HAPPY BIRTHDAY JORMA KAUKONEN
CELEBRATING 77 YEARS WITH ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE AND AWARD WINNING GUITAR CAMP ICONIC LEGEND
GUITARIST WHO PLAYED A CRITICAL PART IN THE EARLY JEFFERSON AIRPLANE SOUND, LATER A LEADER OF HOT TUNA AND HIS OWN BANDS.
Guitarist, singer, and songwriter Jorma Kaukonen was born and grew up in Washington, D.C., where he first turned to the guitar. He lived in the San Francisco Bay Area in the early '60s, playing backup to singer Janis Joplin in local clubs. In 1965, Kaukonen became a founding member of Jefferson Airplane , which soared to fame in 1967. Though Kaukonen 's songs and vocals were not prominently featured in the band, his distinctive guitar-playing was crucial to its sound. With bassist Jack Casady , Kaukonen formed a spinoff duo from the group in 1970 called Hot Tuna , and this became his primary musical vehicle after Jefferson Airplane split in 1973. Hot Tuna recorded a series of albums on which Kaukonen sang and played guitar through 1978. After that, Kaukonen worked as a soloist and with such groups as Vital Parts (1980), and he recorded occasional albums. Kaukonen reunited with Casady in Hot Tuna during the '80s, and both participated in the 1989 reunion of Jefferson Airplane . A Hot Tuna reunion album appeared the following year. Kaukonen remained active as the 20th century closed and into the 21st, regularly touring and recording in different configurations before finding a home with Red House Records, which released Stars in My Crown in 2007 and River of Time in 2009.

Jefferson Airplane
Photo credit: Jim Marshall
Jorma Kaukonen
'Hesitation Blues'
Lincoln Theatre
Guitar Lesson: Jorma Kaukonen
Teaches You How to Play Jefferson Airplane's ‘Embryonic Journey’
Jorma Kaukonen
Blue Country Heart

Acoustic fingerpicker Jorma Kaukonen fiddled around with his country roots a bit in Jefferson Airplane and dipped a little deeper while fronting Hot Tuna , but his 2002 release, Blue Country Heart , is his most summertime-afternoon, front-porch-pickin' album. The album is comprised of traditional country songs from the '30s and '40s popularized by legendary performers like Jimmy Rodgers, Jimmy Davis, Gene Autry , and the Delmore Brothers . The blue country band features contemporary acoustic virtuosos Sam Bush on mandolin, Jerry Douglas on dobro, bassist Byron House , and Grammy-winner Béla Fleck on banjo, backing Kaukonen 's nimble fingers and gruff vocals. The whole album carries an easygoing vibe throughout; whether Kaukonen is waiting for a train, recounting his promiscuous tomcat, or escaping from a chain gang, his voice maintains a relaxed feel, and the "no overdubs" recording style gives it a real "living room jam" kind of sound. The recordings aren't flawless, but pretty close, and any brown notes and voice crackles only help to add to the down-home atmosphere, making for a warmly enjoyable listening experience.

Jorma Kaukonen
Stars In My Crown

It's interesting the way things go in circles. In the early '60s, Jorma Kaukonen (or Jerry , as he was then) played blues guitar in the coffeehouses of the South Bay Area, sometimes with Janis Joplin . Now, after stints with Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna , he's back to his first love, mixing blues, gospel, and country, backed by some excellent musicians. It's a blissful self-indulgence, laid-back but still quite heartfelt, although it has to be said that not all his material meets the standards ("Heart Temporary" is a decent opener, but not in the same class as "No Demon" or Johnny Cash 's "The Man Comes Around"), although "A Life Well Lived" is a lovely piece of work. There are some excellent covers, a couple from the Rev. Gary Davis , and a delicious version of "By the Rivers of Babylon." As you'd expect, after four and a half decades, Kaukonen can pick a mean guitar, but he's content to let others take the lead role, especially Barry Mitterhoff 's mandolin work. All in all, it makes for a great package, one to be savored over and over for its gentle, soulful heart.

