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NEWS
BIO
Mandolinist, composer, teacher, studio musician, Jason Bailey possesses a range of musicianship of a well-seasoned professional. At the young age of 28, Jason quickly pushed through the Birmingham music scene to become a regional performing musician in a short amount of time. I was 18 when I got my first mandolin. My Dad came home from a garage sale with it, says Jason. It must have been destiny because the mandolin is now a part of his soul. That year Jason discovered mandolinist David Grisman as well as other great acoustic musicians. I didnt know music like that existed. I had never heard mandolins, violins and acoustic guitars playing essentially jazz with bluegrass instruments and tempo. While absorbing the diversities of these acoustic musicians he was also inspired to pursue a bachelors degree in music from Maryville College, in 1999. Jason naturally applied his formal education allowing him to be at home in a wide variety of musical genres, including celtic, bluegrass, jazz, rock, jam, country and folk. Jason entertains his audiences with a solid wholesome sound, and places himself in the mix of the greatest innovators of the acoustic music scene.
Jason is an essential and powerful asset to Birmingham-based favorites such as celtic-infused Shilleleagh Law, folk/rock Three Man Stone, bluegrass group The Bluegrass Cartel and the regional touring jazz/bluegrass/southern jam band Tonal Vision. He has been a welcomed guest at Birminghams City Stages and Do Dah Day, Mobiles Bayfest, Georgias Little Turnip Overnight Music Jam, and Acoustic Café in Hayden, Alabama. In regards to Jasons original, Prelude to a Fox on Tonal Visions second album Time of Calling, Birmingham Post Herald writes, I could have sworn I was listening to Bela Flecks greatest hits album with world-renowned mandolin player Sam Bush.
Southwood, Jasons recently released debut solo album, on his own label Joots Music, is already receiving much success. Public radio WBHM invited him on their local program Tapestry, which showcases Alabama artists. Although the album has many bluegrass overtones, bluegrass is not the only category of music that fits the album. Its an all original CD of acoustic music with influences from bluegrass, celtic, classical and jazz
and the instruments are just as diverse. Theres the traditional Greek instrument called the bouzouki. Also, the dobro, the guitar, the violin and of course the mandolin. The high energy bluegrass tribute Hog Waller Holler aired on the show prior to the brief interview with Jason.
Recorded at Synchromesh Studios and Boutwell Studios in Birmingham, Southwood is a documented journey of Jasons freedom to not be limited by one musical genre. Featuring nine original compositions, his music is diverse yet cohesive. The album flows from one song to the next allowing the listener to follow along the same journey; a journey which reflects and signifies Jasons innovative spirit, mandolin mastery, and professional compositional skills. At the same time, it pays homage to those who created what we now consider traditional music. His dedication is evident in songs such as the bittersweet Waterford Stroll, with its soothing melody that floats around chord arpeggio runs. Also, the adventurous Lewis and Clark, which despite the unusual meter shifts and key changes sounds much like something one would hear around a festival campfire jam. Jason has made his listeners aware that these great steps into the acoustic music world will be heard and celebrated
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