Jorma Kaukonen: Doesn’t Get Hesitation Blues

Jorma Kaukonen of Jefferson Airplane, and even more famously of Hot Tuna, will be toting his guitar to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Montclair on Thursday, May 30.

Jorma Kaukonen is performing on May 30!

San Francisco Bay Area-based blues/folk/rock musician Jorma Kaukonen of Jefferson Airplane, and even more famously of Hot Tuna, will be toting his guitar to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Montclair on Thursday, May 30.

In addition to Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna, Jorma Kaukonen has also worked and performed with Vital Parts, David Crosby of Crosby, Stills, Nash, Warren Zevon, Widespread Panic, Tom Constanten and Robert Hunter of the Grateful Dead.

Playing guitar
© Mikael Damkier | Dreamstime Stock Photos

From folk to harder rock to a foray of 80’s-era punk, Jorma Kaukonen has managed to stay timeless no matter what musical style he chose to delve into. He is also well-known for his fingerstyle, a method of playing directly with the fingertips rather than with a pick.

With Jefferson Airplane, Jorma Kaukonen is famous for contributing to songs such as “Wooden Ships,” “Embryonic Journey,” “Feel so Good” and “Wild Turkey.” With Hot Tuna, Kaukonen has brought us “Uncle Sam Blues,” “Angel of Darkness,” “Keep on Truckin’” and a cover of Blind Willie Johnson’s gospel tune “Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning.” Some of his notable solo songs include “Genesis,” “Hesitation Blues,” “Been so Long” and “Cracks in the Finish.”

No matter what style Jorma Kaukonen seems to be in the mood to experiment with, all of his music brings a spirit of warmth and togetherness that the Unitarian Universalist Congregation exudes with every show. Doors to this show open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.

Since it will most likely be a warm day and the venue is close to Church Street and Bloomfield Avenue, why not make a day out of enjoying fun-filled and cultural activities to add to the folk spirit? Be sure to check out the Montclair Art Museum. For a quick bite to eat before the show, I recommend any of the following international eateries: The French Petit Parisien on Church Street, The Ethiopian Mesob on Bloomfield Avenue. If you are more into healthy, organic foods, the hole-in-the-wall, laid-back Le Saluben located on Walnut Street never fails. But, if you just want to eat somewhere within the vicinity of the venue, there is a Starbucks just across the street. Tasty treats will be graciously provided courtesy of Montclair Bread.

While it is crucial for everyone to have a good time at this show, always keep in mind that Outpost in the Burbs also always stands firm about giving back to the community, and no deed is too big or too small. The volunteers all work very hard to set up these shows for everyone to enjoy, and if possible, ask attendees to please give back a little by donating some sundries (toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, et cetera) for those in need.

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