Unity Hall Presents Chris Jones & the Night Drivers

LIVE at Unity Hall
Chris Jones & the Night Drivers
Contemporary Bluegrass
Friday, February 20, 2026, 7:30 p.m.

The award winning bluegrass group, Chris Jones & the Night Drivers will perform at Barneveld’s Unity Hall on Friday, February 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Collectively, Chris Jones & the Night Drivers have won more than a dozen International Bluegrass Music Association awards, and racked up dozens of #1 songs. Recently released singles range from straight-ahead bluegrass tunes to vintage sounding country ballads. “Under Over,” released in 2025, is currently #1 on Bluegrass Today’s Weekly Airplay Chart. Singer-songwriter Jones delivers lyrical introspection and wry humor through his unique but familiar soulful voice.

Chris Jones & the Night Drivers have become popular repeat performers at major festivals such as Merlefest in North Carolina, California’s Huck Finn Jubilee, and the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas. They’ve filled a wide variety of venues around the world, touring across the U.S. and Canada, and all over Europe. Chris is also a popular host on SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction and Willie’s Roadhouse channels, and writes an entertaining weekly column for Bluegrass Today.

Mark Stoffel, Nelson Williams and Grace van’t Hof make up The Night Drivers. Their music is described as “deeply rooted in tradition but never bound to it.”

The warm tone and rhythmic sense of Mark Stoffel’s mandolin playing help define the band’s instrumental sound. Originally from Germany, Stoffel was introduced to bluegrass as a teenager, when he hoped for a ukulele for Christmas but received a mandolin instead. Mark’s tasteful playing, incorporating masterful solos and supportive vocal harmony, earn him his place on today’s bluegrass scene.

Bass player Nelson Williams, hailing from South Louisiana, takes musical inspiration from his home and beyond. He is a founding member of the new Black string band, New Dangerfield, and brings virtuosity in bluegrass, jazz, classical and old-time music to the Night Drivers. Nelson and Chris were part of the all-star studio band for the recent tribute album to Tom Paxton, Bluegrass Sings Paxton.

Grace van’t Hof rounds out the band’s sound with banjo, baritone ukulele, and tenor guitar, as well as vocal harmonies and leads. A founding member of the Grammy-nominated group Della Mae, and of the vintage roots music band Bill & The Belles, van’t Hof counts Jimmie Rodgers and other early country, bluegrass, gospel and old-time musicians among their influences. Grace’s driving banjo style is inspired by masters such as Ron Block and Jim Mills.

An evening with Chris Jones & the Night Drivers promises some of the most distinctively elegant yet driving bluegrass music heard anywhere today. They deliver original music with tight arrangements, emotional authenticity, and engaging humor. As banjo player Steve Martin says, “Chris Jones’ voice is there with the great masters,” adding that the Night Drivers are “some of the best players in bluegrass.”

Details and tickets for this event are available at https://www.unityhall.com/chris-jones.

Unity Hall members can purchase tickets for $25 and enjoy early seating. Tickets are $30 for non-members. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.  An accessible entrance is at the rear of the building, and the concert will be simulcast to the first floor for those who can’t maneuver the stairs to the upstairs theater.

About Unity Hall

Built in 1896, Unity Hall is a historic performing arts space in Barneveld, NY, that has served as the cultural heart of its community for more than 125 years. Operated by the non-profit Unity Hall Foundation, the venue presents a year-round calendar of concerts, theatre, workshops, and community programs.

This event is made possible through the support of Unity Hall Foundation members, the Community Foundation and funding from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant initiative of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, administered by CNY Arts. For more information about Unity Hall events and membership, visit www.unityhall.com, follow us on Facebook at HistoricUnityHall, or check out our Instagram at unityhallbarneveld.