On the Trail: (l-r): Tom Polizzi, Charlie Widmer, Austin Scelzo and Matt Curley Western Connecticut State University Music graduates Charlie Widmer, Tom Polizzi, Austin Scelzo, and Matt Curley are members of the New England-based bluegrass band On the Trail. Their professional success has been impressive, both individually and as a group: Widmer recently was named the Connecticut State Troubadour, and Scelzo was recognized as a 2023 Connecticut Arts Hero. Curley and Polizzi have received accolades and grants as well. Collectively, the band was featured in a January 2025 article, “One to Watch: With Connecticut origins, On the Trail find their way in bluegrass” in The Bluegrass Situation. The group released its first full-length album, “Where Do We Go from Here?” in 2024, and won the 2022 Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival Showcase Competition. It seems apparent that where they are heading is toward even more success, which is not surprising since they all prepared for their professional musical careers at WestConn. This summer, three of the four band members headed to Germany to engage in cultural outreach through high-profile performances and traditional music workshops in Berlin and Hamburg. (l-r): Tom Polizzi, guest artist David Chernack, Charlie Widmer and Matt Curley at the Brandenburg Gate. (photo credit Marton Szilagyi) The recent visit yielded several highlights, according to Widmer. Among them were a photo and video shoot at the Brandenburg Gate, a Bluegrass music and history workshop with high school-aged students at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, and a U.S. Embassy Concert for exchange alumni and transatlantic relations works with opening remarks from Chief of Mission Alan Meltzer. The group performed twice at Europe’s biggest motorcycle festival, Hamburg Harley Days, on the Main Stage. They hosted a workshop and balcony jam session/concert at the Consul General’s home with a local high school band, and an interactive workshop and jam session for high school students at the Bugenhagen Schule Alsterdorf in Hamburg. Another memorable moment was the band’s performance at the U.S. Consulate General Hamburg’s 250th Independence Day Celebration at the BallinStadt Emigration Museum. On the Trail with guest artist David Chernack performs at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin. (photo credit Mark Straus) In his role as the 19th Connecticut State Troubadour through 2029, Widmer intends to leverage his platform to build artistic bridges between New England and Europe. A Swiss/American singer-songwriter with deep roots in Zürich and a heritage that is half Swiss and half Puerto Rican, Widmer believes the tour represents a profound personal and professional crossover. “To represent Connecticut on the world stage as State Troubadour was an incredible honor, but to bring American roots and bluegrass music back to my own European roots made this journey that much more meaningful,” Widmer said. “Music is a universal language. Whether we are performing in a theater in Connecticut or sharing stories in Berlin, the core human experience of performing and songwriting remains exactly the same.” (l-r): Tom Polizzi, Matt Curley, Charlie Widmer and guest artist David Chernak perform at the U.S. Consulate General Hamburg’s 250th Independence Day Celebration at the BallinStadt Emigration Museum. The tour highlighted Connecticut’s vibrant acoustic music scene by showcasing On the Trail. Joining core members Widmer (guitar), Polizzi (mandolin), and Curley (bass) for this international run will be special guest artist David Chernack, a widely respected multi-instrumentalist from the Hudson Valley and close friend of the band, subbing for regular fiddler Scelzo. Together, they served as cultural envoys, sharing the rich traditions of American bluegrass and folk with European audiences. Widmer’s distinct artistic identity — shaped by his diverse heritage and an extensive background spanning soul, traditional roots, and classical music — positioned him perfectly for this cross-border exchange. The Germany tour marked the beginning of an expansive year for the artist, ahead of a highly anticipated 8-track solo album rollout scheduled for later in 2026. For more information, follow www.onthetrailbluegrass.com/ or email pr@wcsu.edu. Western Connecticut State University changes lives by providing all students with a high-quality education that fosters their growth as individuals, scholars, professionals, and leaders in a global society. Our vision: To be widely recognized as a premier public university with outstanding teachers and scholars who prepare students to contribute to the world in a meaningful way.
