Jazz legend Django Reinhardt would undoubtedly give a raised eyebrow in suspicion to find that an American, someone from a nation that he once chided for having nothing but "tin-pot" guitars, would be considered by musicians and critics alike to be one of the greatest interpreters of his gypsy jazz guitar style.
More surprising still is the fact that the same player is considered one of the greatest American rock and country guitarists, a three-time winner of the ACM award for Guitarist of the Year while playing with The Desert Rose Band in the 1980s. His next project, guitar trio The Hellecasters won Best Album from Guitar Player Magazine for their debut release in 1993. He has played with legendary artists in all genres; pop stars Elton John and Bonnie Raitt, country pioneers Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, rocker Bob Seger, singers Barbara Streisand and tenor immortal Luciano Pavarotti to name a few. Honored also as a composer, Jorgenson’s music has been featured on Peter Frampton’s 2006 Grammy-winning CD Fingerprints and in the closing ceremonies of the 2000 Olympics.
The career of John Jorgenson has been incredibly eclectic. His love of music and insatiable creative drive have led him down many paths and helped him compile a dizzying resume along the way. But for the past decade he’s concentrated on his first true love. The music closest to his heart is jazz, more specifically gypsy jazz, a genre that’s seen a major resurgence worldwide in part due to his efforts and amazing talent. Originally assembled to promote the 2004 release Franco-American Swing, The John Jorgenson Quintet has developed into a high-powered concert act, thrilling audiences around the world at such prestigious venues as the Montreal Jazz Festival, and has earned the distinction of being the only American act to headline the Django Reinhardt Memorial Festival in France.
Ultraspontane (J2 Records), released July 24 2007, captures the live excitement of the JJQ on a diverse collection of Jorgenson’s compositions. From the first few notes of this album the listener can tell they’re in the hands of masters. In addition to the Quintet, the Nashville Chamber Orchestra String Quintet is featured on five of the tracks, adding a soaring background to the group’s already dynamic melodies. G-Funk (#6) captures the outstanding interplay between the orchestra and quintet. The additional strings also add depth and grace to the two Django compositions included on the album (#10 and #11). Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me (#5) features legendary big band vocalist Beryl Davis who sounds every bit as lovely as she did when singing with Django Reinhardt himself. Jorgenson’s guitar is equally as tender as her vocals in his interpretation of this jazz standard.
Beryl and I met and hit it off right away.
She is a very charismatic and fun person,
and a true old-school show business legend
with lots of great stories about her incredible career,
singing with the likes of not only Django and Stephane Grappelli,
but Glen Miller and Frank Sinatra too!
I invited her to perform with us at a few festivals,
and the audiences just loved her.
I feel very honored to have been able to include her on this CD.
She still sings as beautifully as she did in 1938! -John Jorgenson
Jorgenson and his Quintet play with a mastery and fluidity that’s hard to believe but very easy to listen to. Ultraspontane will transport you to exotic and joyous places, and leave you compelled to look up the band’s touring schedule (which you will find on www.johnjorgenson.com) while you turn up the volume and press repeat...
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More surprising still is the fact that the same player is considered one of the greatest American rock and country guitarists, a three-time winner of the ACM award for Guitarist of the Year while playing with The Desert Rose Band in the 1980s. His next project, guitar trio The Hellecasters won Best Album from Guitar Player Magazine for their debut release in 1993. He has played with legendary artists in all genres; pop stars Elton John and Bonnie Raitt, country pioneers Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, rocker Bob Seger, singers Barbara Streisand and tenor immortal Luciano Pavarotti to name a few. Honored also as a composer, Jorgenson’s music has been featured on Peter Frampton’s 2006 Grammy-winning CD Fingerprints and in the closing ceremonies of the 2000 Olympics.
The career of John Jorgenson has been incredibly eclectic. His love of music and insatiable creative drive have led him down many paths and helped him compile a dizzying resume along the way. But for the past decade he’s concentrated on his first true love. The music closest to his heart is jazz, more specifically gypsy jazz, a genre that’s seen a major resurgence worldwide in part due to his efforts and amazing talent. Originally assembled to promote the 2004 release Franco-American Swing, The John Jorgenson Quintet has developed into a high-powered concert act, thrilling audiences around the world at such prestigious venues as the Montreal Jazz Festival, and has earned the distinction of being the only American act to headline the Django Reinhardt Memorial Festival in France.
Ultraspontane (J2 Records), released July 24 2007, captures the live excitement of the JJQ on a diverse collection of Jorgenson’s compositions. From the first few notes of this album the listener can tell they’re in the hands of masters. In addition to the Quintet, the Nashville Chamber Orchestra String Quintet is featured on five of the tracks, adding a soaring background to the group’s already dynamic melodies. G-Funk (#6) captures the outstanding interplay between the orchestra and quintet. The additional strings also add depth and grace to the two Django compositions included on the album (#10 and #11). Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me (#5) features legendary big band vocalist Beryl Davis who sounds every bit as lovely as she did when singing with Django Reinhardt himself. Jorgenson’s guitar is equally as tender as her vocals in his interpretation of this jazz standard.
She is a very charismatic and fun person,
and a true old-school show business legend
with lots of great stories about her incredible career,
singing with the likes of not only Django and Stephane Grappelli,
but Glen Miller and Frank Sinatra too!
I invited her to perform with us at a few festivals,
and the audiences just loved her.
I feel very honored to have been able to include her on this CD.
She still sings as beautifully as she did in 1938! -John Jorgenson
Jorgenson and his Quintet play with a mastery and fluidity that’s hard to believe but very easy to listen to. Ultraspontane will transport you to exotic and joyous places, and leave you compelled to look up the band’s touring schedule (which you will find on www.johnjorgenson.com) while you turn up the volume and press repeat...
<- Back to Projects
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Ultraspontane