- Home
- » News and Events
- » Press Releases
- » 2010
- » John Jorgenson to Perform at Music by the Lake
John Jorgenson Quintet Bringing Gypsy Jazz to Music by the Lake
7/1/2010
AURORA, Ill. — The John Jorgenson Quintet, a gypsy jazz ensemble performing dazzling guitar and clarinet work and masterful vocals, will appear in the 10th annual Music by the Lake series on Sunday, July 18, at 4 p.m. in The Ferro Pavilion at George Williams College of Aurora University, 350 Constance Blvd. in Williams Bay, Wis.
Born July 6, 1956, in Madison, Wis., John Jorgenson came to performing early. His mother was a piano teacher, and his father was an orchestra conductor and college music professor. John began to play professionally at the age of 14, but had been playing both piano and clarinet from age 8.
Although best known for his guitar work with bands such as the Desert Rose Band and The Hellecasters, Jorgenson is also proficient in mandolin, mandocello, dobro, pedal steel, upright bass, bassoon and saxophone, in addition to clarinet and piano.
Jorgenson has recorded and toured with many artists, including Elton John, The Byrds, Bob Dylan, Bob Seger, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, Hank Williams Jr., Barbra Streisand, Luciano Pavarotti, Roy Orbison, Patty Loveless and Bonnie Raitt.
In his early 20s, he played music full time at Disneyland, playing clarinet with the Main Street Maniacs (Dixieland), mandolin with the Thunder Mountain Boys (bluegrass), and guitar with the Rhythm Brothers (Django Reinhardt style swing). The three groups were composed of the same four members, who changed costumes and music styles at intervals throughout each day.
In 1993, Jorgenson formed the guitar trio The Hellecasters, with Will Ray and Jerry Donahue. Their debut album, "Return of the Hellcasters," released in 1993, won the Album of the Year and Country Album of the Year awards from Guitar Player magazine. In 1994, Jorgenson was invited to join Elton John's band for an 18-month tour. He remained with the band for the next six years, performing live and in the studio.
Jorgenson has played a prominent role in the rebirth of the gypsy jazz genre. In 2004 he portrayed the legendary jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt in the film, "Head in the Clouds." He continues to perform and tour with his own gypsy jazz ensemble, The John Jorgenson Quintet.
Gypsy jazz, also known as gypsy swing, is an idiom often attributed to Reinhardt in the 1930s. Because its origins are largely in France, it is often called by the French term jazz manouche. Django was foremost among a group of Gypsy guitarists working in and around Paris in the 1930s through the 1950s.
Rhythm guitar in gypsy jazz uses a special form of strumming known as la pompe. This form of percussive rhythm is similar to the "boom-chick" in bluegrass styles; it is what gives the music its fast-swinging feeling. The up-down strum of la pompe must be done extremely fast, regardless of the tempo of the music. It is similar to the grace note in classical music, except that an entire chord is used.
Gypsy jazz is thriving today, with fans and practitioners found all over the globe; the largest audiences are in Europe. The style requires the highest caliber of musician to play it well. The genre has its own set of frequently played standards distinct from mainstream jazz. Many are in minor keys, lending a distinctly dark and modal sound to the tunes that contrast with the up tempo and spirited performance style.
Jorgenson (lead guitar) performs with Doug Martin (rhythm guitar), Jason Anick (jazz violin), Simon Planting (jazz bass), and Rick Reed (percussion).
The Main Stage series continues with:
- Verdi's operatic masterpiece, "La Traviata," onSaturday, July 24, at 7:30 p.m. Christine Flasch, executive director of Music by the Lake, will direct the production to be sung in Italian with supertitles. The performance is supported in part by Young Artist Underwriter Harold Hartshorne, Jr. A special dinner featuring an Italian menu prepared by a guest chef will be available prior to the performance.
- Singer, composer and pianist Ann Hampton Callaway will perform her signature songs in a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald with Jeff Lindberg's Chicago Jazz Orchestra on Saturday, Aug. 7, at 7:30 p.m. This performance is underwritten in part by the generous support of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation.
Sundays at 4 Concerts continue with:
- Verdi's operatic masterpiece opera, "La Traviata," presented onSunday, July 25, at 4 p.m. Christine Flasch, executive director of Music by the Lake, will direct the production to be sung in Italian with supertitles. The performance is supported in part by Young Artist Underwriter Harold Hartshorne, Jr. A special dinner featuring an Italian menu prepared by a guest chef will be available prior to the performance.
- Frank Almond, acclaimed concertmaster of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and renowned violinist, will perform with internationally recognized, award-winning pianist William Wolfram in a stunning duo recital on Sunday, Aug. 1, at 4 p.m. Both are Juilliard-trained soloists. Almond will play a 1715 Stradivarius violin in a spectacular program showcasing the artist in solo and duet repertoire.
The Sundays at 4 Series is underwritten in part by the generous support of the Judith and John Graff Charitable Fund.
The season finale Pritzker Spotlight Concert is:
- Grammy Award winner Peter Frampton on Saturday, Aug. 14, at 7:30 p.m. Frampton, one of the most celebrated artists and guitarists in rock history, has one of the top-selling live records of all time. He received a 2006 Grammy Award for the all-instrumental work, "Fingerprints," and his most recent album, "Thank You Mr. Churchill," is an autobiographical collection. This performance is generously underwritten by The J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Family Foundation.
Single ticket prices for the Main Stage Series and Sundays at 4 Series range from $60 to $15. Seating is available in the Dress Circle, Orchestra, Rear Orchestra and Terrace (varies by performance). Terrace seating is not available for Sundays at 4 Series performances on July 18 and Aug. 1. Outdoor lawn seating is available at all Saturday evening performances for $15 per ticket. Available tickets for the Spotlight Concert are $35 to $15.
For more information or tickets, call 866-843-5200 toll free or 262-245-8501, or e-mail mbtl@aurora.edu. Visit the website at www.musicbythelake.com for secure online ordering.
The 2010 Music by the Lake concert series is generously supported by Platinum sponsors Fairwyn Investment and Development; Gold sponsors Grand Geneva, Keefe Real Estate (Honorary Presenting Sponsor), and Scherrer Construction; Silver sponsors Aurora Health Care, Balestrieri Development and Environmental, Inc., Community Bank Delavan, HGA Architects and Engineers, Lake Geneva Cruise Line and Gage Marine, M&I Bank, Sodexo Campus Services, Voyager Capital Management, LLC, Walworth State Bank, and Wells Fargo Private Bank.
Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. Approximately 4,000 degree-seeking students are enrolled each year on the university's Illinois and Wisconsin campuses, and the university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association to award degrees at the baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels. The George Williams College campus offers 16 academic programs, unique conference facilities, and is home to Music by the Lake and other education and enrichment programs.
Note: Media may download print-quality photos by going to the Music by the Lake press room at www.musicbythelake.com/press.
