Jorma Kaukonen's Online Diary

Well, today's ride wasn't bad... only 200 some miles. Tomorrow's is 428 miles to Portland so it's going to bed soon since there will be an early bus call. Anyway, good show at the Cascade tonight and I used the Louis Electric amp for the first time. I need to learn how to use it a little better, but I think it's going to rock. Anyway, here is my set list:

Guitar Blues 25
With
Jorma Kaukonen, Robben Ford
& Ruthie Foster
The Cascade Theater
Redding, California
Saturday, February 28, 2009

Jorma’s Set:
1. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
2. Izze’s Lullaby
3. I Know You Rider
4. I See The Light
5. Come Back Baby
6. Full Go Round

Gotta pull some clothes out of the dryer and hit the sack. Tomorrow is another day indeed.

What a week... busy, busy, busy it was indeed. Tomorrow is a day off... well half a day off, I've got some interviews in the morning. Tonight at our old stamping grounds the Aladdin, the Guitar Blues Company had a great time to a packed house. Here is my part of the action:

Guitar Blues 26
With
Jorma Kaukonen, Robben Ford
& Ruthie Foster
The Aladdin Theater
Portland, Oregon
Sunday, March 1, 2009

1. What Are They Doing In Heaven Today?
2. True Religion
3. I See The Light
4. Living In The Moment
5. I Am The Light Of This World
6. Full Go Round

With Robben, Gabe and Dewayne:
1. Rock Me Baby
2. I Wish You Would
With Ruthie & the Boys
1. You Got To Serve Somebody
With Ruthie and Robben
1. Encore: Don't Think Twice

I used the Louis Electric Amp tonight and I loved it. It's a pretty red color too. More on this later as we become better friends.

Finally, a night's sleep without having to get up.

Well... It's raining here in Northern California... I remember it this way. There is a profound charm to the area of the big trees thought. It is sombre and reflective, especially on a day like today. Yesterday was a long drive from Portland, but we did stop at the Simpson Grove of giant Sequoias. It's been many years since I stopped there. It is still so beautiful.

The show at the College in Arcata went well yesterday although I was tired. Still and all, even tired, this is a great gig. I am starting to get to know the Louis Electric Amp and I think it likes me. Anyway, here is my set list:

Guitar Blues 27
With
Jorma Kaukonen, Robben Ford
& Ruthie Foster
Van Duzer Theater
Arcata, California
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Jorma’s Set:
1. What are They Doing In Heaven Today?
2. Let Us Get Together
3. Izze’s Lullaby
4. Come Back Baby
5. 99 Year Blues
6. I Am The Light Of This World
7. Full Go Round

We are starting to drive to Davis in a few minutes.. so I must run. Later!

I just heard about John Cephas' passing earlier today and I was saddened at the news. He is one of the last of the great older ones. The first time he came to the Ranch I drove to Columbus to pick him up at the airport and we got to know each other as we drove down to Pomeroy together. He was the kind of man who made you feel as if you had known him all your life. He was a righteous soul. He was a great musician... player and singer... but he was more than that. He was a great human being! A mensch for sure... you can hardly say more than that.

Earlier this year he had to cancel his trip to the Ranch for health reasons so we knew that he wasn't doing well. He would never have missed a gig for trivial reasons. I'll miss our occasional meetings John... fair winds and following seas!

Here's a little background on the man:

Subject: Bluesman John Cephas 1930 - 2009

Virginia bluesman John Cephas passed away at his home today, March 4 at age 79. He died of natural causes. He had retired from live performance very recently due to illness. He was the recipient of the Library of Virginia's 2009 African American Trailblazers in Virginia History award just last week. The award meant so much to him. It was one of many awards John Cephas had received of the course of his career.

John Cephas was a very generous man. He gave much of himself to his fans and students. He took so much care to make sure that he was always there for those who loved him. He’d share everything with his friends and family. I always wanted to go fishing with him.

Details about arrangements will be posted on www.piedmonttalent.com when available.

From his website:
About "Bowling Green" John Cephas...
“Bowling Green” John Cephas was born in Washington, D.C. in 1930 into a deeply religious family. He takes his nickname from Bowling Green, Virginia, where he was raised. His first taste of music was gospel, but blues soon became his calling. His grandfather taught him the folklore of eastern Virginia, where his ancestors had toiled as slaves, and Cephas learned about blues from a guitar-playing aunt. But it was his cousin, David Taleofero, who taught him much of what he plays—the alternating thumb-and-finger picking style that characterizes Piedmont blues.

