Mandolinist

Acclaimed Grammy Award-winning mandolinist, singer, songwriter, composer, and MacArthur Fellow recipient of the prestigious “Genius Grant”, Chris Thile is a multifaceted musical talent, described by The Guardian as “that rare being: an all-round musician,” and hailed by NPR as a “genre-defying musical genius.” Thile is a founding member of the highly influential string bands Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek, and has collaborated with countless luminaries from Yo-Yo Ma to Fiona Apple to Brad Mehldau. For four years, Thile hosted public radio favorite Live from Here with Chris Thile (formerly known as A Prairie Home Companion). With his broad outlook, Thile creates a distinctly American canon and a new musical aesthetic for performers and audiences alike, giving the listener “one joyous arc, with the linear melody and vertical harmony blurring into a single web of gossamer beauty” (New York Times).

Chris Thile

The Englert Theatre

Acclaimed Grammy Award-winning mandolinist, singer, songwriter, composer, and MacArthur Fellow recipient of the prestigious “Genius Grant”, Chris Thile is a multifaceted musical talent, described by The Guardian as “that rare being: an all-round musician,” and hailed by NPR as a “genre-defying musical genius.” Thile is a founding member of the highly influential string bands Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek, and has collaborated with countless luminaries from Yo-Yo Ma to Fiona Apple to Brad Mehldau. For four years, Thile hosted public radio favorite Live from Here with Chris Thile (formerly known as A Prairie Home Companion). With his broad outlook, Thile creates a distinctly American canon and a new musical aesthetic for performers and audiences alike, giving the listener “one joyous arc, with the linear melody and vertical harmony blurring into a single web of gossamer beauty” (New York Times).

The Stoller Hall

The Knights join forces with mandolinist, composer, and singer Chris Thile for a program including his brilliant songwriting and storytelling, instrumental virtuosity, and ever-present sense of humor.

EPSG:4326

The Knights & Chris Thile

Venetian Theater at Caramoor

Teddy Abrams leads a concert of familiar and brand-new American music, including Aaron Copland’s ballet suite that evokes the grandeur of pastoral frontiers. Chris Thile, who was called “a genre-defying musical genius” by NPR, offers his own musical take on the American experience. The bluegrass mandolinist behind Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek brings his newly written concerto that he says tells “the true story of the time I attempted to impress a Starbucks executive and accidentally met Carrie Fisher as a result. It’s a DOOZY!” We’re not quite sure what that means either, but we’re excited to find out.

Chris Thile and Appalachian Spring

Hollywood Bowl

Acclaimed Grammy Award-winning mandolinist, singer, songwriter, composer, and MacArthur Fellow recipient of the prestigious “Genius Grant”, Chris Thile is a multifaceted musical talent, described by The Guardian as "that rare being: an all-round musician,” and hailed by NPR as a "genre-defying musical genius." Thile is a founding member of the highly influential string bands Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek, and has collaborated with countless luminaries from Yo-Yo Ma to Fiona Apple to Brad Mehldau. For four years, Thile hosted public radio favorite Live from Here with Chris Thile (formerly known as A Prairie Home Companion). With his broad outlook, Thile creates a distinctly American canon and a new musical aesthetic for performers and audiences alike, giving the listener “one joyous arc, with the linear melody and vertical harmony blurring into a single web of gossamer beauty” (New York Times).

Mandolinist

Chris Thile

Events

Upcoming events

Jan 23, 2026

Chris Thile · Tobin Center for the Performing Arts

Past events

Jan 16, 2026

Chris Thile · The Englert Theatre

Nov 17, 2025

Chris Thile · The Stoller Hall

Future and recently performed repertoire

Mandolin in Attention by Thile

Caramoor

About

Chris Thile hasn't added a bio