Charlie Torch represents a compelling blend of musical heritage and fresh talent in the bluegrass tradition. The band unites two generations of musicians, creating a sound that honors traditional roots while carving its own distinctive path through bluegrass, country, and mountain music.

Jasper Manning (mandolin) is a Bay Area bluegrass musician with a deep love for the music, community, and jamming. He can usually be found with a mandolin in hand long after sets are over at all the festivals throughout Northern California. In addition to Charlie Torch, Jasper performs with Redwood Flat and leads the Jasper Manning Band, a project centered around his original songs. He has performed at festivals and venues including DelFest, High Sierra, Grass Valley Father's Day Festival, Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival, Jerry Day, and Sweetwater Music Hall. Outside of performing, Jasper teaches at his family's music school, Manning Music, and is heading into his 4th year at UC Berkeley, where he is double majoring in Math and Physics.

Jayna Manning (guitar) has been immersed in music since childhood. Her vocal style is rooted in country tradition while drawing from a wide range of influences to create a fresh, distinctive sound. In addition to guitar and singing, Jayna plays fiddle, dobro, and clawhammer banjo and is also an accomplished visual artist. She teaches fiddle and guitar at her family's music school, Manning Music, and is heading to college this fall.

Chad Manning (fiddle) is a cornerstone figure in the bluegrass community, bringing decades of professional experience at the highest levels. His storied career includes extensive tours and recordings with some of the most respected names in acoustic music. Chad has been a longtime member of the David Grisman Sextet, the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, and Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands. He has shared stages with bluegrass legends such as J.D. Crowe, Curly Seckler, Tony Trischka, and Jody Stecher, and continues to perform with Peter Rowan and the California Bluegrass Reunion Band.

Tyler Stegall (banjo) bridges traditional and contemporary bluegrass through his driving and colorful playing style. Developed through his work with The High Water Line and Solid Gold Stranger, his approach brings fresh energy and rhythmic precision to the Charlie Torch sound. He has appeared at a number of notable venues and festival stages including Sierra Grass, Grass Valley Father’s Day Festival, Parkfield Bluegrass Festival, The Deluxe, and more. Tyler remains one of the most sought-after banjo players in the San Francisco Bay Area. When he’s not on the stage, Tyler teaches banjo in San Francisco and at Manning Music. He is also an accomplished designer, currently working as a consulting lead designer on the popular “Strum Machine” music learning app.

Mark Schatz (bass) is a true legend of bluegrass and a defining force in acoustic music for decades. A two-time IBMA Bass Player of the Year, his playing can be heard on countless recordings that have shaped the genre. Mark has recorded and toured with Béla Fleck, Tony Rice, John Hartford, and Nickel Creek, among many others. Beyond bass, he’s also an accomplished clawhammer banjoist and Southern Appalachian clog dancer, bringing not only world-class musicianship but a living connection to the deepest traditions of bluegrass.

Charlie Torch’s music draws deeply from traditional roots, offering a grounded sound shaped by decades of collective experience but unpretentious in delivery. The band blends elements of bluegrass, country, and mountain music into an honest, well-crafted expression that respects the past while quietly forging its own path forward.