Gaven Largent (born 1996) is a banjo and Dobro player from Winchester, Virginia. He is best known on the Dobro, where he won the IBMA’s top award in 2024. He has also played banjo in two national bands that used him on Dobro as well. This page covers his banjo work. His Dobro work has its own page.
Why Largent matters
Largent has held both the banjo and Dobro jobs in two touring bands. Michael Cleveland hired him for both in 2015, and Dailey and Vincent later used him on both.
Life and career
Largent grew up in Winchester, Virginia. He started on guitar at age eight. He took up the Dobro next and added the banjo after that. He learned in his grandfather’s band and then played with regional groups.
In February 2015, at 18, he joined Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper on banjo and resonator guitar. Later that year he moved to Blue Highway as their Dobro player. After about three years there, he joined Dailey and Vincent, again on both Dobro and banjo.
Playing style
When Cleveland hired him, he said Largent had his own style on both banjo and Dobro. Cleveland also said Largent “knows when to play and when not to.”
Influences and legacy
Largent learned with his grandfather, Max Largent, before he joined regional bands. In Flamekeeper he played banjo beside fiddler Michael Cleveland.
What to learn from Largent
Largent moves between banjo and Dobro in the same band. If you play both, learn one tune on each. Start with the melody on the Dobro, then find the same notes inside a banjo roll.
Sources
Gavin Largent to Flamekeeper, Bluegrass Today Gaven Largent to Blue Highway, Bluegrass Today Gaven Gravy Largent, Bluegrass Unlimited Gaven Largent ‘14, OneHandley Gaven Largent profile, VOA News (2009)
Related players
See the banjo players hub and the Dobro players hub. Largent also has a page among the Dobro players. Justin Moses is another player who has worked on both banjo and Dobro.