Jorma Kaukonen
River of Time


Two years after Stars in My Crown , his Red House debut, guitarist Jorma Kaukonen follows up that fine effort with what could be considered "Stars in My Crown, Pt. 2". This year's model finds the ex- Jefferson Airplane and occasional Hot Tuna guitarist plowing similar turf as on the previous release. He stays unplugged and covers forgotten gems from Delta Bluesmen ( Mississippi John Hurt , his old fave Rev. Gary Davis ), country icons ( Merle Haggard ), and adds some like-minded originals. It was recorded in Levon Helm 's Woodstock, NY home studio so naturally the ex- Band member contributes his laid-back drums to a handful of tracks. Kaukonen 's somewhat nasal voice has deepened with age and makes a perfect counterpoint to these already warm, folksy-bluesy tunes. In this context the old blues standard "Trouble in Mind" nestles in perfectly, especially with Helm 's drums nudging the beat. Mandolinist Barry Mitterhoff , also back from the last disc, takes the lead on many tunes, and it's the combination of his licks with Kaukonen 's acoustic picking that makes this album feel as comfortable as an old sweater on a chilly morning. Multi-instrumentalist/producer Larry Campbell , who also produced and played on Helm 's 2007 successful comeback Dirt Farmer , is the secret weapon here, adding fiddles and various stringed instruments to enhance the sound. The elegiac instrumental "A Walk with Friends," featuring Campbell 's crying pedal steel, stands out as one of the loveliest moments in Kaukonen 's storied career, right up there with Hot Tuna 's "Water Song." A jaunty version of the Grateful Dead 's "Operator" takes us back to the guitarist's San Francisco roots and also serves as a tender shout out to the departed Ron "Pigpen" McKernan . A few Kaukonen originals, such as the overlong closing "Simpler Than I Thought" aren't quite up to the high standards of the rest of the disc, but this is still a welcome addition to the guitarist's long discography and an indication that at almost 70, the gifted musician remains as vital as ever.
Jorma Kaukonen
AIN'T IN NO HURRY

Cut from the same cloth as the rest of his new millennial records, particularly the two previous sets he made for Red House Records, Ain't in No Hurry finds former Jefferson Airplane guitarist Jorma Kaukonen taking it easy and singing a cross-section of newer originals, blues, and country standards. Often, he's accompanied by a rhythm section and a few other players -- Larry Campbell on resonator or steel, Barry Mitterhoff on mandolin, and his old friend Jack Casady stops by to play a little bass, too -- but the vibe is so casual and sympathetic, it seems as if Kaukonen is playing alone; it all seems like an extension of his guitar. This doesn't mean Ain't in No Hurry is a sleepy affair, not by a long stretch. He digs into ragtimes and shuffles along with a bit of funky folk, so this record winds up moving along at a deceptively quick clip; he's not rushing, but he's not dilly-dallying, either, he's just taking his time and enjoying the sights.

Jorma & Hot Tuna on Tour

Feb 13
Evanston, IL, Space

Feb 14                  
Minn, MN Cedar Cultural

Feb 15                  
Stoughton WI, Opera House

Sat/Feb-17         
Kansas City, MO Folk Alliance
              
Mon/Feb-19     
Denver, CO L2 Church

Tue/Feb-20      

Thur/Feb-22       
Tomball TX,   Main Street Crossing
                                     
Fri/Feb-23          
Sat/Feb-24         
Dallas, TX Poor David’s

Tue/Feb-27       
Ponte Vedra, FL Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

Wed/Feb-28     

Fri/Mar-02         
Athens, GA The Foundry

Sun/Mar-04       
Asheville, NC Grey Eagle    
           
Tue/Mar-06       
Charlotte, NC McGlohon Theatre

Wed/Mar-07     
Richmond, VA Tin Pan
                                      
Fri/Mar-09         
Riverhead, NY Suffolk Theater

Sat/Mar-10        
Woodstock, NY Levon Helm Studios
All concert tickets must be purchased from the concert venue link. View all above.
2018 Workshop Schedule
2018 Live Concerts


Acoustic Hot Tuna will open for Magic Dick / Shun Ng

November 10th, 2018

Only 13 Tickets left

Gates Open 7pm/ Show 8pm.
Tickets $50.00/ $55.00 day of show
Magic Dick, the legendary harmonica player for Boston's legendary J. Geils Band, has recently partnered up with guitar and vocal sensation, Shun, to create one of the most dynamic musical acts to come out of Boston in a long time.

