Artist: George Jackson
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Alhaji”
Album: George Jackson’s Local Trio
Release Date: July 18, 2023 (video); August 18, 2023 (album)
Label: Adhyâropa Records
In Their Words: âI feel a much stronger sense of identity with this record. In many ways, itâs still working with the concepts that I was getting at with Time and Place, trying to be a part of something with a long history while also trying to bring myself to the table as an outsider, but now thereâs a lot more confidence in bringing together the different elements Iâm interested in and continuing to form my voice with less fear of âdoing it wrong.’
“(Banjoist Frank Evans) can go very deep in old-time as well as bluegrass music, and also has an interest and proficiency as an improviser and with jazz concepts. He just feels like such a natural fit for me musically. (Bassist Eli Broxham) has such a fearless spirit in the way that he approaches music.
“Fellow fiddle player John Mailander (Bruce Hornsby, Billy Strings) produced the record, collaborating closely with the trio to achieve this boundary-pushing vision. Something that Iâm proud of with this record is that it doesnât sound like music that has been made before — we were able to push old-time in genuinely new directions using arrangements, samples, and recording techniques.â â George Jackson
Photo Credit: Libby Danforth