If it’s bluegrass, country and oldtime music that you hanker after, then John Reischman and the Jaybirds are the players for you.
A top-flight band delivering a truly fresh blend of original songs and instrumentals, old-time heritage, and bluegrass power, these musicians will be on fire for your toasty enjoyment on Dec. 4 at the Big Yellow Merville Hall.
Celebrating the release of Vintage & Unique, their fifth album, they’ll highlight songs from the new album where once again they have recorded a collection of songs that showcases what they do best. They go back to the roots of bluegrass and oldtime music for their inspiration, and spin these roots into a new sound.
“Vintage & Unique has everything one could ask for in a great bluegrass recording; Exciting new originals, a couple of great traditional numbers, razor-sharp picking, and strong, distinctive singing. And of course any opportunity to hear the best bluegrass mandolin player in the business is just icing on the cake.” — Scott Tichenor, Mandolin Cafe.
On Vintage & Unique, you’ll hear the Jaybirds cover songs and tunes from Bill Monroe, Hobart Smith, and Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard.
The real gems of the album are the band’s originals. While these songs and tunes are clearly informed by the tradition, John Reischman and the Jaybirds have an eclectic creativity that guides their refreshing excursions in acoustic roots music. Throughout, the bluegrass harmonies are spot-on, and each instrumental break crackles with energy.
Their live show at the Merville Hall will feature their studied performance of original songs, instrumentals, and newly arranged traditional material. Add to that the fun of watching the Jaybirds skillfully weave around one microphone and the often-humorous exchanges as the next song is introduced, and you’ve got a very entertaining experience.
Opening for the Jaybirds will be local fiddle whiz Trent Freeman, a recent graduate of Boston’s Berklee College of Music. Trent has toured with bluegrass bands in the southeastern and northwestern United States, and this September did a tour as fiddler with the Wailin’ Jennies.
Trent, based in Vancouver, has been busy recording his latest tunes at Dove Creek Studios and, in the new year, is planning on making the promotional record tour to Toronto, Montreal and New York. So now is your chance to catch this hot young fiddler in your own backyard.
Advance tickets for the Dec. 4 performance in Merville are sold at Long & McQuade, the Music Plant, Bop City or call Craig at 250-339-4249.
For more about the band, see www.thejaybirds.com.
— Merville Community Hall