Magic Dick began performing with John "J." Geils and Daniel Klein in their acoustic blues group when the three went to Worcester Poly Tech circa 1964-1966. This core merged with the singer and drummer of another Boston-based band, the Hallucinations, creating the J. Geils Band, an ensemble as identified by Magic Dick's harp as it is by the guitarist's abilities (along with his nickname!) and lead singer Peter Wolf's persona. Though he only wrote a handful of songs with his famous rock group -- "Cruisin' for a Love," "It Ain't What You Do," and the classic "Whammer Jammer," among them -- he is also one of the only members of that band to show up on side projects by other fellows in the group. Shun Ng is an award-winning fingerstyle guitar virtuoso, singer and songwriter, known for his unique style which infuses elements of Soul, Funk, Blues and Jazz. Shun dazzles audiences from all over the world with his flamboyant technique, soulful vocals and hypnotic groove. He stands as one of the most dynamic and innovative performers, winning accolades from legendary producer, Quincy Jones to fellow guitar virtuoso, Tuck Andress. “You won’t believe your eyes nor your ears, he belies all stereotypes, all premonitions. I was simply blown away by both his soul and his science – his creativity and his uniqueness is astounding.” – Quincy Jones Shun is a three-time Boston Music Award nominee and in 2015 won the "International Artist of The Year" at the 2015 Boston Music Awards. After releasing his own solo arrangement of "Bohemian Rhapsody", Shun video made it's way into the hands of Brian May, Queen's guitarist and founding member, who shared it with his fans, saying "You gotta see! Amazing new solo and acoustic vocal arrangement of Bo Rap!”

In May 2013, Shun released a new video, Get On With It . The video soon after came to the attention of 27-time Grammy award winning producer Quincy Jones. Jones then invited Shun to his home in Los Angeles where Shun performed for him in his living room and received high praise from the producer, “When you see Shun, you won't believe your eyes nor your ears -- he belies all stereotypes, all premonitions. I was simply blown away by both his soul and his science -- his creativity and his uniqueness is astounding." That same year, Shun also caught the attention of founding member of the J. Geils Band and legendary harmonica player, Magic Dick. The duo released a video of their take on the James Brown classic, "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag" . Watch for more great output from these two artists who seem to inspire each other. Performing as a duo at Don the Beachcomber.
DON'T SNOOZE. GET YOUR CONCERT TICKETS TODAY. THEY ARE SELLING FAST


Sat. April 21,2018 DAVID WILCOX

Gates Open 7pm/ Show 8pm. Tickets $25.00/ $30.00 day of show



Sun. May 6,2018 TOM RUSH w/ MATT NAKOA

Gates Open 7pm/ Show 8pm. Tickets $35.00/ $40.00 day of show



Sat. May 12,2018 ROBIN & LINDA WILLIAMS

Gates Open 7pm/ Show 8pm. Tickets $30.00/ $35.00 day of show



Sat. June 2,2018 MAYBE APRIL

Gates Open 7pm/ Show 8pm. Tickets $25.00/ $30.00 day of show



Sat. July 28,2018 A.J. CROCE BAND

Gates Open 7pm/ Show 8pm. Tickets $50.00/ $55.00 day of show



Sat. August 18,2018 BRYAN SUTTON BAND

Gates Open 7pm/ Show 8pm. Tickets $30.00/ $35.00 day of show



Sat. October 20,2018 HUBBY JENKINS
Since 2010 HUBBY has been an integral part of the Grammy award winning Carolina Chocolate Drops and continues to make solo performances.

Gates Open 7pm/ Show 8pm. Tickets $25.00/ $30.00 day of show



Sat. October 27, 2018 AL PETTEWAY & RAMBLIN' JACK ELLIOTT

Gates Open 7pm/ Show 8pm. Tickets $35.00/ $40.00 day of show



Free, weekly 59 minute program. Host Jorma Kaukonen introduces each program's featured artist in a series of concerts recorded at the Fur Peace Ranch guitar camp. An eclectic blend of performances including blues, folk, Americana, rock, bluegrass, and jazz. Featured artists include Chris Smither, Happy Traum, Hot Tuna, It's a Beautiful Day, Roy Book Binder, Savoy Brown, Rory Block, Bob Margolin, Gretchen Peters, Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams, and many more.
As a Founding member of the Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna , Casady’s full driving tone and innovative melodic bass work has defined the role of bass guitar in Rock and Roll for decades. Liberating the bass from its traditional role as part of the rhythm section, Jack s pioneering approach has brought the instrument to the forefront. With sweeping chords and stormy melodic lines Jack’s bass distinguished not only Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna but also a variety of side projects and recordings with artists including Jimi Hendrix , David Crosby , Warren Zevon, Country Joe and The Fish, SVT, Rusted Root and Gov’t Mule.
November 9 - 12, 2018
Overdrive
Level 3
Bass Guitar

I will be teaching my technique of using an overdriven tube amplifier for dynamic use and effects in an electric band and recording format. The application of amplifier sustain, distortion, and chordal use in such environments. I’ll be touching on my own musical philosophy and talking about my favorite tube amps.

