The Jeff Austin Band and the 2015 Telluride Bluegrass Festival

[BillyBeru]

Saw the Jeff Austin Band last night at the Bluebird in Denver. Highly, highly recommend seeing them if you can - they blew the doors off.

Members include Jeff, Ross Martin (guitar) and Eric Thorin (bass), and Mr. Danny Barnes (banjo).

Local luminaries attending that show included Andy Hall, Chris Pandolfi, and a red headed, Tennessee Volunteer hat wearing freak aka Bluegrass Dustin  .

This band needs to be at Telluride and also have a NightGrass set. In addition to their musicianship, Jeff's energy and showmanship is unparalleled and infectious. He knows how to get the crowd riled up! 

Hot Sugar and I were having a discussion over whether they will be invited to play. I don't know how it works but I guess there are opinions that loyalty to Yonder will make an invite to Jeff and his band unlikely, at least in the short term.

Anyway, my $.02. The band is damn fun and seems like Tride is a natural for them.

 

[Hot Sugar]

I really hope to see Jeff back at Telluride in the next few years. I have yet to see the band, but some of the recent streams and recordings have been incredible. Danny Barnes is an absolute beast on the banjo. He's right up there with Andy, Noam, Panda and Bela as one of the best banjo players on the scene today (has he ever played Telluride before?).

While I hope to see Jeff, I doubt this is the year for it unfortunately. I think that wound may still be too fresh. There's still a hatchet to be buried.

 Listening to: Fruition

[Hot Sugar]

To clarify, I am not arguing against Jeff Austin being at Telluride this year. I would love to see Jeff come home. I just don't think it's likely.

 Listening to: Fruition

[Australian fan]

I really hope to see Jeff back at Telluride in the next few years. I have yet to see the band, but some of the recent streams and recordings have been incredible. Danny Barnes is an absolute beast on the banjo. He's right up there with Andy, Noam, Panda and Bela as one of the best banjo players on the scene today (has he ever played Telluride before?).

While I hope to see Jeff, I doubt this is the year for it unfortunately. I think that wound may still be too fresh. There's still a hatchet to be buried.

What does this mean Sugar? Was there a bad band break up? Sorry to ask a dumb question

[Auntie Hope]

I really hope to see Jeff back at Telluride in the next few years. I have yet to see the band, but some of the recent streams and recordings have been incredible. Danny Barnes is an absolute beast on the banjo. He's right up there with Andy, Noam, Panda and Bela as one of the best banjo players on the scene today (has he ever played Telluride before?).

While I hope to see Jeff, I doubt this is the year for it unfortunately. I think that wound may still be too fresh. There's still a hatchet to be buried.

What does this mean Sugar? Was there a bad band break up? Sorry to ask a dumb question

Uh... YUP! That''s what we've heard. Sad,isn't it.

[Australian fan]

I really hope to see Jeff back at Telluride in the next few years. I have yet to see the band, but some of the recent streams and recordings have been incredible. Danny Barnes is an absolute beast on the banjo. He's right up there with Andy, Noam, Panda and Bela as one of the best banjo players on the scene today (has he ever played Telluride before?).

While I hope to see Jeff, I doubt this is the year for it unfortunately. I think that wound may still be too fresh. There's still a hatchet to be buried.

What does this mean Sugar? Was there a bad band break up? Sorry to ask a dumb question

Uh... YUP! That''s what we've heard. Sad,isn't it.

Yeah, sad. I guess it happens everywhere, hard to watch it all happen in public and heartbreaking if it's a fabulous band xx

[Hot Sugar]

I really hope to see Jeff back at Telluride in the next few years. I have yet to see the band, but some of the recent streams and recordings have been incredible. Danny Barnes is an absolute beast on the banjo. He's right up there with Andy, Noam, Panda and Bela as one of the best banjo players on the scene today (has he ever played Telluride before?).

While I hope to see Jeff, I doubt this is the year for it unfortunately. I think that wound may still be too fresh. There's still a hatchet to be buried.

What does this mean Sugar? Was there a bad band break up? Sorry to ask a dumb question

I don't have any inside information on the nature of Jeff Austin's departure from Yonder. All I know is that they finished their spring tour in 2014, played one additional show in Breckenridge, and then announced Jeff's departure. It seems to me like the decision was made by all four members, but I have heard some people say Jeff was kicked out of the band and others say he quit.

