| John Jorgenson will perform June 22 in BG (Photo provided by artist) |
East Nashville is a
juxtaposition. Amidst the backdrop of the Tennessee Titans stadium, and a little further
west, Music Row and the home of country music, lies this small community that stands as
a cultural and musical melting pot in the middle of Music City.It is no surprise that a
multi-cultural and diverse musician like John Jorgenson has called this part of town his
home for much of the past decade.Much like East Nashville, Jorgenson is an aberration
in a musical world that can often be homogenized, packaged and forgotten in short
order.It is not often that a music writer gets a chance to sit down and talk with a
touring musician before a show. But in this case, work and tour schedules made it
possible for a rare face-to-face interview, and an opportunity to have an extended
discussion about all things music.The first thing to know about Jorgenson, he is
genuinely one of the nicest musicians around. Despite his Grammy Awards, time on stage
with Elton John (six years as lead guitarist) and his internationally celebratory as an
acoustic and electric guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, Jorgenson on stage is
essentially Jorgenson off stage.In many ways that is what makes his music so easy to
connect with. There is a authentic sense that as a musician he loves what he does, and
that he wants you to connect with his music in a way that is personal.Area music fans
will have the opportunity to connect with Jorgenson and his trio during their free
concert at Grounds For Thought on June 22 at 8 p.m. Jorgenson will be joined by renowned
bassist Simon Planting and percussionist Rick Reed.Anyone who has had the chance to see
Jorgenson’s past shows at Grounds or the Black Swamp Arts Festival will tell you this is
a performance packed with energy, diverse sounds and virtuosic playing connected
through, but not limited to, gypsy-influenced swing and jazz (a la Django
Reinhardt)."I will still be doing relatively the same style of music, but it is
going to be just a little different," Jorgenson said regarding the trio format.
"I’ll play more solos and it might be a little bit more experimental. In this line
up you will hear more of Simon. He is a really great bass player and a great soloist
too."Over the past decade Jorgenson has carved a strong niche in the world of
gypsy jazz, helping to revitalize a genre that never went away, but also never really
rose to prominence. While the gypsy style, sound and dynamic serves as his foundation,
Jorgenson and his band weave a tapestry of multi-cultural jazz, blues, folk and ethnic
music."To me the good thing about gypsy jazz is that it is inherently emotional
and melodic and high energy," he said. "As long as we as performers are
connected to it and are putting a feeling behind it, it connects."Jorgenson’s most
recent album with his Quintet, "One Stolen Night" is the perfect example of
his ability to combine multiple styles, sounds and instruments and also a solid
representation of a live show.Named a top 10 album of the year in 2010 by the Los
Angeles Times and Acoustic Guitar Magazine, the album showcases songs that criss-cross
the globe. From the bluegrass and Greek tinged "Kentucky Kastrinos" to the
Middle Eastern influenced title track.Of course Jorgenson’s current musical projects do
not stop with the acoustic gypsy jazz sound.Over the past year he has collaborated with
a number of diverse musicians, including a tour in Scotland with Grammy winning
singer/songwriter Rodney Crowell, and new tours with the Desert Rose Band and the
Hellicasters.This year stands as somewhat of a cross-road for Jorgenson as a musician.
In addition to fresh performances with old groups like the Desert Rose Band, he will be
moving to Ventura, Calif. after a decade in Nashville, Tenn.Jorgenson said he expects
that his musical career will change once he completes his relocation, although he is not
sure how and why.One thing is for certain; his penchant for interesting collaborations,
diverse projects and musical assimilation will not stop."I would still like to
collaborate with different musicians and still learn some different ethnic styles,"
he said. "I feel like I am an open slate for collaboration. I am really open to
whatever life and music has to bring."
