Interview With Jazz Guitarist John Jorgenson
Django Reinhardt Style Gypsy Music Star of His Eclectic Repertoire
Having worked in the music industry for many years John Jorgenson is now able choose what music he plays. And he is returning to his classical roots on a project with Orchestra Nashville. But he continues to enjoy his electric country, folk and rock roots, touring the UK with John Jorgenson and Friends.
And of course, his John Jorgenson Quintet is hard at work on another gypsy jazz CD. In an interview with Suite101, Jorgenson talks about everything from playing his first gig at Disneyland to the growing interest in gypsy jazz.
John Jorgenson’s Eclectic Musical History
In conversation with Jorgenson, the word eclectic comes up regularly. As a child John was classically trained in music, mastering piano and clarinet by the time he was eight. He then taught himself to play guitar, which resulted in one of his first gigs, in a bluegrass and Dixieland group at Disneyland.
After Disneyland Jorgenson went on to form the country rock Desert Rose Band. The Hellecasters, a virtuoso guitar trio followed. A chance to spend 18 months playing in Elton John’s band resulted in a six year gig for John.
Many Musical Styles Interest John Jorgenson
When asked what music he listens to himself, the answer, typically Jorgenson, was an eclectic mix. The list ranged from Django Reinhardt (no surprise there) to world music to classical to Franz Ferdinand to the 60s folk sound of the Seekers.
Jorgenson speaks with genuine amazement at his own musical career, saying he has been lucky to play with many of the innovators of various sounds. John Jorgenson has played swing with Benny Goodman, country with Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, folk music with the Byrds and Bob Dylan, bluegrass with Earl Scruggs and, of course, pop with Elton John.
While the John Jorgenson Quintet takes center stage for much of the year these days, John continues, as he puts it, to express other aspects of his musical personality. John Jorgenson and Friends, an electric band plays dates around the UK. And he is very excited about a project with Orchestra Nashville where his classical training comes into play.
Keeping Gypsy Jazz Alive
When asked if he felt he was keeping gypsy jazz alive Jorgenson replied,
“I feel like the music IS alive. It stays alive. My goal is to broaden it and keep it progressing.”
Jorgenson was introduced to the music of Django Reinhardt in 1979 and fell in love with it. He practiced for hours, purely for his own enjoyment, never dreaming he’d be able to make a living playing gypsy jazz. He is surprised and pleased with the resurgence of interest in gypsy jazz in North America.
The internet, Jorgenson feels, has helped make more types of music readily accessible to more people. Today there are at least ten Django Festivals in North America alone and interest in gypsy jazz continues to grow.
The John Jorgenson Quintet is working on their next gypsy jazz CD, a follow up to the innovative UltraSpontane, which broke from the more traditional sound of the Franco American Swing CD. The upcoming CD will feature Greek and New Orleans style jazz elements and vocals and clarinet by John himself.
John Jorgenson describes gypsy jazz as a blend of aspects of many types of music. He points out that it has the feel of swing, the energy of rock and the improvisation of jazz with string elements akin to bluegrass and a virtuosity like that of classical music. One can’t help looking forward to more of Jorgenson’s interpretation of that unique musical blend.
Gypsy Jazz Guitar Virtuoso John Jorgenson
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