Biography
Southern California native John Jorgenson earned the Academy of Country Music Guitarist of the Year trophy three times and seemed marked for a life in music almost from birth. His classical studies began in childhood under a father who served as conductor for Benny Goodman; the young musician later shared stages with his idol during performances led by his parent. An eight-year stint followed with Disneyland’s resident jazz and bluegrass ensemble, where he handled mandolin, saxophone, guitar, and clarinet. He also appeared as featured bassoonist with the L.A. Camerata. Recognition ultimately arrived through his guitar work, documented on sessions alongside the Byrds, Rose Maddox, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, John Prine, Bonnie Raitt, Dan Fogelberg, and Michael Nesmith.
In 1986 he united with West Coast colleagues to launch the Desert Rose Band, a traditional country-rock group fronted by former Byrd Chris Hillman and completed by Herb Pedersen, Bill Bryson, Steve Duncan, and steel guitarist Jay Dee Maness. Jorgenson’s forceful 12-string playing helped define the sound. Their self-titled debut yielded the first single, a revival of Johnnie & Jack’s “Ashes of Love.” The follow-up album Running, issued in 1988, brought the Academy of Country Music’s Touring Band of the Year award, an honor repeated in 1989 and 1990; the Country Music Association also nominated the band for Best Vocal Group in both of those years.
Despite chart-topping singles and revived classics, the Desert Rose Band fractured by 1992. Jorgenson departed to explore fresh projects, among them the Hellecasters, assembled after a one-off 1991 performance. The trio—Jorgenson joined by fellow Telecaster specialists Will Ray and Jerry Donahue—operated without a vocalist. Their 1993 debut, The Return of the Hellecasters, captured Guitar Player magazine’s Reader’s Poll Album of the Year and Country Album of the Year distinctions. A second release, Escape from Hollywood, arrived in 1995. That same year Jorgenson began an extended recording and touring association with Elton John that lasted several seasons. In 1996 he produced the bluegrass album The Moon Is Rising by Rose Maddox at Mad Dog Studios, then issued his own Emotional Savant in 1999.
Early in the 2000s his growing fascination with gypsy swing led him to portray Django Reinhardt in the film Head in the Clouds and to assemble a quintet featuring rhythm guitarist Doug Martin, violinist Jason Anick, bassist Simon Planting, and drummer Rick Reed. Franco-American Music appeared in 2004, followed by Ultraspontane three years later. Throughout this period Jorgenson maintained an active schedule with the John Jorgenson Quintet, the John Jorgenson Electric Band, the John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band, and the Desert Rose Band. In 2017 his bluegrass unit, known as J2B2, released the studio album From the Crow’s Nest.
In 1986 he united with West Coast colleagues to launch the Desert Rose Band, a traditional country-rock group fronted by former Byrd Chris Hillman and completed by Herb Pedersen, Bill Bryson, Steve Duncan, and steel guitarist Jay Dee Maness. Jorgenson’s forceful 12-string playing helped define the sound. Their self-titled debut yielded the first single, a revival of Johnnie & Jack’s “Ashes of Love.” The follow-up album Running, issued in 1988, brought the Academy of Country Music’s Touring Band of the Year award, an honor repeated in 1989 and 1990; the Country Music Association also nominated the band for Best Vocal Group in both of those years.
Despite chart-topping singles and revived classics, the Desert Rose Band fractured by 1992. Jorgenson departed to explore fresh projects, among them the Hellecasters, assembled after a one-off 1991 performance. The trio—Jorgenson joined by fellow Telecaster specialists Will Ray and Jerry Donahue—operated without a vocalist. Their 1993 debut, The Return of the Hellecasters, captured Guitar Player magazine’s Reader’s Poll Album of the Year and Country Album of the Year distinctions. A second release, Escape from Hollywood, arrived in 1995. That same year Jorgenson began an extended recording and touring association with Elton John that lasted several seasons. In 1996 he produced the bluegrass album The Moon Is Rising by Rose Maddox at Mad Dog Studios, then issued his own Emotional Savant in 1999.
Early in the 2000s his growing fascination with gypsy swing led him to portray Django Reinhardt in the film Head in the Clouds and to assemble a quintet featuring rhythm guitarist Doug Martin, violinist Jason Anick, bassist Simon Planting, and drummer Rick Reed. Franco-American Music appeared in 2004, followed by Ultraspontane three years later. Throughout this period Jorgenson maintained an active schedule with the John Jorgenson Quintet, the John Jorgenson Electric Band, the John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band, and the Desert Rose Band. In 2017 his bluegrass unit, known as J2B2, released the studio album From the Crow’s Nest.
Albums
