Jorgenson has earned a reputation as a world-class musician and guitarist and has collaborated with the likes of Elton John, Luciana Pavarotti, Bonnie Raitt and Bob Dylan. Both new releases see this legendary musician exploring new elements of world music, bluegrass, rock and classical as Jorgenson expands the range of gypsy jazz, captivating and enlightening fellow musicians and listeners along the way.
One Stolen Night, Jorgenson’s first 2010 release, is the second album credited to the John Jorgenson Quintet, following up on the Billboard Jazz chart success of Ultraspontane. This collection contains a mix of standards and new compositions, with plenty of clarinet and swing, plus a vocal and the addition of the Greek bouzouki into the Quintet’s instrumentation. The Quintet recorded all of the tracks in two days using minimal production, resulting in a "live in the studio" sound that is warm, rich and so crisp that it transports the listeners to an intimate private concert.
The album features a driving rhythm section throughout as Jorgenson creates a classic gypsy jazz feel while pushing the boundaries with his arrangements and melodic content. "Red on Red" opens the album with fanfare and Django-inspired minor key swing, while "Mediterranean Blues" highlights a fiery jam session between violin and guitar. The title track, “One Stolen Night,” presents a captivating melody and showcases the enchanting sound of the bouzouki.
Throughout the album the John Jorgenson Quintet creates a unique musical experience that equally enthralls the most discerning and the casual music fan with a sound that is all at once dynamic, romantic, driving, melodic and accessible.
Jorgenson’s second album release in 2010, Istiqbal Gathering, is the culmination of a long relationship between Jorgenson and Paul Gambill, conductor of Orchestra Nashville, and was recorded live at Ocean Way Nashville and the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Jorgenson and Gambill combined with a world-class team of musicians and collaborators to create the first collection of music specifically composed and recorded for gypsy jazz guitar and orchestra.
Jorgenson’s brilliant guitar work leads the way, supported by the progressive and dynamic Orchestra Nashville. "Concerto Glasso" and "Istiqbal Gathering" feature a full orchestra, the latter showcasing the breathtaking talents of Alexander Fedoriuk on cimbalom and David Davidson on violin. "Dieter’s Lounge" and "Groove in the Louvre" feature the unexpected blend of string orchestra along with the Turtle Island Quartet. The combination is a groundbreaking album full of soaring melodies and driving rhythms, and it is utterly one of a kind.
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 U.S., UK, Germany and Canada. For the films Gattica and Head in the Clouds Jorgenson was tapped to recreate Django’s music, and in the latter he even appeared onscreen as Django with stars Charlize Theron and Penelope Cruz.
Tour dates:
1/08/2010 – Denton, MD – Central Library
1/09/2010 – Vienna, VA – Jammin’ Java
1/10/2010 – New York, NY – APAP Showcase Hilton Hotel
1/11/2010 – Barto, PA – Landhaven
1/13/2010 – Covina, CA – Fret House
1/14/2010 – San Diego, CA – Anthology
1/16/2010 – Culver City, CA- Boulevard Music
1/18/2010 – Indian Wells, CA – The Vintage Club
1/19/2009 – Redlands, CA – The Loft Performance Space
1/22/2010 – South Lake Tahoe, CA – Duke Theater
1/23/2010 – Point Reyes Station, CA – The Dance Palace
2/26/2010 – Denver, CO – Swallow Hill
2/27/2010 – Bozeman, MT – Ellen Theater
2/28/2010 – Great Falls, MT – Machinery Row
3/05/2010 – Fairbanks, AK – Pioneer Park Theatre
3/06/2010 – Anchorage, AK – Alaska Center for the Performing Arts
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
