Mandolin master John Reischman and the Jaybirds bring their legendary bluegrass to Montana Oct. 27-30.
Master of the mandolin John Reischman returns to intimate environs of The Myrna Loy in Helena with his talented bluegrass band, the Jaybirds, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27. The band’s Montana tour also takes them to Bozeman, Billings and Missoula.
Reischman, often called the “mandolin master,” has been lauded by reviewers for his “exquisite technique, tone and timing,” which are “legendary … whether he is playing bluegrass, swing, Brazilian choros or Puerto Rican jibaro music.” He’s also known for his jazz performances.
He and the Jaybirds will be playing “a lot of original material based on traditional bluegrass,” Reischman says.
“We are influenced by old-time music. We also cover some songs by contemporary singer/songwriters,” he says. “So we cover the spectrum from old time, to traditional to contemporary.”
Much of their music will be from the seven Jaybird CDs they’ve recorded, but also some new material that will be on their next recording.
Founded in 1999, the Jaybirds have been praised as “an accomplished, experienced band at the peak of their powers with musicianship of the very highest order.”
Band members include California-based guitarist Patrick Sauber; British Columbia-based vocalist and songwriter Trisha Gagnon; BC-based “spine-tingling” banjo player and composer Nick Hornbuckle; and Washington-based fiddler and songwriter Greg Spatz. Each has garnered their own individual accolades and awards for their solo music careers.
“We’re a good gateway band for those who want to explore bluegrass,” Reischman says. “And after 23 years, we still love playing music with each other.”
John Reischman & The Jaybirds Tour
Helena: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at The Myrna Loy. Tickets are $25 and available at 15 N. Ewing St., and online. For more information, call 406-443-0287.
Bozeman: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at Pilgrim Church. Tickets are $20 each in advance, or $25 at the door to the Bozeman Folklore Society show.
Billings: 7 p.m. Oct. 29 at MSU Billings Cisel Recital Hall; tickets are $25 to the Yellowstone Bluegrass Assoc. show.
Missoula: 7 p.m. Oct. 30 at Longstaff House.