John Reischman and The Jaybirds
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John Reischman and The Jaybirds

Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada | INDIE | AFM

Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada | INDIE | AFM
Band Folk Bluegrass

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"What do critics say?About Stellar Jays (CORVUS, CR-015):"


“Aces in writing, instrumental and vocal departments...a true collaborative effort from this West Coast amalgamation of Canadian and American bluegrass musicians, and worthy of repeated listenings and then some.” - The Edmonton Journal

“Though exceptional mandolinist Reischman gets his name out front, this Vancouver-based folkgrass band democratically spreads the spotlight. Bassist Trisha Gagnon's pristine voice lends itself equally well to old English ballads, Civil War soldier's prayers and her own stirring evocations of rural life, for example, and Nick Hornbuckle's banjo work can be downright spine-tingling.” - Los Angeles Daily News

“After a few listens to the new CD by John Reischman and the Jaybirds, it's quite apparent that they must have the word tone branded on their instruments and microphones. It's evident in the pure, full, rich sound they get as players and singers…a total package that represents this quintet at its finest. Lovers of tone and tunes will find this a CD well worth checking out.” — Bluegrass Unlimited

“A thoroughly professional ensemble with a rare ability to produce music that is simultaneously traditional and contemporary. It's nearly impossible not to remark that Trisha Gagnon continues to be one of the most versatile (and unheralded) vocalists in bluegrass...the Jaybirds are a band that continues to hit on all cylinders.” - SingOut!

“Stellar Jays will knock your socks off. This is the fourth CD by the Canadian Bluegrass band that has been wowing them in Canada and across the US for the past 6 years. Lead man John Reischman could be one of the best mandolin players alive today, and the folks he's playing with are neck and neck with him all the way. Lightning speed and laser precision.” - Victory Review

“Stellar Jays is the latest in beautifully articulate and tasteful bluegrass from John Reischman and the Jaybirds. There's an ample supply of strong material. Stellar Jays is a stellar album and definitely recommended.” - Bluegrass Now

“John Reischman approaches the mandolin with unprecedented musicality. On Stellar Jays, a skillfully spirited effort, his concept of tone, sense of melody and attention to detail continues to astound not only students of the instrument but the entire contemporary folk community.” - Chris Thile

“John Reischman and the Jaybirds know the best new Bluegrass grows from classic roots. Their new CD “Stellar Jays“ has all the elements: hard driving instrumentals, lonesome singing, and an excellent cross section of originals mixed with traditional covers.” - Tim O'Brien
- L.A.Daily News, The Edmonton Journal, SingOut!, Bluegrass Unlimited,Victory Review, Bluegrass Now, T


Discography

2007 STELLAR JAYS
* Juno Nominated
* Two- Canadian Folk Music
Award Nominations
*Four-Just Plain Folk
Music Award Nominations in 2009

2004 The Road West

2002 Field Guide
* Juno nominated

2000 The Jaybirds

STELLAR JAYS

1.The Jaybird Song
2. Her bright Smile Haunts Me Still
3. A Dime In My Pocket
4. The Drunkard's Lantern
5. Cleo Belle
6.What Are They Doing In Heaven Today?
7. The House Carpenter
8. Deception Falls
9. I Am The Man, Thomas
10. Bash Bish Falls
11.On My Way To You
12. Something I Don't Want To Know
13. Fire On The Mountain
14. Mississippi Hoedown

2005 THE ROAD WEST

THE ROAD WEST

1. Roustabout
2. Hop High My Lulu Gal
3. Home Sweet Home
4.Sandy Boys
5. Travelin' The Road West
6. In The Fall
7. Deep Dark Sea
8. Blackberry Bramble
9. Liza Jane
10. Old Reuben No.1
11.Allens Creek
12. You'll Find Her Name
13. Troubles
14.The Home Coming
15. As Time Draws Near
16.Crowberry

2002 FIELD GUIDE
*Juno nominated

FIELD GUIDE

1.Lonesome Dove
2.She Could Have Loved Him
3.Holy JUmped Up
4. Darlin' Nellie
5.Say Darlin' Say
6. In THe Darkest Hour
7. Arrowhead
8. Shackled And Chained
9.Crooked Man
10. Over The Levee
11. The Immigrant's Lament
12. I'm Troubled
13. Hop High Ladies
14.Little Willie
15. Plum Tree
16. The Train That Carried My Girl From Town

2001 THE JAYBIRDS

The JAYBIRDS

1. Salt Spring
2.Winter's Come and Gone
3. My Home Far Away
4. Don't Wake Me Up
5. Come With Me
6. Poisoning The Well
7. Katy Dear
8. Booth Shot Lincoln
9. Bravest Cowboy
10. Medicine Springs
11. Jaybird Ramble
12. Blossoms On The Almond Tree
13. Prairie Girl
14. Hog Eye

All four of The Jaybirds' CDs
receive radio and internet
play.