In my early years I was absorbing so many kinds of music – in the folk scene and in country blues. Luckily enough, I wasn’t pigeonholed into hearing everything from the bass player’s ear. When I got to California and joined the Jefferson Airplane, the people in the band all came from drastically different musical backgrounds and influences. It was the perfect time to start writing my own stuff, implementing things I was hearing in my head about how to use the bass range on any given song. My tone has been my signature and I’ll be showing you how to find or perfect yours in this class. I’ve been wanting to teach this class for years and might just be more excited than my students.

Requirements: Students will need to bring a SMALL TUBE amplifier for use in class. A Hollow body bass is preferable for desired sonic response. Limited to 8 students.

Spencer Bohren’s music resonates with the ambience of the rivers, roads, and bayous of the American South. He has a marvelous gift for sharing his great love for America’s wealth of traditional folk, blues, gospel, and country music with audiences of all ages.

April 13 - 16, 2018
SOLO LAPSTEEL ACCOMPANIMENT     
level 1/2  
Lapsteel Guitar  

Lapsteel guitar is almost always heard in an ensemble setting, but this workshop is for players who are interested in utilizing the lapsteel for solo accompaniment. My philosophy, as many of you know, is that less really is more where the steel guitar is concerned, and we’ll use songs from my albums to demonstrate that philosophy and learn how to create a unique atmosphere to thrill the player and the listener alike. As a bonus, you’ll go home with new songs to sing. 

We were pleasantly surprised by the response to this class last season and we already have some repeat students, so don’t delay if this sounds like something you’d like to learn.

Note: if you’re unfamiliar with the sound I describe, check out my Tempered Steel release, available on CD or download from http://www.spencerbohren.com/product/tempered-steel/

August 17 - 20, 2018
MASTER CLASS / IT’S IN THE DETAILS     
level 3    
Acoustic Guitar

I have always taught level 1/2 classes at the Fur Peace Ranch. It’s been my pleasure and I would be content to teach these classes as long as I’m needed. Over the years, however, many of my students and other attendees at the ranch have expressed interest in a Spencer Bohren workshop that takes things a step or two further. That’s what this class is all about. 

My basic modus operandi will not change. I’ll continue to use appropriate songs to illustrate various techniques, but we’ll tackle songs with a little more detail in the accompaniments. Many of my Repeat Offenders will be perfectly able to keep up in this class, and to those who have always wished I would go deeper . . . this is your chance.

How about you? Are you ready to kick it up a notch?



Cleveland-born David Wilcox is a father, a husband, a citizen and a songwriter. First inspired to play guitar after hearing a fellow college student playing in a stairwell, Wilcox is now 18 records into a career marked by personal revelation and wildly loyal fans. His lyrical insight is matched by a smooth baritone voice, virtuosic guitar chops, and creative open tunings, giving him a range and tenderness rare in folk music.
April 20 - 23, 2018
Songwriting & Guitar Playing From the Heart
All Levels

The deeper side of songwriting is the practice of knowing your own heart. In this workshop, we each tap into our own channels of inspired originality and create songs straight from the heart. Workshop participants cross between between spontaneity and structure, as they learn how to take that first inkling of an idea and shape it into a song they can be proud of. David teaches the craft as a way to feel more alive. Through group exercises, solo writing time, examples from David’s storehouse of songs, and help with your own songs, you learn how to write and sing from the center of your voice, unlocking presence, power, and energy with the least effort.
Although the focus of the workshop is on songwriting, the implications for guitar technique and approach are important components as well. The use of open tunings and capos will be explored, as these techniques help liberate the songwriter by opening up new channels on the instrument.

American blues guitarist. born in New York, where he studied acoustic guitar with blues guitarist Reverend Gary Davis from 1968–72. Mann has taught at guitar workshops and camps in the U.S. and abroad, including Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, Port Townsend Blues Festival, Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace Ranch, Internationale Workshop in Tuscany, the Universitat Hannover in Hannover, Germany.
May 11 - 14, 2018
Woody’s Workshop: Expanding the Traditions
Level 3
Fingerstyle Guitar

Woody’s workshop picks up the themes of his previous Fur Peace sessions. Through learning repertoire from traditional country blues, ragtime, early jazz and contemporary arrangements, the class offers a practical toolbox of techniques for developing fingerstyle technique including ways to create variations in a tune, syncopated picking, playing chord melodies, and understanding the logic of the fretboard. Woody will be teaching new material from his other FPR classes including the arrangements of Blind Blake, Scrapper Blackwell, Lonnie Johnson, Eddie Lang, as well as his original compositions. The range of the styles illustrates how the techniques of the early masters can be applied to contemporary fingerstyle playing and jazz approaches. In addition to learning new tunes, the goal is to develop a pallet of musical tools for breaking out of ruts and use long after the workshop is over. Woody’s workshop is a good follow-up for repeat offenders and a great entry to new students who are comfortable with the basics and would like to take their playing to the next level.

