Jack Dunlap

A skilled mandolin and guitar player, Jack is well-known nationwide, currently holding the guitar spot with Grammy-nominated and IBMA-awarded bluegrass band Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen. Though his roots are in bluegrass, he’s an artist with wide-ranging influences, including jazz, swing, blues, rock, country, and even Eastern Indian folk. As a Virginia Folklife Program apprentice, he trained under mandolin legend Danny Knicely, with whom he recorded Chop, Shred & Split - A Mandolin Player’s Apprenticeship, an album awarded Best Bluegrass Album of the Year by the Washington Area Music Awards.

Jack discovered the mandolin at age 12 and soon added guitar to his musical repertoire. His real education came from attending jam sessions and festivals across Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina, where he soaked up every bit of music he could find.

At 19, Jack co-founded Bud’s Collective, where his fiery mandolin solos quickly made him a standout. Fans eagerly awaited each time Bud’s Collective rolled into town, drawn by Jack’s captivating performances.

In January 2018, he launched the Jack Dunlap Band, teaming up with longtime collaborator Jacob Bly and powerhouse drummer Randall Witherspoon. By September, the group performed at Watermelon Park Fest in Berryville, VA, joined by saxophonist Justin Eller, who soon became a permanent band member.

When the 2020 shutdowns hit, Jack turned the downtime into a creative period, crafting a solo album titled The Isolation Sessions. This project featured only mandolin, bass, and vocals, including five original pieces, three Bud’s Collective revivals, and two traditional folk songs. By May, The Isolation Sessions had reached No. 1 on the Airplay Direct Charts.

In 2021, Jack formed the band Dunlap & Mabe, stepping into the spotlight as both lead vocalist and guitarist, achieving several appearances on Bluegrass Today’s “Grassicana” chart. 

In 2024, Jack joined one of the top touring bands in bluegrass, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen. This new venture has also allowed him to delve deeper into his solo work, continuing to evolve his unique musical style and passion.