The John Jorgenson Quintet

Led by Grammy-winning guitarist John Jorgenson, the John Jorgenson Quintet creates a unique musical experience that equally enthralls the most discerning and the casual music fan. Each member of the group is a virtuoso, yet the music is very accessible, melodic and appealing. The group's style has been called "gypsy jazz" after the dynamic string-driven swing created by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli in 1930s Paris, but Jorgenson's compositions draw in elements from Latin, Romanian, Classical, Rock, and Greek music, so "21st Century World Music" is perhaps a more apt description.

"...dynamic interplay that was as thrilling to observe as it was to hear." - Washington Post

John Jorgenson on NPR's All Things Considered  Click here to listen to the interview.

 

Video Links - The John Jorgenson Quintet


Mediteranian Blues

John Jorgenson - Bio

Led by Grammy-winning guitarist John Jorgenson, the John Jorgenson Quintet creates a unique musical experience that equally enthralls the most discerning and the casual music fan. Each member of the group is a virtuoso, yet the music is very accessible, melodic and appealing. The group's style has been called "gypsy jazz" after the dynamic string-driven swing created by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli in 1930s Paris, but Jorgenson's compositions draw in elements from Latin, Romanian, Classical, Rock, and Greek music, so "21st Century World Music" is perhaps a more apt description.
 
Guitarists (and folks who read liner notes) will be well-acquainted with John Jorgenson as his career has already spanned a few decades and many musical styles. First coming to national attention in the mid 80s as co-founder of successful country-rock act The Desert Rose Band, many diverse artists were drawn to add Jorgenson's  artistry to their own recordings such as Bonnie Raitt, Bob Seger, and Barbara Streisand. In the 90s The Hellecasters gave audiences a chance to experience John's fretboard fireworks in an unrestrained venue and the trio's three original CDs remain favorites of guitarists everywhere. Having been a fan of the Desert Rose Band, Elton John invited Jorgenson to join his band in 1994 for an 18 month tour that stretched into a 6 year stint of touring, recording and TV appearances with the British superstar.
 
2010 marks the 100th birthday of the great gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt. Since discovering Django in 1979, Jorgenson has become "the US Ambassador of Gypsy Jazz" which is quite an honor given the distinctly European slant of the music's heritage. The John Jorgenson Quintet is the only American act to ever headline the prestigious Django Reinhardt Memorial Festival in France, and has been featured at other "Djangofests" in the US, UK, Germany and Canada. For the films "Gattica" and "Head in the Clouds" Jorgenson was tapped to recreate Django's music, and in the latter he even appeared onscreen as Django  with stars Charlize Theron and Penelope Cruz.  
 
Adding to the international nature of the Quintet are Dutch bassist Simon Planting, well-known and respected in the gypsy-jazz community from his tenure with legendary Belgian guitarist Fapy Lafertin, and British rhythm guitarist Kevin Nolan, who along with brother Robin and Planting made up the acclaimed Robin Nolan Trio. Filling out the Quintet are prodigious young jazz violinist Jason Anick (who is quickly making quite a name for himself), and veteran percussionist Rick Reed, renown for his intricate brush work and swinging drive. The combination of these five musicians creates a sound that is equally dynamic, romantic, driving, melodic and accessible.
 
Legends like Elton John, Earl Scruggs and Duane Eddy along with fellow guitarists such as Tommy Emmanuel, Peter Frampton and Brad Paisley will all sing Jorgenson's praises, but the best way to find out what they already know is to experience the magic of a John Jorgenson Quintet performance live yourself!

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Raves and Reviews - The John Jorgenson Quintet


John Jorgenson Quintet review from Anchorage AK

Gypsy Jazz Star now turns to Southeast
By LELAND SMITH

The John Jorgenson Quintet delivered a fantastic Alaska debut performance at the Sydney Laurence Theatre Friday Night... read more!

Leland Smith

John Jorgenson Quintet Yoshi's Review

"........

I've heard a number of sets in the last year by Jorgenson and his impeccable Quintet at Yoshi's. They made me both cheer and cry....."  Read more of this review from the San Francisco Examiner!

Phil Elwood

Y'all Meets Gaul

Read the review from The Washington Post

Buzz McClain

Ultraspontane Review - Etudes Tziganes

Following the excellent "Franco-American Swing" released in 2003, here is the new CD from the quintet of John Jorgenson, respected session musician with a resume as long as your arm, who is also one of the best representatives of Swing Manouche in America...read more!
 

Francis Couvreux

John Sheffler Rave

DATE: Wed, 22 Nov 2006

RE:   John Jorgenson

Trish,
This is way after the fact but I feel compelled to write to tell you how
much I enjoyed the time spent with John on Nov. 10th. You were right,
not only was he a breath-taking musician but one of the nicest people
I've ever had the honor to meet. He was very well received by the
audience and I know the radio audience will be absolutely amazed at what
they'll hear.