After learning to play the alternating thumb and fingerpicking style that defines Piedmont blues, John began emulating the records he heard. By the age of nine, John was playing for weekend gatherings with family and friends. Music from the ragtime era and early Piedmont artists such as Blind Boy Fuller, Blind Blake, Rev. Gary Davis, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Tampa Red were all influences on Cephas.

As a young man, John joined the Capitol Harmonizers and toured on the gospel circuit. After a stint in the Army during the Korean War, he returned to the United States and went through a variety of jobs that included professional gospel singer, carpenter and Atlantic fisherman. By the 1960s, Cephas was starting to make a living from his music and, since forming a duo with Wiggins in 1977, John has performed all over the world, serving as an ambassador of this singular American art form.

Among his many endeavors, John serves on the Executive Committee of the National Council for the Traditional Arts, and has testified before congressional committees. He is also a founder of the Washington, D.C. Blues Society. “More than anything else,” says John, “I would like to see a revival of country blues by more young people… more people going to concerts, learning to play the music. That’s why I stay in the field of traditional music. I don’t want it to die.”

Cephas received the coveted National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1989. These fellowships recognize those who preserve cultural legacies in music, dance and crafts.

The Mondavi center at UC Davis is a stunning venue. It was a pleasure to play there. This is going to be another short entry... it's a 'day off,' so this means we're driving five hundred miles so this means, I gotta get rolling. Here is my set list from last night. I thought about our friend John Cephas a lot as you can see from the set choices.

Guitar Blues 29
With
Jorma Kaukonen, Robben Ford
& Ruthie Foster
Mondavi Center For The Performing Arts
Davis, California
Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Jorma’s Set:
1. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
2. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
3. Come Back Baby
4. Heart Temporary
5. San Francisco Bay Blues
6. A Life Well Lived
7. Full Go Round

Gotta run...

Sometimes it's the metal skin of an airplane, sometimes a car... for the last six weeks it's been the Eau Claire Express, our bus. Yesterday we spent ten and a half hours in the Express on our way from Davis, California to Olympia, Washington which we shall hopefully reach today in time for tonight's show. Driving up and down the Pacific Coast roads has brought back a lot of memories for me. The environment has always been beautiful out here. The memories of the times are not always so inviting, but that is another story.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this tour, but I look forward to getting home to my little piece of America in Southeast Ohio. My little girl has been growing at the amazing rate that all kids do when they are at that age. I wonder how she will remember me when she sees me. I guess I'll find out.

There is a moment of respite this morning before bus call. I think I'll start repacking... now!

A fine, fine show tonight at the Performing Center here in Olympia. Here is my set list:

Guitar Blues 30
With
Jorma Kaukonen, Robben Ford
& Ruthie Foster
Washington Center For The Performing Arts
Olympia, Washington
Friday, March 6, 2009

Jorma’s Set:
1. What Are They Doing In Heaven Today?
2. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
3. Izze’s Lullaby
4. I Know You Rider
5. How Long Blues
6. I Am The Light Of This World
7. Full Go Round

Another decent night's sleep awaits me. More anon...

Our next to the last gig last night here in Bellingham and another good one for the books. I used the Louis Electric Hundred Watt last night and I loved it. I don't know if the Tuna guys can handle the Hundred... I may have to stay with the Fifty with them, but we'll see... I don't have to turn the big boy all the way up... do I?

Anyway, here is my set from last night...

Guitar Blues 31
With
Jorma Kaukonen, Robben Ford
& Ruthie Foster
Mount Baker Theater
Bellingham, Washington
Saturday, March 7, 2009

Jorma’s Set:
1. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Izze’s Lullaby
4. I Know You Rider
5. A Life Well Lived
6. Full Go Round

Today is going to be hugely busy... Myron and I are flying home from Seattle early tomorrow and everything has to be together this afternoon. I sure have enjoyed this run with Ruthie and Robben and the gang, but it will be great to get home. Onward...

