Back by popular demand! Jazzgrass is an exciting band dedicated to toe-tappin’, accessible music, honoring the traditions of bluegrass, Appalachian music, Americana and the jazz composers who have their ears attuned our rural homeland. Jazzgrass will be performing music written by Jerry Douglas, Bela Fleck, Pat Metheny, Dave Grusin, Barnaby Finch, Natalie McMaster, the Allman Brothers and many more. Jazzgrass was put together in 1999 by Barnaby Finch to honor the newer and more progressive side of Bluegrass music. Jazzgrass originally had Sean and Sara Watkins, who soon became very famous with Nickel Creek, and Kevin Hennessy on bass. Nickel Creek burst onto the scene, and that was the end of that lineup. In 2011, Barnaby wanted to perform this type of music again and recruited some talented locals to play. There's Don Reed on mandolin, dobro, and guitar--a famous Idyllwild virtuoso who's performed with J.J. Cale, Dick Dale, Ian Tyson, and Jackie de Shannon. Then Lily McCabe on fiddle--a talented young lady with a gorgeous tone, who plays for the Troubadours at the Ramona Festival, and with her partner, Wayne Cameron, is in a popular duo called "Swift Pony." On bass is Bill Saitta--one of the busiest musicians in the Coachella Valley, and Andy Fraga Jr. on drums--the son of piano legend Andy Fraga Sr, who is a very busy virtuoso himself. Rounding out the band is veteran ace Sean Longstreet, who has a long list of credits. Sean is an accomplished educator and is involved with the Diamond Valley Arts Council in Hemet. Pianist Barnaby Finch is the musical director, with credits ranging from George Benson, Lee Ritenour, Tom Scott, Lionel Richie, and many others. If you don't like the music, it's Barnaby's fault. For more information visit: encinitaslibfriends.org
