|
|
| INTERVIEWS ARCHIVES RESCHEDULED |
 |
Name: John Reischman
Group: John Reischman & The Jaybirds
Date: Thursday April 17th, 2008
Time: 7:00pm EDT
Website: www.johnreischman.com
Interviewer: Terry Poirier
Description:
Four years of touring across North America and Europe, three critically-acclaimed albums and a Canadian Juno nomination have established John Reischman and the Jaybirds as one of the top-flight bands in bluegrass music.
With a unique traditional sound, the mandolin master and his band are known for powerful original songs and instrumentals, soaring vocals and refreshing interpretations of songs from the old-time repertoire presented with their own bluegrass twist.
The third album, THE ROAD WEST was released in January of 2005, and is already getting great reviews. "Any argument about John Reischman & the Jaybirds being a leading bluegrass band can be settled by listening to their exceptional third album, The Road West." says Billboard Magazine, with The Georgia Straight adding," The musicianship is, as always, flawless". The new album follows the outstanding “Field Guide” (Copper Creek CCCD 0221; in Canada, Corvus CR 010) nominated in the 2003 Juno awards for best roots and traditional group, and selected by Acoustic Guitar magazine as one of the top CDs of 2003.
Critical praise abounds for the Jaybirds under the leadership of John, now based in Vancouver, British Columbia and well known to acoustic music fans for his brilliant mandolin work with the Tony Rice Unit, California’s Good Ol’ Persons, on two outstanding solo instrumental albums and numerous sessions.
“Though Reischman is the leader and front man, he gives each of them plenty of room to shine, and together they produce music that is seamlessly excellent and rewarding . . . this is a really good band,” Sing Out!” magazine says of “Field Guide” in its fall 2004 edition.
“Top-notch musicians and singers deliver an unusual repertoire of originals, bluegrass classics, and old-time music,” enthused the February, 2004 edition of Acoustic Guitar magazine.
In addition to John, the Jaybirds include highly regarded veterans Jim Nunally on guitar and vocals, Trisha Gagnon on bass and vocals, Nick Hornbuckle on banjo and Greg Spatz on fiddle.
Jim, from the San Francisco Bay area, has established himself over two decades as a versatile guitarist with wonderful tone, speed and clarity. The vocalist, composer and producer appeared with John on the 1997 IBMA Award and Grammy-winning CD “True Life Blues, the Songs of Bill Monroe”. Jim is in demand as a session musician and featured on the David Grisman/Sam Bush album “Hold On, We’re Strummin’.”
Chilliwack, B.C.-based Trisha Gagnon has a strong and distinctive lead voice anchoring what Dirty Linen magazine calls “gorgeous three-part harmonies” in its Nov., 2004 edition. “Whether harmonizing or taking the lead on startlingly good material . . . Gagnon’s voice is irresistible,” adds Sing Out! Trisha’s singing and composing is complemented by her strategic attack and decay on the bass, underpinning the band’s tight delivery.
Seattle’s Nick Hornbuckle is widely considered to be the Pacific Northwest’s leading traditional banjo stylist. Nick has contributed several outstanding numbers to the Jaybirds’ songlist. “Arrowhead is an instrumental achievement, . . don’t be surprised to hear Arrowhead work its way into the jamming lexicon.” “ . . .Holy Jumped Up is another example of Hornbuckle's importance to the ensemble. He could have chosen to be as flashy and licks-oriented as any other banjoist, but he focuses instead on the best possible notes for the song he's playing.” says Bluegrass Breakdown, CBA Newsletter, in June, 2004.
Fiddler magazine describes Spokane’s Greg Spatz as a “world-class bluegrass fiddler.” “. . .it’s the fiddle work that makes this song!” boasts Wayne Bledsoe, of KUMR. His distinctive, bluesy tone and wide-ranging style have made him a popular West Coast player for years; his lengthy performing resume includes stints with the legendary Frank Wakefield, California’s High Country and resophonic guitar wizard Rob Ickes.
John Reischman and the Jaybirds offer a blend of vintage gems, original vocal songs and trademark original instrumentals – variously bluesy, hard-edge and haunting – that make them one of the most interesting bands on the circuit today. Their virtuosity, inspiring material and heartfelt vocals generate a live performance not to be missed!
|
|
|
|
|
