John Jorgenson - Master Sessions

John Jorgenson - Master Sessions 1993
© 1993- 2021 - © John Jorgenson - © The Desert Rose Band © Bar None Music, Inc.
This video let you play along John's famous guitar licks and solo's over his widespread career.
John Jorgenson born July 6, 1956 in Madison, Wisconsin, is perhaps best known for his guitar work with bands such as the Desert Rose Band and The Hellecasters. Jorgenson is also proficient in the mandolin, mandocello, Dobro, pedal steel, piano, upright bass, clarinet, bassoon, and saxophone. John Jorgenson, known for his blistering guitar and mandolin licks and mastery of a broad musical palette, has earned a reputation as a world-class musician, as evidenced by his collaborations with Earl Scruggs, Bonnie Raitt, Elton John, Luciano Pavarotti, Bob Dylan and many others.
First coming to national attention in the mid ‘80s as co-founder of successful country-rock act The Desert Rose Band, an eclectic array of artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Bob Seger and Barbra were drawn to add Jorgenson’s artistry to their own recordings. While a member of the Desert Rose Band, Jorgenson won the Academy of Country Music’s “Guitarist of the Year” award two consecutive years.
In the ‘90s The Hellecasters gave audiences a chance to experience John’s fretboard fireworks in an unrestrained venue and the trio’s three original albums remain favorites of guitarists everywhere. Having been a fan of the Desert Rose Band, Elton John invited Jorgenson to join his band in 1994 for an 18 month tour that stretched into a six-year stint of touring, recording and TV appearances with the British superstar, in addition to collaborations with other artists including Sting and Billy Joel.
2010 marked the 100th birthday of the great gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt. Since discovering Django in 1979, Jorgenson has become “the US Ambassador of Gypsy Jazz” which is quite an honor given the distinctly European slant of the music’s heritage. Over the years Jorgenson has continued to honor the legacy of Reinhardt by bringing his unique brand of Gypsy Jazz to the masses with his John Jorgenson Quintet.
Jorgenson continues to expand his dynamic range of musical offerings, exploring new elements of world music, bluegrass, rock and classical as he captivates and enlightens fellow musicians and listeners along the way. Touring with multiple musical configurations such as the John Jorgenson Quintet, the John Jorgenson Electric Band, the John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band and the Desert Rose Band. Jorgenson annually plays dates across the U.S. and Europe. Each permutation allows him to make prodigious use of his mastery of many instruments; no matter which band Jorgenson is playing with, his brilliant guitar work leads the way with music that is a combination of groundbreaking playing full of soaring melodies and driving rhythms.
His contribution is utterly one of a kind by not only Jorgenson’s skillful guitar playing, but also his solo clarinet, bouzouki, and vocal performances as well.
At performances of the John Jorgenson Quintet, audiences are awestruck by not only Jorgenson’s skillful guitar playing, but the solo clarinet and bouzouki as well. Djangobooks perfectly articulates, “If he comes around, don’t miss him. The show is golden. The music soars.”
Legends like Elton John, Earl Scruggs and Duane Eddy along with fellow guitarists such as Tommy Emmanuel, Peter Frampton and Brad Paisley have sung Jorgenson’s praises, and the best way to find out what they already know is to check out this artist who is leaving a lasting legacy in the art of guitar performance.

[@buddyreed8276]

My dad used to work for G&L in Fullerton near Placentia. John used to come in to the shop and talk to Leo about the type of guitar he wanted, then they would come to my dad he would build the entire guitar for him. Cutting the body out, the neck style. All the good stuff

[@edpetrocelli2633]

I got to see the Desert rose band at the Delmar Fair, had to be around 1986. Those guys sounded just like the tape I had in my truck, I was impressed with how good they were then and how he plays now WOW! makes it look easy doesen`t he.

[@johnjackson8401]

There is a KZbin uploaded of John playing an acoustic 12 string Takemine on "One Step Forward" with Chris Hillman and Herb Peterson. This is a circa 2012 reunion. He breaks out in these beautiful intricate leads. Jaw dropping and worth watching.