Our last show for this company of folks was tonight at the Triple Door in Seattle. It was an honor for me to be part of this six week project. We all worked hard and did traveled from one side of the country to the other... and more. If I remember correctly, I think that Bob he driver said that we drove over twelve thousand miles. Not bad to do a little picking and singing. Here is my set list for tonight:

Guitar Blues 32
With
Jorma Kaukonen, Robben Ford
& Ruthie Foster
The Triple Door
Seattle, Washington
Sunday, March 8, 2009

Jorma’s Set:
1. What Are They Doing In Heaven Today?
2. I See The Light
3. Living In The Moment
4. I Am The Light Of This World
5. Izze’s Lullaby
6. Full Go Round

With Robben, Gabe and Dewayne
Rock me Baby and I Wish You Would...
I was playing through the Louis Electric again tonight and I thing I have found a new electric voice. Thanks Robben... Thanks Louis... Always something to learn, that's for sure.

With Ruthie and the Men:
You Got To Serve Somebody

And as an encore with Ruthie Me and Robbe:
Don't Think Twice

Robben and Ruthie's sets were stellar and I thought we reached new highs on the ensemble material.

I have to be up an a couple of hours to got to the airport heading for home with Myron, so I'm going to close for now. When I get to breathe a little at Hillside Farm I'm going to write a lot more about the wonderful adventure we all just had. .. anon...

At any age it is good to undertake something a little different. At my age it is, well, quite exciting! I have just spent six some weeks on the Columbia Artist Management Guitar Blues tour and as with so many things in my life, it exceeded my wildest expectations. You get out there on the road and your world shrinks into a microcosm of your normal reality. The rhythm of life devolves into the predictable duties that being on the road involve. The team, Bob the driver, Marya our road manager, Lauren our stage manager, Charles our sound man, Chris and Susan and Bob who got us involved in the first place… top professionals and real nice folks to boot. Of course I’m not forgetting my good friend Myron who has been invaluable to me over the years who kept the gear in top shape for all of us. All I had to do was to play!

And speaking of playing, Ruthie Foster is a magnificent and soulful singer and player. We knew that going in, but what we didn’t know was what a magnificent human being she was. This girl has G_d all over her. Every night she was at the top of her game never uttering a negative word. I was familiar with Robben Ford’s work from a distance, but to get to work night after night with such a dedicated artist is just… a blessing. Gabriel Ford and Dewayne Pate, the rhythm section never let us down and for me to work and play with all these people was quite inspiring. I also discovered the Zen Drive and Louis Electric Amps but that is a story for another time.

The Ranch opens this weekend and I will get to hang out with Steve Kaufman. Next week I’ll be out for a short run with my pickin’ pal Barry who I’ve been missing and we’ll be getting ready for our New York Winery with Larry Campbell.

Well, I have to go to town to pick Izze up at school. I’ll dig in some more tomorrow. Being away from home this long wasn’t fun… but the music was.

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all!

We left the Ranch this morning and headed out to Trenton where tomorrow we will play the War Memorial. I got a chance to play with my Facebook a little on the bus and catch up on emails. As I've mentioned before, the opening weekend at the Ranch with Steve Kaufman was a treat, indeed... Now for some sleep... which will also be a treat!

'We're puttin' the band back together again...' Last night at the Trenton War Memorial, Barry and I played together for the first time in a while, and praise be, it was as if we'd never been gone. Woody Mann hosts this great show and of course, it was another great pleasure to do a couple of songs with him as well. Here is our set list:

Jorma & Barry 1, 2009
Jorma Kaukonen & Barry Mitterhoff
The Trenton War Memorial
Trenton, New Jersey
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

First Show:
First Set:
1. Search My Heart
2. Been So Long
3. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
4. More Than My Old Guitar
5. Izze’s Lullaby
6. I Know You Rider
7. Trouble In Mind
Second Set:
1. Blue Railroad Train
2. Cracks In The Finish
3. I See The Light
4. Come Back Baby
5. Hesitation Blues
6. 99 Year Blues
7. I Am The Light Of This World
8. I Know You Rider
9. Encore with Woody Mann: Search My Heart






Second Show:
First Set:
1. What Are They Doing In Heaven Today?
2. Follow The Drinking Gourd
3. Serpent Of Dreams
4. Heart Temporary
5. That’ll never Happen No More
6. Uncle Sam Blues
7. Candy Man
Second Set:
1. Preaching On The Old Camp Ground
2. Bread Line Blues
3. Sea Child
4. Death Don’t have No Mercy
5. Genesis
6. There’s A Bright Side Somewhere
7. B.B.Q. King
8. Full Go Round
9. Encore with Woody Mann: Let Us Get Together Right Down Here

We're of to Philly in an hour or so to tape World Cafe and then off to Larchmont. This little run looks like it's rally going to be fun. Where is that coffee?

