Carnegie Lecture Hall, Oakland
December 6
7:30 p.m.
Bluegrass fans should not miss this weekend’s featured concert presented by Calliope–The Pittsburgh Folk Music Society.
Multi-talented guitar virtuoso John Jorgenson brings his all-star bluegrass ensemble, the John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band (dubbed J2B2), to Oakland’s Carnegie Lecture Hall, for a night of uplifting music on Saturday, December 6th.
After working as a freelance musician in Southern California, including a residency at Disneyland, Jorgenson met legendary Byrds co-founder Chris Hillman, and the pair formed the popular country rock-flavored Desert Rose Band. In 1990, Jorgenson went on to form the Nashville guitar group, Hellecasters, and then followed that up with six years as a member of Elton John’s touring band.
Joining Jorgenson to round out J2B2 is a group of acclaimed and accomplished musicians, who all have celebrated careers as sideman along with an impressive roster of credits: legendary vocalist and banjoist Herb Pedersen (The Dillards, Old and In the Way, Laurel Canyon Ramblers), guitarist and singer Jon Randall (Nash Ramblers) and bassist Mark Fain (Kentucky Thunder).
Born in Madison, Wisconsin in 1956, Jorgenson has recorded and toured with numerous musical luminaries, including Bob Dylan, Bob Seger, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, Barbra Streisand, Luciano Pavarotti, Roy Orbison and Bonnie Raitt. During his time with the Desert Rose Band, he won the Academy of Country Music’s Guitarist of the Year Award three consecutive years. In 2008, Jorgenson nabbed a Grammy for Best Country Instrumental with Brad Paisley, and also received a Grammy nomination for Best Bluegrass Album with Earl Scruggs.
Proficient on a wide variety of instruments–including the mandolin, Dobro, pedal steel guitar, piano, upright bass, clarinet, and saxophone–
Jorgenson even portrayed famed gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt in the 2004 feature film, Head in the Clouds.
Purchase tickets. On the day of the show, tickets will be available at the box office.
