RAFE STEFANINI was born in Italy, and has lived in the US since 1983. His love for Old Time music brought him here first as a visitor in the late 70s, then as a permanent resident. Since then he has established himself as one of the foremost interpreters of fiddle music from the South. His dynamic and elegant fiddle and banjo playing was featured in some of the best bands to appear on the scene.
His first band was in Italy, with his brothers Bruno and Gianni. THE MOONSHINE BROTHERS, as they were called, gained a reputation as inarguably the best Old Time group in the rather small Italian folk scene. They performed throughout Italy and appeared in a couple of recorded collections.
After his move to the US, Rafe formed a new band, THE WILDCATS, with Stefan Senders on banjo and vocals, Carol Elizabeth Jones on guitar and vocals, and himself on fiddle. Between 1985 and 1990 the group released two much acclaimed cassettes, OLD TIME MUSIC and ON OUR KNEES, and performed at numerous music events nationally and internationally. In 1989 The Wildcats were selected by the United States Information Agency to tour Southeast Asia, appearing before enthusiastic audiences in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei.
In 1990 Rafe teamed up with Bruce Molsky and Dirk Powell to form The L-7s, a power trio that featured twin and sometimes triple fiddling. Upon Dirks departure from the band in 1993, Beverly Smith joined on guitar, fiddle and vocals. The band then changed its name to BIG HOEDOWN, and released a CD on Rounder Records by that name, featuring Rafe on fiddle and banjo. They toured the US extensively, reaching Germany, Switzerland and Finland, appeared on Garrison Keilor's "A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION" and were a staple at dances and music camps.
In 1995 Rafe and Bob Herring recorded a wonderful collection of Old Time music, OLD PAINT, which featured the two fiddling friends backing each other up on 22 fiddle tunes.
In 1999 Rafe released his first solo recording, a CD named HELL AND SCISSORS on County Records. It was voted best of 1999 by The Roanoke Times, received favorable reviews nationwide, and was one of the top 10 titles sold by County.
His second County CD, GLORY ON THE BIG STRING, another collection of standard and unusual fiddle tunes, was recorded in 2001 and it too soared to the top of the Old Time music charts
After BIG HOEDOWNs breakup in 2000, Rafe regrouped with Beverly, John Herrmann and Meredith McIntosh to form THE ROCKINGHAMS, with whom he is playing at the present. They have a CD, SHOUT LULU, featuring dance tunes and songs.
Rafe's most recent CDs are BLUEGRASS MEADOWS, a collection of standard and rare solo fiddle tunes, and a second recording with Bob Herring, FRESH COAT.
One more CD, LADIES FANCY has just been released, and sees Rafe returning to the County Records label.
He is currently performing solo on banjo , fiddle and songs, and with his wife Nikki and daughter Clelia as "Nine Pound Hammer".
Also in the making is a trio with Jim Collier and Joe Newberry, THE GREY EAGLES.
Rafe is available for concerts, dances and workshops.