Two big shows at the Watercolor Cafe... grand eatery here in Larchmont. We're packing out of here quickly and leaving early in the morning so I wanted to post this set list before the bus started moving. Here it is:

Jorma & Barry 2, 2009
The Watercolor Café
Larchmont, New York
Friday, March 20, 2009

First Show:
1. Waiting For A Train
2. Candy Man
3. Trouble In Mind
4. There’s A Bright Side Somewhere
5. Sea Child
6. Living In The Moment
7. I See The Light
8. Red River Blues
9. Come Back Babe
10. Hesitation blues
11. Operator
12. Search My Heart
13. 99 Year Blues
14. I Know You Rider
15. Encore: Follow The Drinking Gourd

Second Show:
1. What Are They Doing In Heaven Today?
2. Serpent Of Dreams
3. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
4. More Than My Old Guitar
5. I Am The Light Of This World
6. Nashville Blues
7. Izze’s Lullaby
8. Bread Line Blues
9. A Life Well Lived
10. Watch The North Wind Rise
11. Uncle Sam Blues
12. Full Go Round
13. 9 Pound Hammer
14. Full Go Round
15. Nine Pound Hammer
16. Encore: Just Because

Gotta pack up and get moving... onward!

Another long day yesterday it was. There was a horrible accident on the GW Bridge over there in New York that threw the day off schedule for. At least our lives weren't impacted like the poor folks in that crash. I hate to see accidents like that...

Anyway, here in Pittsburgh we played the Club Cafe last night and had two fine shows... the set list of which follows:

Jorma & Barry 3, 2009
The Club Café
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Saturday, March 21, 2009

First Show:
1. What Are They Doing In Heaven Today?
2. Trouble In Mind
3. I See The Light
4. Heart Temporary
5. Nashville Blues
6. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
7. How Long Blues
8. Preaching On The Old Camp Ground
9. Embryonic Journey
10. Sea Child
11. I Know You Rider
12. Come Back Baby
13. There’s A Bright Side Somewhere
14. Red River Blues
15. Encore: A Life Well Lived
Second Show:
1. Hesitation Blues
2. Operator
3. Serpent Of Dreams
4. Been So Long
5. More Than My Old Guitar
6. Bread Line Blues
7. Trial By Fire
8. Good Shepherd
9. 99 Year Blues
10. The Terrible Operation
11. Genesis
12. Full Go Round
13. Just Because
14. Encore: Water Song

Bus call is in half an hour and we're leaving at 0900 for Ann Arbor so again, this will be brief. Maybe we'll get to stop at Cabela's in Dundee, Michigan. Hmmmm....

Goodness... Here it is my third day home and I still haven't posted the final news from the mini tour with Barry and me. Yikes, this family business sure is time consuming.

As always, I love duets with Barry. It's always just a little bit different from anything else I do and it's always exciting. Vanessa and Izze were with us this time on the bus and well, it was like a Backyardigans Festival. Anyway, here is our set list from the Ark in Ann Arbor last Sunday night:

Jorma & Barry 4, 2009
The Ark
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Sunday, March 22, 2009

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. Candy Man
3. Been So Long
4. There’s A Bright Side Somewhere
5. Serpent Of Dreams
6. Nashville Blues
7. Preachin’ On The Old Camp Grounds
8. Come Back Baby
9. Parchman Farm
10. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
11. The Terrible Operation
Second Set:
1. I Know You Rider
2. Trouble In Mind
3. River Of Time
4. Hesitation Blues
5. Izze’s Lullaby
6. Trial By Fire
7. Good Shepherd
8. More Than My Old Guitar
9. 99 Year Blues
10. I Am The Light Of This World
11. Full Go Round
12. Encore: 9 Pound Hammer

It was a great Picking night for all of us. I love this job. Now, I'm working an another entry which will be logged in later today. I'll be talking about Beppe Gambetta's class at one of our next off site FPR Camps in Upstate New York as well as some other stuff... so stay tuned. I have to help Izze with her Thomas The Tank Engine train set... or maybe she has to help me.

It's our second weekend here at the Ranch and we have Tim Reynolds and Bill Kirchen teaching. Tim is doing a concert here at the Station even as I write, and it's well... Amazing. I've never heard him live before and this is indeed a treat.

Yeah, I know, I've been remiss with the old Diary, but real life has just been trumping the virtual one. I'll be making an effort to get better. In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy this show... which is a great one!