However it went down, it does seem like there was some bad blood. For instance, the initial lineup for last year's String Summit had a Jeff Austin solo project on it. After it was announced that Jeff departed Yonder, his solo project was dropped from the lineup. As String Summit is largely Yonder's festival, it would seem that Jeff being dropped from the lineup was a direct result of him leaving the band. In addition, comments band members have made in interviews seem to allude to the split being somewhat hostile.

If there is in fact a hatchet to be buried, we can compare this situation to that of New Grass Revival's breakup in 1990. It's been 25 years and Pat Flynn (New Grass guitarist from 1981 until their breakup) has not played Telluride since. He's played other Planet Bluegrass festivals, but never Telluride.

I don't know if Jeff or any of the members of Yonder will hold a grudge, but if they do, history isn't on Jeff's side as far as an appearance at Telluride goes.

Speaking of which, I'd still love to see Pat Flynn make an appearance at Telluride. Especially if it was a Cowan, Scott and Flynn set!

[Pilgrim99]

Just saw Yonder here in Cleveland. The musicianship is still fantastic, and Allie and Jake add plenty to the show, but the band seemed to be still finding its new identity, and Ben mentioned a new album. It was a good show, not a great show. Here's hoping they find it by June!

(Also saw Greensky last night. Still recovering. The Last Bison opened, and they did blow the doors off.)

[Australian fan]

Just saw Yonder here in Cleveland. The musicianship is still fantastic, and Allie and Jake add plenty to the show, but the band seemed to be still finding its new identity, and Ben mentioned a new album. It was a good show, not a great show. Here's hoping they find it by June!

(Also saw Greensky last night. Still recovering. The Last Bison opened, and they did blow the doors off.)

I'm crazy about Greensky, so jealous!

[Sunnyand70]

Went to the show last night.

Off the hook. Just looking at the band members and seeing some of the preliminary videos, I knew they were going to be great, but what I heard last night convinced me they are going to be seen as one of the preliminary forces in extended improvisation in acoustic music of all time.

Different music and instrumentation, obviously but I seriously couldn't stop comparing their trajectory to something like the Miles Davis groups during the late 60's/early 70's. This is really innovative where they're going. It's something to do with Jeff's energy combined with THAT level of musicianship that's created something really worth seeing.

Find the tape and listen to what they did with Rag Doll. Unbelievable.

The album, while not the live band, is also really good.

The rest of the fam went to The Fox tonight, I have no doubt they will blow the doors of that unit and leave trail of fire between here and Kansas.

Watch out!

 Listening to: The Simple Truth - Jeff Austin Band

[petefrane]

slightly off the topic sorry Billy and sugar
But i have'nt seen Aussie fan exposed the Dusters yet
Check them out on youtube and you may miss work for
a day
I can't get enough of them     


 Listening to: Greensky

[Hot Sugar]

slightly off the topic sorry Billy and sugar
But i have'nt seen Aussie fan exposed the Dusters yet
Check them out on youtube and you may miss work for
a day
I can't get enough of them     

Best band in the business today, in my opinion!

[Australian fan]

slightly off the topic sorry Billy and sugar
But i have'nt seen Aussie fan exposed the Dusters yet
Check them out on youtube and you may miss work for
a day
I can't get enough of them     

Who? Who? The Dusters? Oh why are there SO MANY GREAT bands there. Ok, diving in now, you might not see me for a while if they are THAT good.......thanks team 
 Sorry I need some help here please.
Ok, so I'm on YouTube, type in The Dusters...there are heaps of bands called The Dusters ( or variations)....um, can I have a song title or something please otherwise I might be here a long time. Pete, Sugar? Which Dusters is best band in the business? Thanks!

[lohlah1]

The Infamous Stringdusters!   Awesome musicianship! 

 Listening to: Greensky

[BillyBeru]

Went to the show last night.

Off the hook. Just looking at the band members and seeing some of the preliminary videos, I knew they were going to be great, but what I heard last night convinced me they are going to be seen as one of the preliminary forces in extended improvisation in acoustic music of all time.

Different music and instrumentation, obviously but I seriously couldn't stop comparing their trajectory to something like the Miles Davis groups during the late 60's/early 70's. This is really innovative where they're going. It's something to do with Jeff's energy combined with THAT level of musicianship that's created something really worth seeing.

Find the tape and listen to what they did with Rag Doll. Unbelievable.

The album, while not the live band, is also really good.

The rest of the fam went to The Fox tonight, I have no doubt they will blow the doors of that unit and leave trail of fire between here and Kansas.

Watch out!

Nice review. Agree 100%.. And yeah, that Rag Doll was sick!

Another reason to bring JAB to Tride is so Danny can play banjo with REK during the bluegrass portion of his Thursday night closing set.