Jorma Kaukonen, a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, is a founding member of two legendary bands, San Francisco’s ‘60’s band, Jefferson Airplane and his still-touring Hot Tuna. In a career that has spanned more than 60 years, guitarist and songwriter Kaukonen, is a highly respected artist who always adds new energy into his music, expressing himself cleanly and creating a unique sound.
“[His] dexterity runs circles around most players … His material stands the test of time in a way that most others will not.” – Billboard
The son of a State Department official, Jorma Kaukonen was born and raised in the Washington D.C. area with occasional extended trips abroad. In high school he met Jack Casady, the younger brother of a friend and a wonderful guitar player in his own right. Though they could not have known it, they began a musical partnership that has continued for more than 50 years. Jorma eventually moved to California, where he met Paul Kantner and was invited to join a new, not-yet-named rock band Kantner was forming with Marty Balin, to soon become the Jefferson Airplane. Playing spontaneous and unfiltered music with an individual expression of personality, Jorma’s style made a unique and enduring mark. He constantly looks to take his musical horizons further still. “Jorma Kaukonen continues to find ways to wed his muse to the right material and create a colorful tableau.” – Relix
From his early groundbreaking psychedelic days, through his lifelong reverence for finger-picking traditional blues, and the wisdom gained from a musical life of playing American music, Jorma is a living legend and, without a doubt at 80 years old, is “a master in situ” and one of the “Top 100 Greatest Guitarists.” – Rolling Stone Magazine
Quarantine Concerts Every Saturday Night!
Turning 80 on December 23, Jorma still travels the land performing solo, as Hot Tuna with bassist Jack Casady, and with many friends. Though the touring has temporarily been put on hold the music has not stopped! For the past 30 weekends Jorma has performed live Quarantine Concerts on YouTube.
Jorma livestreams from his Fur Peace Ranch Guitar Camp in the countryside near Athens, Ohio. Each Saturday night finds Jorma reminiscing both in song and story about his heroes, his friends, his guitars and the music. The New York Times included the free livestreams in their “10 of the best virtual concerts” list, twice!
The concerts will continue through the holiday season at 8 p.m. EST on The Fur Peace Ranch YouTube Channel. Be sure to tune in the next couple of saturdays and wish Jorma a happy birthday on the Chat stream. (www.youtube.com/user/FurPeaceRanch)
