Steve Martin Teams Up With Alison Brown on Kimmel
Steve Martin and Alison Brown brought lively bluegrass energy to Jimmy Kimmel Live’s stage
Image: Instagram
Stern Faces To Bluegrass Smiles
Steve Martin arrived on the Jimmy Kimmel Live stage last night with an expression that could have been mistaken for his classic dry wit. In a now-viral Instagram post (https://www.instagram.com/p/DK_KjCKON9f/), the star shared a candid snapshot alongside Grammy-winning banjoist Alison Brown, quipping, “Stern-faced me and Alison Brown on Kimmel tonight. I lightened up eventually.” Within seconds of taking his seat, Martin’s trademark deadpan gave way to genuine laughter as Brown teased him about his surprisingly forceful pickin’ style. Fans in the studio responded with cheers when the pair traded smiles—and banjo solos—demonstrating that Martin’s serious look was just a clever setup for the night’s musical showcase.
A Banjo Bash On Late Night
The two artists kicked off their segment with a spirited rendition of an original tune from Martin’s latest banjo album, earning enthusiastic applause. Brown’s crisp, jazz-inflected runs provided the perfect counterpoint to Martin’s signature fingerstyle. Jimmy Kimmel himself joined the banjo duo for a brief hand-clapping interlude, joking about needing more practice if he ever wanted to keep up. The chemistry between Martin and Brown was on full display: she leaned into his quips with playful eye-rolls, and he rewarded her expert licks with mock surprise. Viewers watching at home quickly took to social media, praising the unlikely late-night pairing on Twitter—clips from the performance have been retweeted over 5,000 times.
From Silver Screen To Six-string
While Steve Martin first captured audiences with hit comedies such as The Jerk and Father of the Bride, fans who followed his later career know that the entertainer’s passion for the banjo runs deep. Martin often cites Earl Scruggs and Béla Fleck as inspirations; he first picked up the five-string in the 1970s. His turn toward music eventually led to multiple Grammy Awards—including Best Bluegrass Album in 2017 for The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo. Last night’s appearance reaffirmed his status not just as a screen legend but as a bona fide musician capable of holding his own alongside dedicated pros like Brown.
Alison Brown: Grammy-winning Banjoist
Alison Brown brought equal parts virtuosity and warmth to the performance. A trailblazer in her own right, Brown won a Grammy in 1996 for Best Contemporary Folk Album and co-founded the influential Compass Records label. Her credits span collaborations with stars from Taj Mahal to Béla Fleck, and she has spent decades pushing the banjo into new jazz and bluegrass territories. On Kimmel’s stage, Brown peppered her solos with shimmering runs and tasteful slides, offering fresh arrangements that spotlighted Martin’s comedic timing while elevating the music itself.
Social Media Buzz
Within hours of the broadcast, clips of Martin and Brown’s set racked up millions of views on YouTube. Instagram users lauded Martin for showing his “musical chops” alongside his comedic legacy. The host’s own platforms echoed the moment: on Twitter, Kimmel shared a behind-the-scenes photo with the caption, “Two maestros and a banjo—what could go wrong?” Martin’s Instagram comments featured fans tagging friends and joking about starting banjo lessons. The performance also spurred renewed interest in Martin’s album catalog, sending The Crow back up the charts—proof that late-night TV can still spark real-world momentum.
Fans who tuned in last night got a reminder that this comedian’s path from slapstick to six-string is anything but jokey. With Alison Brown at his side, Steve Martin showed that a stern face can be the perfect setup for a standing ovation.
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