Over the past five decades he has performed extensively throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, and Japan, both as a soloist and as a member of various groups. His avid interest in traditional and contemporary music has brought him recognition as a performer, writer, editor, session musician, folklorist, teacher and recording artist.
May 11 - 14, 2018
Just For the Love of It
Level 3
Fingerstyle Guitar

In this wide-ranging, intermediate-level class, aspiring fingerpickers will learn arrangements to the blues, ballads, folk and country songs that are the backbone of Happy’s uniquely eclectic style. He will include a fingerpicking version of Norman Blake's “Church Street Blues;” Big Bill Broonzy’s “In the Evening When the Sun Goes Down;” the classic cowboy ballad, “Spanish is the Loving Tongue;” Brownie McGhee’s “Careless Love Blues;” Bob Dylan’s “Down in the Flood,” and Woody Guthrie’s “I Ain’t Got no Home,” among others. The class will branch out in any other song directions the students want to pursue. Participants will learn to incorporate bass lines, steady-rhythm thumb, improvisations for soloing, harmony lines and other devices to make a song truly “sing.” Happy’s 2015 CD, "Just For the Love of It,” received a four-star review in Rolling Stone and was #1 on the Folk Charts. Many of the songs he will teach were featured on this recording, and those who sign up will receive a copy of the CD in advance of the class.

Pennsylvania’s own G.E. Smith is currently a world renowned and in demand rock guitarist. Millions watched him front the Saturday Night Live Band weekly. He successful career includes recording and touring with the likes of Hall & Oates, playing on albums for Mick Jagger and David Bowie and helping compose the Wayne’s World theme song.
May 18 - 24, 2018
Electric Blues and Rock: Rhythm Guitar
Level 2/3
Electric Guitar

We will be working on a variety of playing techniques to make it easier to get around the fingerboard of your guitar. A dose of music theory but not enough so it hurts your playing. Hah! Talk and application about getting a great tone; it is possible! Bluesy rock so we can all play together and lots of work on keeping good time Rhythm, rhythm, rhythm…..Looking forward…GE Smith.

Grammy winning fingerpicker Pat Donohue’s devotion to acoustic guitar has made him an American standard, as he echoes the tones of Robert Johnson, Blind Blake, Merle Travis or Muddy Waters. Chet Atkins called Pat one of the greatest fingerpickers in the world today; Leo Kottke called his playing “haunting.”
May 18 - 21, 2018
The Building Blocks of Blues and Beyond with a nod to the “Masters of the Blues”
Level 3
Fingerstyle Guitar

In this class, you will learn to create the blues from the ground up. From the simple 12 bar shuffle to sophisticated jazz blues sounds; we will look at common chord progressions, chord sequences, and all the little licks and tricks that tie them together into an improvisation or arrangement.
We will focus on the guitar styles of many of the great blues pioneers, such as Blind Blake, Robert Johnson, Big Bill Broonzy, Mississippi John Hurt, and others. Besides being the foundations of blues and much of American Music these artists had beautiful aspects to their styles that can be used in your own guitar playing. With the foundation in place, we will then explore how you can adapt the styles of the masters into your own playing and composing.
From the two beat alternating thumb style of Hurt, to the powerful thumping bass style of Broonzy, to the early electric stylings of T-Bone Walker and Muddy Waters, there is something great and useful to be learned from these masters.
Turnarounds, intros, endings and left and right hand "moves" will be studied with an eye toward expanding your blues vocabulary; thereby, making it possible to play many styles of music more spontaneously and professionally.
This workshop is geared to the intermediate to advanced guitar players. Students should be sure to bring a recording device, a notepad and of course their guitars.


Next Pho Peace Dinner
Friday, January 26, 2018 / 5PM - 7PM

Seating is limited.
Please call 740-992-2575 or 740-992-662 to reserve your seats!

Music with John Hurlbut & Jorma Kaukonen 6-7pm.
Currently accepting reservations.
Banh Mi made with local King Family Farm Chicken or Dexter Run Beef with pickled vegetables, cilantro, basil, green onions & Sriracha hoisin mayo on a ciabatta.
Pho soup bowl made with your choice of local King Family Farm Chicken, Dexter Run Beef, or Tofu.


On December 30th Join
Jorma Kaukonen
For the end of the year
BLOW OUT SALE
12pm - 4pm


~ Coffee, Herbal Tea, and Cookies available ~



Purchase a gift certificate. They are good for two years.
Many items available to create your own unique gift basket!