John JorgensonJohn Jorgenson is perhaps best known as a founding member of the Desert Rose Band, for his dazzling fretwork with the super guitar trio The Hellecasters, from his six-year stint as a member of Elton John's band, and his session work with a diverse range of artists including rock icons Elton John, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt and Bob Seger, country legends Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Emmy Lou Harris and Hand Williams Jr., and international superstars like Barbara Streisand and Luciano Pavarotti.
Even though he has made his living playing primarily rock, country, and pop music John's love for jazz and swing music dates back to his youth when his father, James, was conducting for Benny Goodman. John, who idolized Goodman, actually got to play with his hero while his father led the way. As accomplished on clarinet as he is on guitar, Jorgenson's first swing recording "After You've Gone" was a tribute to both his heroes, Django Reinhardt and Benny Goodman. Released in 1985, John played Django style Gypsy jazz on the first side of the LP and recreated the sound of the Benny Goodman Quintet, playing both Charlie Christian's electric guitar parts and Goodman's swinging clarinet style, on the other. His 2004 release Franco-American Swing, which primarily features John's original swing music, has received rave reviews.
In the world of Gypsy jazz music, John Jorgenson has long been known as one of the true American masters of the Django Reinhardt guitar style. In 2003, when the musical director for John Duigan's film Head In The Clouds was looking for someone who could faithfully re-record two tracks from the Quintet of the Hot Club of France for use in the film Guitar Player Magazine's editor recommended Jorgenson. John not only transcribed and recorded the Hot Club's "Blue Drag" and "Minor Swing" for use in the film, he also played the role of Django Reinhardt in the movie.
John has also performed with leading European Gypsy jazz artists Bireli Lagrene and Romane, appeared on recordings with Babik Reinhardt and Angelo Debarre, and has written many articles and lessons for national and international guitar magazines.
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