Photos

Bio

With a fourth, critically-acclaimed album and expanded touring schedule, John Reischman and the Jaybirds are a top-flight band delivering a truly fresh blend of original songs and instrumentals, old-time heritage, and bluegrass power.
Featuring nine new songs and tunes from all five founding band members, Stellar Jays is the latest in a series of CDs to win rave reviews for a trademark, old-time-infused bluegrass sound that respects tradition while advancing the music. The nomination of Stellar Jays for the 2009 “Just Plain Folks” Bluegrass Album of the Year Award, two 2007 Canadian Folk Music Award nominations, and a 2007 Juno nomination follows praise such as this from Nashville Public Radio: “A masterpiece — a fascinating and fresh-sounding collection of tunes that incorporate the best elements of bluegrass and old-time into a killer new sound.”

“On the evidence of Stellar Jays, John Reischman and the Jaybirds are in their prime as contemporary bluegrass musicians capable of maintaining and extending the music's legacy,” says Billboard.com. Bluegrass Unlimited magazine describes tone-master and composer John as, “one of the world's undisputed masters” of the mandolin, a frequent accolade since his days with the Tony Rice Unit and California's Good Ol' Persons. John went on to record two outstanding solo albums and numerous sessions before forming the Jaybirds in 2001 to release a self-titled debut album, followed by the Canadian Juno-nominated Field Guide, and in 2005, The Road West.

“Though Reischman is the leader and front man, he gives each of them plenty of room to shine, and together they produce music that is seamlessly excellent and rewarding,” Sing Out! magazine says of the superb West Coast ensemble led by John from British Columbia. “The folks he's playing with are neck and neck with him all the way,” Victory Review magazine says of the original line-up: John on mandolin & vocal, Jim Nunally on guitar & vocal, Trisha Gagnon on bass & vocal, Nick Hornbuckle on banjo & vocal, and Greg Spatz on fiddle.

Jim Nunally is a California veteran of several decades as a leading guitarist, songwriter and high, lonesome singer. Jim appeared with John on the Grammy-winning CD True Life Blues, The Songs of Bill Monroe, is a producer and session stalwart, and plays select dates with David Grisman. Audiophile Audition describes Jim as “one of the best bluegrass tenors working today,” with equally impressive speed, clarity and tone as a guitar man.

British Columbia based Trisha Gagnon is portrayed by SingOut! as “one of the most versatile” and “irresistible” vocalists in bluegrass, her strong and distinctive style ranging from “mournful and plaintive” to “hopeful and yearning.”  Trisha anchors what Dirty Linen magazine calls “gorgeous three-part harmonies,” and her superb singing is complemented by her right-on-the-money bass rhythm. Among audience favorites at every show are Trisha’s heart-felt originals such as “The Jaybird Song,” nominated for the 2009 “Just Plain Folks” Bluegrass Song of the Year.

British Columbia based Nick Hornbuckle has developed his own voice on the five-string banjo, a unique sound with a two-finger roll unlike other contemporary banjo players. “Nick Hornbuckle's banjo can be downright spine-tingling,” wrote the L.A. Daily News. “The resonant yet lively Cleo Belle is just right,” Bluegrass Now says of the prolific instrumental composer's, original Stellar Jays offering, nominated for the 2009  “Just Plain Folks” Roots Instrumental Song of the Year.

Washington based Greg Spatz is hailed as a “world-class bluegrass fiddler” by Fiddler Magazine. Another Stellar Jays instrumental composer with the lightning-fast “Bash Bish Falls,” Greg's “virtuosic playing is flawlessly delivered time after time,” praises Audiophile Audition. His wide-ranging chops have made him a popular West Coast player for years, including stints with the legendary Frank Wakefield, and resophonic guitarist Rob Ickes. The release of his solo CD Fiddler’s Dream won him nominations for the 2009 “Just Plain Folks” Roots Instrumental Album of the Year, as well as Roots Instrumental Song of the Year.

As FolkWax says, John Reischman and the Jaybirds offer “clarity, energy, good ensemble work, classy originals, and an adventurous approach” to the world of bluegrass and folk music — along with engaging stage humour in powerful live shows. They are what SingOut! calls a “ thoroughly professional ensemble with a rare ability to produce music that is simultaneously traditional and contemporary . . . the Jaybirds are a band that continues to hit on all cylinders.”