Jorma Kaukonen & Barry Mitterhoff

Saturday, March 24 @ Melting Point

originally published March 21, 2007

World-famous fingerstyle git-tar picker and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Jorma Kaukonen is embarking on a trek from his picturesque Fur Peace farm in Ohio to support his new album Stars In My Crown , the latest in his deep catalog of roots-music explorations. Whether it’s the blues, Americana or psychedelic rock, the legendary musician has been there, done that and moved on, barely looking back at the mountain of material left in his wake.

As a founding member of two of rock and roots’best-loved bands - Jefferson Airplane in the '60s and Hot Tuna in ‘70s - the restless musician has always shuffled styles, beginning with his earliest forays into Buddy Holly-influenced rock, as well as the folk, blues and bluegrass that were bubbling under in scenes he visited around his Washington, DC, home. After a series of relocations, he ended up in San Francisco, quickly becoming active in the burgeoning ’60s psychedelic world of folk-rock. And yes, he suggested the name Jefferson Airplane, while serving that band well as guitarist. Hot Tuna, his ’70s side project with fellow Airplane alum Jack Cassady, is still active, often with buddy Barry Mitterhoff on mandolin.

Conveniently, talented, progressive-bluegrass cat Mitterhoff is also along for the ride on the current tour, allowing Kaukonen room to branch out with selections from the new album and also to look back to his more than 20 releases of Tuna tunes. Stars In My Crown includes a number of originals, as well as a few choice covers, including fresh takes on Johnny Cash’s chilling “The Man Comes Around” and the country-tinged gospel of the rousing track “Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown.”

Lee Valentine Smith