, mentor, and teacher. His credits include work with Michael Cleveland, Dominick Leslie, Duncan Wickel, George Jackson, Jake Stargel, and others. Now rooted in San Miguel County, Colorado, Forrest’s recent work reflects the space, solitude, and rugged beauty of the high desert. His releases include The Brooklyn Session, Daydreaming Music Fiend, and Songs from San Miguel, Vol. 1, which earned support from Telluride Arts. His upcoming single, “Amabel Lee,” featuring GRAMMY-winning fiddler Michael Cleveland and GRAMMY-winning mandolinist Dominick Leslie, continues his path as a thoughtful, well-traveled, and personal voice in modern acoustic music. Accolades: John Lennon Songwriting Competition Winner, 2x Telluride Arts Grantee, 2x City of Chicago Individual Artist Grant Recipient.