State of Jefferson

Artist Information

Biography

Recently the group performed and recorded with Joe Craven, formerly of the David Grisman Quintet.
From Seattle to San Fransisco and all points in between, State of Jefferson has really been covering some ground. The bands even been cruisin' off to the Hawaiian Islands for the last six years. They've been soaking up some sun in the winter months, working on their chops, and performing with some of Oahu's premier musicians and artists such as Sashamon, Maacho and the Cool Connection, and Kapono Haines and "King" Isaac Kamaile.
Be sure to check out the State of Jefferson in 2012. The band will be performing throughout the State of Jefferson as well as performances in and around the west coast festival scene as well as hosting their own festival series. Look for them at the Seattle Hempfest, Portland Hempstalk, Takilma Treehouse 4th of July Bash, Jefferson State Music Festival events, The Summit Stage and Saloon, and many other fine venues.

The SOJ also hosts FREE, annual, community music festivals in southern Oregon each August. They have emerged as the regions premier live music and entertainment resource network. For more information on JS Music Fest events please visit us on the web at http://jeffersonstatehempexpo.com

For information regarding our full service back line services please visit http://southernoregonbackline.com

"We would like to thank everyone that has been involved with State of Jefferson throughout this musical journey for their support. The love, blessings, and encouragement we receive from all of the people we meet is enlightening to us, and keeping us young throughout the years, as well as showing all of us that we are on the right track." Iggy Jefferson

Instrumentation

Joe Ginet- Vocals, Guitars, Mandolin, Harmonica's, other miscellaneous strings, reeds, and devices

Mickey Stevens- Vocals, Guitars, Trumpet

Erik Vestnys- Organ, Synthesizer, Samples, Vocals

Ryan Redding- Bass, Vocals

Drums- Iggy Jefferson

Guest appearences and specialty instrumentation can be arranged upon special request.... i.e. Horn Section, Violinists, Dobro, Banjo, African Drummers and Tribal Dancers, etc.
The State of Jefferson band will back up just about any competant artist and are prepared to travel.
Here's a short list of artists the State of Jefferson has backed: Maacho, M.C. Mystic, Marko, Alcyon Massive, Iwill, Jim Mathiesin of the Herbivores, Water, Jewish Cowboy of the Humboldt Kings, Frankie Hernandez, Ed the Whistler, Darian, Mark Wonder, and many more.

Thankyou's are deserved to the seemingly countless number of musicians who have performed with and contributed to the group:
A couple of key players to be thanked are
Duke Davis
Michael St. John
Mitch
Mike Forney
Mathew Wells
Kapono Haines
Salam
....... and so many more

Discography

Live on KTUH Hawaii 2006
Hooserdrumi 2011

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Southern Oregon Backline
• Jefferson State Hemp Expo
• State of Jefferson Reverb Nation Profile

Audio

• Lies
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• Two is Betta
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• Walkin' Man
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• What Then
  Listen  

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Rogue Valley based band brings all that is groovin' to its live shows. [+ Show ]
  

  January 09, 2009 By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune Good music is the impetus behind the State of...January 09, 2009
  
  By Laurie Heuston
  Mail Tribune
  Good music is the impetus behind the State of Jefferson, a Rogue Valley-based band known for its diverse style. The group plays a mix of jazz, bluegrass, funk, reggae and world music with a mess of instruments — horns, keys, percussion and just about anything with a string on it.
  
  "It really is just a fun, musical bunch that really love each other," says Mikey Stevens, who plays guitar and trumpet for State of Jefferson. "We're all multi-instrumentalists, and a lot of the band's music has just evolved into what it is. The music we create when we get together is spontaneous. There's little rehearsal time."Stevens says he likes not knowing what's going to happen next when the band plays together. He went to work as a trumpet player right out of high school, touring with big bands.
  
  "I played with everything from marching bands to polka and Dixieland bands, anywhere that I could get a job," Stevens says. "I've had to play the notes that were put in front of me all night long, and I don't really like it anymore. I want to play my own notes."
  
  The trumpet is Stevens' first love, he says. He learned guitar after moving to the Rogue Valley about 15 years ago. He met Duke Davis, State of Jefferson's saxophone player, when Davis was 11, and the two began performing together at the Applegate Lodge, the Davis family's restaurant.
  
  "We weren't very good back then, but we've had a lot of years to make it good," Stevens says.
  
  Davis and the other core members of the band — guitarist Joe Ginet, bassist Ryan Redding and keyboard player Erik Vestnys — began playing music together in one form or another while attending high schools in the Rogue Valley. Davis, Ginet and Redding attended Hidden Valley High School, Vestnys Rogue River High School.
  
  Drummer Michael Saint John (Cast of Clowns, AnnieMac, Rogue Suspects) will join State of Jefferson for the show at Stillwater.
  
  "Spending time playing music with these youngsters has broadened all of our horizons," Stevens says. "They're in their mid-20s, I'm 57. They're heavily influenced by the music that's going on today. So I've been pulled in new directions, probably reggae more than anything."
  
  Davis says that he and the rest of the group simply like to spread positive energy through music, while having fun and enjoying the ride.
  
  "The Grateful Dead was an inspiring group," Davis says. "Though we don't play many of their songs, their idea was to change the world with music. Bob Marley, the Beatles, those artists are big influences."
  
  State of Jefferson has never played a set list, Davis says. The group also adapts its performances to the size of the venue, taking its music from small, acoustic shows to electrified, upbeat ones on big stages.
  
  "We like to hit the young and the old, the wild and the tame," Davis says. "There'll be some new stuff at the Stillwater show."
  
  State of Jefferson took a break from playing local gigs to perform in markets such as Bend, Lake Tahoe, Nev., Northern California, and Beyond.
  
  "We stopped hitting the road last fall and began working on our next CD," Davis says. "It'll be released this summer."
  
  State of Jefferson's last two CDs — a 2004 compilation of live shows and studio recordings and a live show recorded in 2006 at KTUH-FM at the University of Hawaii — are out of print.
  
  There are plans to put together music festivals at Rogue Valley community centers and parks. The group also wants to see if the new CD will get the band into bigger markets.
  
  
  Davis and members of State of Jefferson also present live jams at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at the Applegate Lodge. To receive e-mails about the band and the Applegate Lodge, write to wegosax@hotmail.com.
  
  See stateofjefferson.org for song downloads and State of Jefferson gear
  

• Frommer's Event Guide- State of Jefferson Music Festival [+ Show ]
  

  Jefferson State Music FestivalWhen:Aug 2009 (annual)Where:Riverside ParkCost:Free Opening Hours:Fri...Jefferson State Music FestivalWhen:Aug 2009 (annual)Where:Riverside ParkCost:Free
  Opening Hours:Fri 5pm-10pm; Sat 12pm-10pm
  The Jefferson State Music Festival is not just a two-day party featuring folk, bluegrass and reggae music, but also supports the local community. Instead of an entrance fee, attendees are encouraged to bring cans of food to donate to the Josephine County Food Bank. The family-oriented event take place in Riverside Park, Grants Pass.
  

Setlist

Contact us direct for more information at stateofjeffersonmusic@gmail.com

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