The John Jorgenson Quintet will be on stage at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at Central Lakes College for a concert in the Cultural Arts Series.
Jorgenson, founding member of the Desert Rose Band, the Hellecasters, and a six-year member of Elton John’s band, is a pioneer of the American gypsy jazz movement. Since rising to prominence in the 1980s with the Desert Rose Band, he has performed as a solo artist and collaborated with other musicians all over the world.
The band earned five No. 1 singles and garnered several awards. Jorgenson won the Academy of Country Music’s Guitarist of the Year award three consecutive times. Following the Desert Rose Band, Jorgenson formed another award-winning group, the virtuosic guitar trio The Hellecasters.
Originally conceived as a “one off” gig for fun, the group went on to produce three acclaimed CDs and a live video, winning both Album of the Year and Country Album of the Year from the readers of Guitar Player Magazine for the stunning debut effort, “Return of the Hellecasters,” released in 1993.
In 1994 Elton John called and invited Jorgenson on an 18-month world tour. The tour stretched into a six-year period that included not only sold-out world tours, but also recordings, television appearances, and collaborations with many other artists including Sting and Billy Joel.
In addition to acoustic and electric guitars, Jorgenson was featured on saxophone, pedal steel, mandolin and vocals.
Although Jorgenson is well-renowned in the pop, country and rock world, gypsy jazz is the style of music closest to his heart.
Jorgenson was chosen to portray Django Reinhardt in the 2004 feature film “Head in the Clouds,” a romantic drama starring Charlize Theron and Penelope Cruz, set in 1930s England, Paris and Spain.
Jorgenson admits he is a “Djangomaniac.” His reproduction of Django’s playing was applauded throughout the world by many critics and the media. It led to the formation of the John Jorgenson Quintet.
At a John Jorgenson Quintet performance, audiences are amazed by Jorgenson’s guitar work as well as his mastery as a clarinet player and vocalist. Whether playing his accessible compositions or classic standards, this band makes music that is equally romantic and ecstatic, played with virtuosity and soul.
“This is a top-quality show,” said Patrick Spradlin, Cultural Arts Series coordinator. “We had them here a couple of years ago, and audiences were just amazed at their musical virtuosity.”
Concert ticket prices are at $10, $20 or $25 depending on section of seating. Tickets are for assigned seats. Full ticket details and seating charts are online at www.clctickets.com
Tickets can be purchased at www.clctickets.com or by contacting the CLC Theatre Box Office at 855-8199. Cultural Arts Series information, including links to each artist’s website, can be found at www.clcmn.edu/theatre.
