John Jorgenson Quintet creates a unique musical experience that equally enthralls the most discerning and the casual music fan. Jorgenson’s compositions flawlessly blends an authentic Gyspy Jazz style with elements from Latin, Romanian, Classical, Rock and Greek music. The Quintet is comprised of Jorgenson (acoustic guitar, bouzouki, clarinet, vocals), Jason Anick (jazz violin), John Jarvis (piano), Simon Planting (bass) and Rick Reed (percussion). 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.
MEMBERS OF THE QUINTET
Grammy-winning guitar virtuoso and multi-instrumentalist, John Jorgenson has earned a reputation as a world-class musician who has collaborated with the likes of Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Luciano Pavarotti and Bob Dylan. Jorgenson is perhaps best known for his guitar work with bands such as the Desert Rose Band and The Hellecasters. Audiences are awestruck by not only his skillful guitar playing, but also his solo clarinet, bouzouki and vocal performances as well.
While a member of the Desert Rose Band, Jorgenson won the Academy of Country Music’s “Guitarist of the Year” award two consecutive years. He was invited by Elton John to join his band for an 18 month tour that turned into a six-year stint, in addition to collaborations with other artists such as Sting and Billy Joel. Jorgenson has become “the US Ambassador of Gypsy Jazz” and he continues to honor the legacy of Django Reinhardt by bringing his unique brand of Gypsy Jazz to the masses with his John Jorgenson Quintet.
Jorgenson continues to expand his dynamic range of musical offerings, exploring new elements of world music, bluegrass, rock and classical as he captivates and enlightens fellow musicians and listeners along the way.
Jason Anick is a prodigious jazz violinist and one of the youngest instructors at Boston’s Berklee College of Music, Anick is considered “a rising star in the world of jazz violin and mandolin” according to Downbeat Magazine. In addition to leading his own contemporary jazz ensemble and performing with the Rhythm Future Quartet, Anick has also shared the stage with an array of artists like Stevie Wonder, Tommy Emmanuel, The Jim Kweskin Jug Band, John Sebastian, Delta Rae, and Girls, Guns and Glory.
Simon Planting is a dutch bassist well-known and respected in the gypsy-jazz community from his tenure, joined John Jorgenson Quintet in 2009. He performed in concerts and festivals around the world compiling an impressive discography with artists like Mathilde Santing, Fapy Lafertin, Jimmy Rosenberg, Stephane Wrembel, as well as several Gypsy Jazz tributes and compilations. Simon also toured in a band with his former classmate Reiner Voet of the Gypsy Jazz duo Pigalle 44.
Rick Reed is a veteran percussionist, renowned for his intricate brushwork and swinging drive, received a “Best Drummer of the Year” nomination at the Martin Reggae Music Awards. His natural talent and dedication led him to collaborations and numerous endorsements throughout the years including Zildjian, DW “Drums in” and grammy winner Shelby Lynne, who chose him for her “Tears, Lies and Alibis” album. Rick has also performed and recorded with award-winning banjo player Alison Brown, blues/slide guitar master Rick Vito, Ray Davies of the Kinks, Jennifer Niceley, UK singer-songwriter Clive Gregson, and Leslie Tucker.
Session pianist and keyboardist John Jarvis has performed on countless rock and country albums since the mid-70’s, having collaborated with musicians such as Rod Stewart, Vince Gill, Art Garfunkel, Delbert McClinton, and Chet Atkins, among many others.
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