This is the official website for Seattle WA based Bluegrass quartet, Northern Departure.

Forming in October 2008, Northern Departure has quickly taken off in the bluegrass world, and hasn’t looked back. A highly demanded band from the Northwest, Northern Departure provides audiences with powerful instrumentals, soulful and inspiring originals, and a great respect for traditional bluegrass. Over the past few years, Northern Departure has played some of the top venues in music, and have even been recognized for some significant awards. The band has played at both the historic Moore and Paramount Theatres as well as every bluegrass festival in the State of Washington. The band has also played at major festivals in the United States, such as Grass Valley, Wintergrass, Rockygrass, and the River City Bluegrass Festival. Over the past three years, the band has also performed at many showcases in bluegrass’ premier venue – IBMA in Nashville. In 2011, after releasing their first CD, Northern Departure was named the California Bluegrass Association’s Emerging artists of the year.  In 2012, the band placed a close second in the Rockygrass band competition, which is one of the most highly regarded band competitions in the United States.   The band feels as though they haven’t even come close to hitting their peak. With a new energy, recent band personnel and management changes, and a new CD on its way, the future is even brighter for Northern Departure.

"We are extremely happy to announce that Norm Olsen is officially apart of the Northern Departure family as our new guitar player! He has been playing with us for most of the summer and has been doing a FANTASTIC job! We are thrilled to have him in the band! Coming from the small town of South Bend, WA, he is by far one of the best bluegrass guitar players on the Northwest scene!  

Thank you for visiting.

(Norm Olsen)