LISSA ALEXANDER
reporter@pqbnews.com
John Reischman wasn’t exposed to much bluegrass music growing up, but what he did hear on TV piqued his interest in the genre.
“Where I grew up in Northern California there’s no bluegrass bands and I didn’t know any musicians, but I was exposed to it through mass media like the Beverly Hillbillys and on Andy Griffith.”
When a family friend lent him a mandolin he found it pretty easy to play and thought now he could try that “interesting bluegrass music.”
Many years later, he fronts his own bluegrass band called John Reischman and the Jaybirds which has toured Europe and North America, produced five critically acclaimed albums and been nominated for two Junos and two Canadian Folk Music Awards.
John Reischman and the Jaybirds will be performing at the Errington Hall on Friday, Dec. 6.
The Jaybirds hail from around North America, with Reischman in New Westminster, guitar player Jim Nunally from the San Francisco Bay area, bass player Trisha Gagnon in Chilliwack, fiddle player Greg Spatz from Spokane, Washington, and banjo player Nick Hornbuckle from Nanaimo.
Everyone in the group writes original music and each is featured equally in their performances, Reischman said. The group also performs some traditional music, which will include a few Christmas songs in the old-time Appalachian tradition in Errington.
Everyone in the group writes original music and each is featured equally in their performances, Reischman said. The group also performs some traditional music, which will include a few Christmas songs in the old-time Appalachian tradition in Errington.
Reischman has recently released a new solo record called Walk Along John, which features the Jaybirds and other guests like Chris Thile from the Punch Brothers. He’ll play a couple songs from that album at the show on Friday.
The show December 6 will mark the beginning of a 10-day tour for the group, ending in California.
The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 available from Cranky Dog Music in Parksville, Heaven on Earth in Qualicum Beach and at the Errington Store. Tickets are $5 for under 12 and under 5s are free at the door.
For music samples and more visit www.thejaybirds.com.