Skillet Licorice is the latest project from San Francisco Bay Area roots-music luminaries Elise Engelberg and Matt Knoth. Whether they’re playing hot fiddle breakdowns, slinky blues, sparkling banjo breaks, ragtime or dreamy waltzes the duo displays an impressive command of styles and techniques that comes from deep study and loving dedication to America’s folk traditions. Skillet Licorice is hot, sweet, and just a bit greasy!
Skillet Licorice is available for private events, parties, weddings, bat and bar mitzvahs, and especially square dances!
We hired Skillet Licorice to play our school's community potluck for staff and their families. We couldn't have booked a better act! They are professional, punctual, and most importantly fantastic musicians. The bluegrass sound created such a festive atmosphere, and livened up the whole event is such a great way. Thank you, Skillet Licorice!
We really wanted old-time music at our wedding, and these guys were absolutely perfect. They played as a trio with a fiddle, guitar, and upright base (and switched to a banjo for some songs!) and the music just fit in perfectly with our ceremony in the redwoods. Their version of Elk River Blues for the processional was especially
beautiful. They were also so nice and easy to work with - they had to move locations for the cocktail hour and coordinate with our DJ to make sure they could plug into the sound system, and made it happen without a hitch. I'm so glad we found them and I would absolutely recommend them to anyone!!
Skillet Licorice played a lively set in my backyard. Lovely traditional sounds.
We hired Elise and Matt as a duo to play at two of our Orchard Days events at Filoli Historic House and Garden. They were charming, flexible, and easy to work with - and provided the perfect atmosphere for our visitors enjoying snacks and drinks in the shade. Highly recommended!
We hired Skillet Licorice to play at our wedding in San Francisco, and could not have been happier with our choice. They were prompt & professional, and their music was the perfect soundtrack for our reception happy hour.
Here's the best part: after our original wedding venue was flooded a week before our wedding, we found another venue that involved a 5-minute walk from the ceremony site to the reception. The band helped us turn lemons to lemonade by playing us along in a second line parade from point A to B! That was honestly one of the highlights of the day. (If you've never pranced through the park in a wedding dress accompanied by a banjo and mandolin, I highly recommend it)
The whole band was so lovely to work with from start to finish, and an incredible value for their talents and range of instruments they have mastered.
Skillet Licorice played a wonderful Bluegrass set for the first hour of our daughter’s Bat Mitzvah party. They are very talented musicians and it was a real treat to hear them play. We hired a trumpet playing DJ for the dance party that followed. Skillet Licorice collaborated with the trumpet player to play a fantastic horah at the end of their set!
In addition to being talented musicians, Matt and Elise are also very professional, easy to work with and two really great people. Thank you both for helping us kick off a great party
Skillet Licorice played during the cocktail hour of our outdoor wedding. The music was charming, fun, intimate yet easily heard throughout the garden. The vibe relaxed people and a few people were even dancing a bit. The tunes are classic American Old Time...so lovely and charming. The pieces range from mellow to romping but always maintain that integral charm of old Appalachia--with a sophisticated twist. For just a duo, Skillet Licorice puts out a rounded, warm sound. Additionally, their small size (duo husband and wife) allowed them to sit under a large tree and play in a central part of the garden so that everyone could see and hear them.
Skillet Licorice (Elise and Matt) arrived early to our event and even played some extra tunes based on requests! For any event--big or small--casual or fancy--we give Skillet Licorice our highest recommendation for musical entertainment!
Ann and Matt
Price Range: Contact for rates
Gig Length: 50 - 240 minutes
Languages: English
We perform a mix of rowdy rags and wondrous waltzes from the Roaring 20’s all mixed up with traditional dance music from the coal mines of eastern Kentucky.
Skillet Licorice is equally comfortable playing background music or as a featured performer at your event. We love to play square dances and can easily arrange your dance to be hosted by the finest square-dance callers on the west coast.
As seasoned veteran musicians, you can expect prompt and friendly communication, punctual arrival and wholly professional conduct.
Elise Engelberg (fiddle and banjo) a Kentucky native, began studying classical violin as a young girl. After moving to California, she rediscovered her bluegrass roots and began to play the fiddle. Since then, she has become a sought after fiddler in the Bay Area old time scene. Elise has recorded with the Crooked Jades, The Mercury Dimes and has toured with the Stairwell Sisters. Her love for teaching young children has afforded her a thriving music studio in San Francisco.
Matt Knoth (banjo, guitar and vocals) hails from San Jose, CA where he grew up playing bluegrass music with his father, world-famous radio personality Cuzin’ Al. He is well regarded in the Bay Area for his hard driving rhythm as both guitar and banjo player. When not performing music, Matt enjoys pursuing his love of nature photography & composing soundtracks for documentary films, both real and imagine
2 arm less chairs
If using our sound system, 1 AC power outlet near the band
| August 18, 2022 • 5:00pm - 7:00pm | Nonprofit Event |
| August 14, 2022 • 5:30pm - 7:00pm | Wedding Cocktail Hour |
| May 07, 2022 • 2:00pm - 5:00pm | Restaurant/Bar Event |
| December 05, 2021 • 3:00pm - 3:30pm | Birthday Party |
| July 23, 2017 • 5:00pm - 8:00pm | Private BBQ |
| July 21, 2017 • 8:00pm - 10:00pm | North Oakland Square Dance |
| May 21, 2017 • 12:00pm - 1:00pm | Topanga Fiddle and Banjo Contest-Main Stage |
| May 19, 2017 • 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Los Angeles Old Time Social |
| November 22, 2015 • 7:00pm - 8:00pm | CD Release Party, San Francisco |
| November 20, 2015 • 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Square Dance |
We play a variety of ragtime, early jazz, cajun and traditional American fiddle tunes. If you have a special request, please let us know.
We are always able to learn new tunes for our clients.
The Stanley Brothers, Gid Tanner and his Skillet Lickers, East Texas Serenaders,
If your event is outside, please make sure we are sheltered from the sun.
Denver, CO 
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47 Verified Bookings Tiffany K. B. said “Jonathan was amazing. He is super talented- knows 500 plus songs of many genres. He has the best personality and delivers his music in a fun, entertaining,…”
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71 Verified Bookings Trevor T. said “We booked Tom for an event and he did an amazing job. He is a very talented musician and an all around pleasure to be around. He accommodated some complicated…”
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67 Verified Bookings Tammy B. said “Bob was awesome! So many of my party guests were impressed. Super talented and nice guy. I am definitely going to book him again.”
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