Gypsy Guitarist John Jorgenson Impresses Kent Stage Audience

While more than 200 hundred folks were jamming the this past Sunday for the free George Clinton concert, other music lovers braved the cold sleet to enjoy a concert by gypsy guitar virtuoso John Jorgenson and his band at the .

World-renowned for his years of playing with the Hellecasters and Elton John, Jorgenson now plays the music he has always loved best — Django Reinhardt-styled gypsy swing.  Arguably the best performer of the genre, he even copied Reinhardt’s use of only two fingers on a couple of songs. He also performed convincingly on bouzouki and clarinet. 

The quintet consisted of Jorgenson, Doug Martin on rhythm guitar, Jason Anick on fiddle, Simon Planting on bass, and Rick Reed on snare and percussion.  The band was extremely tight and dynamic, with two guitars in perfect sync — yet always sounding relaxed, even at breakneck tempos. 

Akron guitarist Adam Cord, a guitar instructor at Malone University, opened the show.

The audience of nearly 100 included many area musicians. “I think every guitarist in Kent was there,” said Tom Simpson, owner of the. “I hope to have them back.”

Jorgenson featured several songs from his latest CD, One Stolen Night.

Thanks to Brad Bolton for contributing to this article.