If there is ever anything that I can do on his behalf, please let me
know. I've been promoting concerts here in Michigan since 1979. I have
sponsored and recorded over 250 concerts and I would have to put this
show in the top three....and would be hard pressed to determine what
"edged" this concert out.

Thanks again.
John Sheffler
Director of Radio
Central Michigan Public Radio
1999 E. Campus Dr.
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859
989-774-3105

John Sheffler - Central Michigan Public Radio

Purdue Convocations Rave

Hi Trish
I just wanted to follow up on my phone call from Friday to tell you that we’re still flying high here after our date with the John Jorgenson Quintet. I’ve continued to get terrific feedback from deeply appreciative audience members over the weekend. I know I told you that half the house jumped to its feet at the end of the first set and that there was an immediate whole-house standing-o at the end of the second set; our audience was totally into it! The guys, aside from being absolute gems to work with, were clearly in love with our theatre and how warm and wonderful it felt. They called out thanks to the sound tech twice during the show because they were so pleased with how he was making them feel in the room. This mutual energy exchange made for one of those special evenings in the theatre. I can’t say enough about how pleased we are with their impeccable musicianship and taste - - they delivered everything that we could have imagined!
 
John was incredibly gracious and warm during our pre-show discussion about his career and gypsy jazz music. He could see that folks were really enthused to hear him, with all kinds of knowing head nods and applause when he would discuss his work over the years. We have a large acoustic/traditional/folk music scene here, and they were thrilled to have this chance to hear him in this setting.
 
I’ve also gotten terrific feedback from the middle school where the guys did their afternoon session. Again, they were generous with their time and disposition, making us look like heroes for delivering yet another terrific school outreach program.
 
I know that you like to tell great stories about your artists to other presenters during the booking process; please know that we’re more than pleased to visit or communicate with anyone who would like a reference for JJQ. We absolutely LOVE having artists like John and the guys on our season.
 
Again, my thanks to you for all of your support as we put this gig together. We couldn’t be happier!
 
Best,
Todd
 
Todd Wetzel, Director
Purdue Convocations
400 Centennial Mall Dr.
West Lafayette, IN 47907
PH 765.494.9712
FX 765.494-0540
tewetzel@purdue.edu
www.convocations.org

Todd Wetzel - Director

Grand Rapids Ballet Company delivers sizzling performance with 'An Evening with John Jorgenson'

www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/04/grand_rapids_ballet_company_de.html

Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk

Inland Empire Weekly Review

“Smokin’ hot” has been used to describe John Jorgenson’s playing style over the past couple decades. Now the accomplished guitarist (who’s also proficient on nine other instruments) is literally that...Read more.

George A. Paul

Date

Venue

Location

02/26/2010 Swallow Hill Music Hall Denver, CO
02/27/2010 The Ellen Theatre Bozeman, MT
02/28/2010 Machinery Row Great Falls, MT
03/04/2010 Sheldon Community Arts Hanger Talkeetna, AK
03/05/2010 Pioneer Park Theatre Fairbanks, AK
03/06/2010 Alaska Center for the Performing Arts Anchorage, AK
03/20/2010 Dale B. Lake Auditorium Kalamazoo, MI
03/21/2010 World Cafe Live Philadelphia, PA
03/22/2010 Institute of Musical Traditions Rockville, MD
03/23/2010 Stage on Herr Harrisonburg, PA
04/07/2010 Iron Horse Music Hall - Northampton Northampton, MA
04/08/2010 Scullers Jazz Club Boston, MA
04/09/2010 Tupelo Music Hall Londonderry, NH
04/10/2010 Lewis County Historical Society Lowville, NY
05/30/2010 Strawberry Music Festival Yosemite, CA
06/11/2010 - 06/12/2010 142 Throckmorton Theater Mill Valley, CA
06/13/2010 Stacked Stone Cellars Paso Robles, ca
07/18/2010 The Ferro Pavilion (George Wms. College of Aurora University) Williams Bay, WI
08/14/2010 - 08/15/2010 Guitar Town Copper Mountain, CO
09/03/2010 - 09/04/2010 Four Corners Folk Festival Pagosa Springs, CO
09/18/2010 - 09/19/2010 Virginia Wine Festival Centreville, VA
03/30/2011 Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts Cerritos, CA

There are no downloads for The John Jorgenson Quintet at this time.

Artist's Team


Label Info

J2 Records
Jim Cowan
(661) 406-0785

Publicity Info

Kissy Black
Lotos Nile Marketing
615-298-1144
kissyblack@lotosnile.com
http://www.lotosnile.com/marketing