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Event
John Reischman and the jaybirds
Years of European and North American tours,
four critically acclaimed albums, two Juno nominations and two Canadian Folk Music Award nominations...little wonder, the buzz around John Reischman and The Jaybirds continues to grow. Like the mandolinist at its helm, the group fashions a stylish, elegant take on bluegrass that is at once innovative and unadorned, sophisticated and stripped-down, happily old-fashioned, yet unselfconsciously new. To see their live show is to believe it. A genial blend of story-telling and side-show humor provides the backdrop to their studied performance of original songs, instrumentals, and newly arranged traditional material.
Hailing from the variegated ranks of the contemporary West Coast acoustic music scene, each of these 'birds has certainly earned his wings: the list of projects they have contributed to over the years is nothing less than a short list of acoustic power houses. Together, their seamless ensemble work makes for one of the freshest, most tasteful band-sounds on the folk and bluegrass circuit today.
With a fourth critically-acclaimed album and expanded touring schedule, John Reischman and the Jaybirds are a top-flight band delivering a truly fresh blend of original songs and instrumentals, old-time heritage, and bluegrass power.
Featuring nine new songs and tunes from all five founding band members, Stellar Jays is the latest in a series of CDs to win rave reviews for a trademark, old-time-infused bluegrass sound that respects tradition while advancing the music. The nomination of Stellar Jays for two 2007 Canadian Folk Music Awards follows praise such as this from Nashville Public Radio: "A masterpiece a fascinating and fresh-sounding collection of tunes that incorporate the best elements of bluegrass and old-time into a killer new sound."
"On the evidence of Stellar Jays, John Reischman and the Jaybirds are in their prime as contemporary bluegrass musicians capable of maintaining and extending the music's legacy," says Billboard.com. Bluegrass Unlimited magazine describes tone-master and composer John as "one of the world's undisputed masters" of the mandolin, a frequent accolade since his days with the Tony Rice Unit and California's Good Ol' Persons. John went on to record two outstanding solo albums and numerous sessions before forming the Jaybirds in 2001 to release a self-titled debut album, followed by the Canadian Juno-nominated Field Guide, and in 2005, The Road West.
"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," Sing Out! magazine says of the superb West Coast ensemble led by John from Vancouver, B.C. "The folks he's playing with are neck and neck with him all the way," Victory Review magazine says of the original line-up: John on mandolin, Jim Nunally on guitar, Trisha Gagnon on bass, Nick Hornbuckle on banjo, and Greg Spatz on fiddle.
Jim is a San Francisco Bay-area veteran of several decades as a leading guitarist, songwriter and high, lonesome singer. Jim appeared with John on the Grammy-winning CD True Life Blues, The Songs of Bill Monroe, is a producer and session stalwart, and plays select dates with David Grisman. Audiophile Audition describes Jim as "one of the best bluegrass tenors working today," with equally impressive speed, clarity and tone as a guitar man.
Chilliwack, B.C.-based Trisha is portrayed by SingOut! as "one of the most versatile" and "irresistible" vocalists in bluegrass, her strong and distinctive style ranging from "mournful and plaintive" to "hopeful and yearning." Trisha anchors what Dirty Linen magazine calls "gorgeous three-part harmonies" and her singing and heart-felt songwriting is complemented by her right-on-the-money bass rhythm.
Nanaimo, B.C.-based Nick has developed his own voice on the five-string banjo, a unique sound with a two-finger roll unlike other contemporary banjo players. "Nick Hornbuckle's banjo can be downright spine-tingling," wrote the L.A. Daily News. "The resonant yet lively Cleo Belle is just right," Bluegrass Now says of the prolific instrumental composer's, original Stellar Jays offering.
Spokane, WA-based Greg is hailed as a "world-class bluegrass fiddler" by Fiddler magazine. Another Stellar Jays instrumental composer with the lightning-fast Bash Bish Falls, Greg's "virtuosic playing is flawlessly delivered time after time," praises Audiophile Audition. His wide-ranging chops have made him a popular West Coast player for years, including stints with the legendary Frank Wakefield, and resophonic guitarist Rob Ickes.