[@briannacery9939]

I'm going to have to watch this many times. Thanks!

[@Gratefulman1965]

Love this, been a J.J. fan for decades! Ya know, every time I hear and or see Brad paisley it’s like hearing Jorgensen, imitation truly is the best form of flattery. 🎶

[@chrismcelrath9098]

I know that Brad Paisley idolizes Jorgenson, but I honestly have never heard much similarity to Jorgenson in his playing. Maybe a little bit in his tone, due to amp choices, but Paisley sounds more like an evolution of Ray Flacke to me.

[@AskZac]

Thank you so much for uploading this Willem!

[@thedesertroseband]

Your Welcome Zac. Tried my best to upgrade the video footage a bit . Still it has some minor audio drops and clicks and pops here and there. Anyway, nice to have this video around. Have you watched the other video from the Hellecasters 1994? It’s a different one than the official DVD release from 1998. Enjoy

[@rocknrollcowboy1620]

A fan of both of you guys!

[@MultiStratoman]

@@thedesertroseband Thank's for uploading this instructional video. I have that G&L ASAT JJ signature model that I bought from John personally. This guitar is one heck of a guitar.

[@thedesertroseband]

@@MultiStratoman Hi, I also have one of John’s personals Asat silver sparkle guitars. Got it in 2015. Great one . Thanks

[@dennisg.7391]

What matchless type is used in this clip ? Also like that hollow tele sound on 12:55. Like to know what pedals he used in this clip?

[@jaggass]

I went to one of Elton Farewell Yellow Brick Road concerts in 2019 when John Jorgenson filled in for Davey Johnstone. He was very good that night.

[@nicholassakamoto2455]

jaggass, John Jorgenson was also a member of the Elton John band from 1994 to 2000

[@Vito_Tuxedo]

I doubt there has ever been a night when JJ wasn't very good. In fact, very good is probably his *_minimum_* level. Every time I've seen him he has been phenomenally good. 😎

[@jaggass]

He doesn't just play the guitar he plays many other instruments too.

[@tomthomas8472]

Oh hell yes! John Jorgenson is the man! I Wished Jack White would have used John in place of the Edge in It Could Be Loud. John, Jimmy Page, and Jack, damn that would have been a stupendous guitar lesson in a movie.

[@martydibergi5228]

John would outshine any of them have seen him live many times and he is the One is Jack White really an accomplished guitarist? Hmmm

[@Rowlandph]

Great video!..on one of the NICEST...and BEST!..guitarists in the business!...

[@godbyone]

wtf. This is so great

[@BCTGuitarPlayer]

Such a laidback demeanor. It’s a pleasure to watch and listen to him;)

[@tonycampbell4982]

Love his playing on Desert Rose Band songs.

[@DocJJohnson]

Such a treat

[@Ripplin]

Amazing! I can already think of a friend I need to tell about this as well. (he borrowed by Jorgenson DVD for a long time, so there won't need to be any borrowing in this case, haha)

[@martydibergi5228]

I met John and the Hellecasters years ago and it was truly the thrill of my life i asked them if some of their recordings were sped up and they played at speed immediately in front me me jaw dropping John is a genius

[@harrycoddington4739]

Major influence in my life!

[@mjvicc1952]

WOW!!!😮

[@BrianKlobyGuitar]

Most awesome.... and inspiring :)

[@zacate1983]

There's a podcast called GuitarWank (Scott Henderson used to be one of the hosts until the last year or so), with Troy McCubbin and the amazing Jazz Guitarist Bruce Forman, there's an episode with John Jorgenson that is pretty amazing, talks about his upbringing and all the styles he loved and learned and his story with Matchless and how that thing evolved with Mark Sampson, pretty incredible episode! Give it a listen people!

[@krautyvonlederhosen]

Humble guy and certainly not full of himself @ all. Thanks Senor Jorgensen for the attention.Evert time I play your tunes in the car, people wide eyed want to know who is that?

[@andyc5729]

Oh YES YES YES!!!! God I’ve missed this VHS. THANK YOU!!

