AJ Srubas is a twin cities based fiddler specializing in old time, bluegrass, Cajun, and country music.
AJ picked up a fiddle at age 10 and hasn’t put it down since, though in his spare time he has been known to play some steel guitar, too. You can read more about his musical background here. He performs and teaches both as an individual and with a number of regional and nationally touring projects and enjoys doing session work on fiddle and steel when able. More on musical projects, lessons, workshops, and studio/session work below.
“AJ’s fiddle playing is exquisite – so precise and detailed.”
— Old Time News (UK)
upcoming shows
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Pop Wagner's Honky Tonk Ranch
November 24 | 331 Club | Minneapolis, MN
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Twangsgiving @ the Turf Club
November 26 | Turf Club | St. Paul, MN
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Half Baked & Friends (bluegrass)
December 7 & December 21 | Midway Saloon | St. Paul, MN | 4-6pm
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Pop Wagner's Honky Tonk Ranch
December 12 | Oak Center General Store
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Brent Fuqua Album Release Show
December 13 | St. Joe, MN
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Mumblin Drew's Oldfangled Orchestrators
December 20 | Oak Center, MN |
Thanks to a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, this fall, AJ was able to gather up some of the country’s finest in classic bluegrass to help him cut his first fiddle record. Thanks to everyone who came out to see a Serenaders show while they were here! The tracks are in the can and we look forward to sharing them with you when the time comes. To stay up to date on album release news, sign up for the mailing list below:
winter bluegrass residency
with Half Baked & friends
This winter, come join Half Baked (Liz Ashworth, Clint Birtzer, David Robinson, Rina Rossi, and AJ) at the Midway Saloon every first and third Sunday from 4-6pm!
No cover, tips from the heart welcome and appreciated.
The Midway Saloon is located near the corner of University Ave and Snelling in St. Paul (across Snelling from the Turf Club).
bands/projects
AJ + Rina
old time fiddle tunes + songs
old time duets, instrumental and vocal
Steam Machine
old-time & bluegrass
fiddle forward old time bluegrass music
Old Fashioned Aces
cajun music
comfort food for the Cajun music fan, from old fiddle tunes to classic dance floor packers to bilingual country classics.
Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee
classic bluegrass/oldtime/early country
fiddle work on various projects including Alum Ridge Boys and Ashlee
Half Baked
bluegrass
Half Baked began when the backing band for a Kenny Baker tribute show had a little too much fun together. It’s evolving into…well, we’ll just have to see where it goes!
Pop Wagner’s Honky Tonk Ranch
country
early country & country originals and covers with Twin Cities legend Pop Wagner
lessons | workshops | teaching
AJ has been teaching fiddle for over 10 years in settings including:
one-on-one lessons for adults and older youth interested in learning fiddle technique, styles, and deeper history and context of old time & bluegrass music, with a specific focus on Missouri Valley, Illinois, and midwest fiddle repertoire and styles. in person (twin cities area) or virtual from wherever you are
workshops at festivals and events in old-time, bluegrass, and Cajun fiddle styles and technique
old time fiddle camps for adults and youth
Interested in connecting about lessons/worskhops? click below for contact form.
tracking / recording fiddle & steel
Looking for some fiddle or steel on your next record? Get in touch HERE. AJ does most tracking from his home studio and can send it to you wherever you are.