As FolkWax says, John Reischman and the Jaybirds offer "clarity, energy, good ensemble work, classy originals, and an adventurous approach" to the world of bluegrass and folk music along with engaging stage humour in powerful live shows. They are what SingOut! calls " thoroughly professional ensemble with a rare ability to produce music that is simultaneously traditional and contemporary . . . the Jaybirds are a band that continues to hit on all cylinders."
Contact John at 604-761-2754 or by e-mail: johnreischman@shaw.ca and www.thejaybirds.com
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What do critics say?
About Stellar Jays (CORVUS, CR-015):
"Aces in writing, instrumental and vocal departments...a true collaborative effort from this West Coast amalgamation of Canadian and American bluegrass musicians, and worthy of repeated listenings and then some." - The Edmonton Journal
"Though exceptional mandolinist Reischman gets his name out front, this Vancouver-based folkgrass band democratically spreads the spotlight. Bassist Trisha Gagnon's pristine voice lends itself equally well to old English ballads, Civil War soldier's prayers and her own stirring evocations of rural life, for example, and Nick Hornbuckle's banjo work can be downright spine-tingling." - Los Angeles Daily News
"After a few listens to the new CD by John Reischman and the Jaybirds, it's quite apparent that they must have the word tone branded on their instruments and microphones. It's evident in the pure, full, rich sound they get as players and singersa total package that represents this quintet at its finest. Lovers of tone and tunes will find this a CD well worth checking out." Bluegrass Unlimited
"A thoroughly professional ensemble with a rare ability to produce music that is simultaneously traditional and contemporary. It's nearly impossible not to remark that Trisha Gagnon continues to be one of the most versatile (and unheralded) vocalists in bluegrass...the Jaybirds are a band that continues to hit on all cylinders." - SingOut!
"Stellar Jays will knock your socks off. This is the fourth CD by the Canadian Bluegrass band that has been wowing them in Canada and across the US for the past 6 years. Lead man John Reischman could be one of the best mandolin players alive today, and the folks he's playing with are neck and neck with him all the way. Lightning speed and laser precision." - Victory Review
"Stellar Jays is the latest in beautifully articulate and tasteful bluegrass from John Reischman and the Jaybirds. There's an ample supply of strong material. Stellar Jays is a stellar album and definitely recommended." - Bluegrass Now
"John Reischman approaches the mandolin with unprecedented musicality. On Stellar Jays, a skillfully spirited effort, his concept of tone, sense of melody and attention to detail continues to astound not only students of the instrument but the entire contemporary folk community." - Chris Thile
"John Reischman and the Jaybirds know the best new Bluegrass grows from classic roots. Their new CD "Stellar Jays" has all the elements: hard driving instrumentals, lonesome singing, and an excellent cross section of originals mixed with traditional covers." - Tim O'Brien
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Selected appearances:
Banff Centre for the Performing Arts, Banff AB
Bitteroot Bluegrass Festival, Hamilton MT
CBA Father's Day Festival, Grass Valley CA
Calgary Folk Festival, Calgary AB
Canmore Folk Festival, Canmore AB
Capitol Theatre, Nelson BC
Chattanooga Bluegrass Experience, Chattanooga, TN
Coconino Centre for the Performing Arts, Flagstaff AZ
Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival, Woodstown NJ
Down Home, Johnson City TN
Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Edmonton AB
Europeon World of Bluegrass, Voorthuizen, The Netherlands
Freight and Salvage, Berkeley CA
Kimo Theatre, Albuquerque NM
Mission Folk Festival, Mission BC
Panida Theatre, Sandpoint ID
Portland Zoo, Portland OR
River City Bluegrass Festival, Portland OR
Rockygrass, Lyons CO
San Francisco Bluegrass & Old Time Festival, SF CA
Strawberry Music Festival, Yosemite CA
Supergrass, Bakersfeild CA
Universal Chevrolet Bluegrass Concert Series, Cleveland GA
Vancouver Folk Music Festival, Vancouver BC
Walnut Valley Festival, Winfield KS
Winnipeg Folk Festival, Winnipeg MB
Wintergrass, Tacoma WA
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LocationArcata Playhouse
1251-9th St.
Arcata, CA 95521
United States
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