Skillet Licorice
Overview
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, Skillet Licorice, displays an impressive command of styles and techniques that comes from deep study and loving dedication to America’s folk traditions.
Skillet Licorice is available for private events, parties, weddings, bat and bar mitzvahs, and especially square dances!
Reviews
8 reviews
Libby R.
July 29, 2026Great sound, great to work with
We hired Skillet Licorice to play at a celebration for a public art project in the Glen Park neighborhood of San Francisco. Everyone loved their sound and all members were talented and professional. The band was easy to work with on details and were helpful in bringing a mic set up that we could use for public remarks between sets. They were also flexible in problem solving as rain threatened our outdoor event. Would recommend without hesitation!
Hired as: Bluegrass Band
Sam S.
August 19, 2022Totally fantastic...book them!
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!
Hired as: Bluegrass Band
Megan B.
August 18, 2022So perfect for our wedding!
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!!
Hired as: Americana Band, Bluegrass Band
Kathleen H.
December 6, 2021Waltzes and jigs for my birthday party
Skillet Licorice played a lively set in my backyard. Lovely traditional sounds.
Hired as: Bluegrass Band
Willa B.
October 28, 2021Great music!
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!
Hired as: Bluegrass Band
Booking information
Price range: Contact for rates
Languages: English
Gig length: 50 - 240 minutes
What to expect
Skillet Licorice has performed at festivals and concerts up and down California, Texas, France and Sweden. 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.
As seasoned veteran musicians, you can expect prompt and friendly communication, punctual arrival and wholly professional conduct.
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.
About
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
Additional booking notes
For those occasions when you need a sound system, we offer two options:
1. For small rooms ---Fishman Loudbox Artist 120-watt amplifier ($75)
(link hidden)r large rooms-Bose high fidelity sound system ($300)
If using our sound system, 1 AC power outlet near the band
Past booked events
August 2022
18
Thursday
Nonprofit Event
5:00pm - 7:00pm
•
San Rafael, CA
14
Sunday
Wedding Cocktail Hour
5:30pm - 7:00pm
•
Berkeley, CA
May 2022
07
Saturday
Restaurant/Bar Event
2:00pm - 5:00pm
•
San Jose, CA
December 2021
05
Sunday
Birthday Party
3:00pm - 3:30pm
•
Oakland, CA
July 2017
23
Sunday
Private BBQ
5:00pm - 8:00pm
21
Friday
North Oakland Square Dance
8:00pm - 10:00pm
May 2017
21
Sunday
Topanga Fiddle and Banjo Contest-Main Stage
12:00pm - 1:00pm
19
Friday
Los Angeles Old Time Social
7:00pm - 9:00pm
November 2015
22
Sunday
CD Release Party, San Francisco
7:00pm - 8:00pm
20
Friday
Square Dance
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Set list
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 willing to learn a new tune or two for our clients for special events.
Influences and inspiration
The Stanley Brothers, Gid Tanner and his Skillet Lickers, East Texas Serenaders
Setup requirements
If your event is outside, please make sure we are sheltered from the sun.
armless chairs for the musicians