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.

16 MP3 Songs
COUNTRY: Bluegrass, FOLK: Traditional Folk

Show all album songs: The Road West Songs


Details:
John Reischman & the Jaybirds
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.
Their third album, 'The Road West' was released in January of 2005, and features more fresh and dynamic Jaybirds music currently being performed live in concert. " The musicianship is, as ever, flawless." Says the Georgia Straight in Jan/05. 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 is featured on the new 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!
Contact John at 604-761-2754 or by e-mail: johnreischman@shaw.ca and www.johnreischman.com
What do critics say?
About FIELD GUIDE (Copper Creek CCCD 0221; Corvus CR 010):
" One of the finest Bluegrass projects of this year.... You will play this one over and over"
- Bluegrass Breakdown, June 2004
"together they produce music that is seamlessly excellent..."
- Sing Out, Fall 2004
" gorgeous three part harmony..."
- Dirty Linen, Oct-Nov, 2004
"Top notch musicians and singers deliver an unusual repertoire of originals, bluegrass classics and old-time music."
- Top CDs of 2003, Acoustic Guitar Magazine, February 2004
" Great arrangements, and of course great pickin' and singing."
- Rik James, KGLT Bozeman MT
" Great fusion of Old-time/Bluegrass sensibility. Musicianship and arrangements are top notch"
- Janice McLaughlin, WMUB Oxford, OH
"Their instrumental prowess is monstrously good throughout..."
- Joe Ross, Take Country Back Weekly News
About JOHN REISCHMAN and the JAYBIRDS DEBUT RELEASE (Copper Creek CCCD0205; Corvus CR 008):
"...With plenty of variety, a distinct style, an excellent selection of songs, and impeccable musicianship, this album should turn out to be one of the most sophisticated bluegrass releases of the year"
- Dirty Linen
"...Running through each cut on this CD is an extraordinarily high level of selective musical artistry that creates a deceptive simplicity. I don't doubt that each of these folks is a monster talent fully capable of executing dazzlingly complex music, but on this project they are laser-focused on selecting the right number of notes to move the music forward... Whether it's a bluegrass or old time tune, the Jaybirds are exercising tremendous restraint individually and collectively to produce elegant music as a band."
- Flatpicking Guitar Magazine
Selected appearances:

Banff Centre for the Performing Arts, Banff AB
Bitteroot Bluegrass Festival, Hamilton MT
Blueberry Bluegrass Festival, Stony Plain AB
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
Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Edmonton AB
Europeon World of Bluegrass, Voorthuizen, The Netherlands
Founders Title Co. Bluegrass Festival, Salt Lake City UT
Freight and Salvage, Berkeley CA

Kimo Theatre, Albuquerque NM
Mission Folk Festival, Mission BC
Panida Theatre, Sandpoint ID
Portland Zoo, Portland OR
Rockygrass, Lyons CO
San Francisco Bluegrass & Old Time Festival, SF CA
Strawberry Music Festival, Yosemite 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