[@davidratliff807]

Awesome 👏🏼, your the reason I play Matchless!!!!

[@martydibergi5228]

Met the Hellecasters the first time about 25 years ago and he told me too about them so I got the combo then head and cab and will eventually give them And my 2 JJ G&L guitars and my complete Fender Hellecasters collection to my grandkids Love JJ and nicest guy!

[@two-tone6934]

This is so great to see Thanks for uploading.. awesome

[@user-sm6qu2yh4w]

So pretty beautiful

[@sixstringfun]

Nice! Can't wait to really dig into this. Thank you!

[@thedesertroseband]

Your welcome.

[@gitaar]

Mooi man. Deze heb ik nog op video. En ook op DVD van jou gekregen. Te gek.

[@thedesertroseband]

Graag gedaan Johnny! 👍🏻👊🏻

[@bluzking]

Does anyone know what the song is at the end of the tape with the beautiful chords and delay? Beautiful melody, always hated that it got cut off on my VHS tape from 93 lol. A masterclass indeed and yes a nice guy. Met him at a solar energy expo years ago, couldn't believe it was him and finally approached him and he was one of the nicest guys you would ever want to meet. I think he was a little surprised someone knew who he was! 🎸

[@Vito_Tuxedo]

Yeah...I have the same question about the tune they were playing as the end credits rolled. Bummer that it's cut off. Progression of chords plus melody instantly grabbed me. What is it?!? BTW, that's a huge ditto on what a great guy JJ is. I've met him several times, and he remembered me. A true gentleman, very approachable and easy to talk to. Same as Tommy Emmanuel...and they're both guitar geniuses. My two favorite guitarists in the known universe. 😎

[@billkenny5938]

brad paisley said in a recent interview, he heard his tele tone and geeked out over it. said he had to have that sound. the first song def sounds like brad. or brad sounds like him. whatever lmao. sounds insanely close tones.

[@beauruutz]

Country Malmsteen!

[@dickpowell5513]

Dang

[@TheMikeG318]

The sequel to this is like 2 hours long. All they talk about is that other guys haircut

[@Tinthename]

Good people! What is the name of the song played at the 29 minute mark?

[@SchwartzDaddy]

John - my hair is not quite where yours is in this video but I'm working on it. Maybe when I see you next year with Chris!

[@cram7]

Funny, He s got the same greenish old Matchless as i do.

[@eadghe]

I'm new to this artist and band, does someone know the song title of the very first song played right at the beginning? I tried to look up "The Desert Rose Band", but didn't found what I was looking for.

[@shable1436]

Sounds like him and Arlen Roth played a lot together

[@ianstahl8579]

Is that Tom Kolb interviewing?

[@laurenttherese6875]

Does anyone have tab of this video please !!!

[@dspguitar]

I'll work it out now...just give me a few minutes.

[@jakelee7639]

That’s a serious hairdo on the interviewer

[@remco5145]

The guitars AND the big hair sure hurt the eyes!

[@_Irma22]

Качество звука очень паршивое. Что что- а акустику в Америке походу так и научатся делать никогда. Абсолютно во всех дифкзорах динамиков резина, а в усилителях интегральные микросхемы . Которые хоронят весь спектр звука. Остаются только низа и чуток высоких. А среднего нет вообще.

[@fancykarlmarx]

The stupid and embarrassing things I’d do for that matchless amp.

[@martydibergi5228]

Because John told me to get one I taught lots of summer school saved up and bought an sc 30 hc head and 2-12 cab which will end up with my grand daughter soon Best amps ever and I still have my 1964 original deluxe reverb no ligo😊

[@fancykarlmarx]

@@martydibergi5228 good lord that’s awesome. Please tell me she will love and take care of it??

[@martydibergi5228]

I hope so along with every Fender Hellecasters model issued all autographed and a couple JJ g&l asat’s I tried to sell them when I got ill but no interest so, keeping my passion close to my heart ❤️

[@katanamaker]

@@martydibergi5228 Are you still interested in selling the JJ G&L?