Jorma Kaukonen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jorma Kaukonen |
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Kaukonen performing at the Crossroads Guitar Festival, 2009
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| Birth name | Jorma Ludwik Kaukonen Jr. |
| Born | December 23, 1940 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
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| Years active | 1964–present |
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Jorma Ludwik Kaukonen Jr. (born December 23, 1940) is a well-known American guitarist. He plays blues, folk, and rock music. Jorma was a member of the famous band Jefferson Airplane. He still performs regularly with Hot Tuna, a band he started with bassist Jack Casady. Rolling Stone magazine named him one of the greatest guitarists. In 1996, he joined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of Jefferson Airplane.
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About Jorma Kaukonen
Jorma Kaukonen was born in Washington, D.C.. His father was Jorma Ludwik Kaukonen Sr. His family moved often because of his father's job with the State Department. They lived in places like Pakistan and the Philippines. Jorma also has a younger brother, Peter Kaukonen, who is also a musician.
As a teenager in Washington, Jorma and his friend Jack Casady formed a band. They called themselves the Triumphs. Jorma played rhythm guitar, and Jack played lead guitar.
Jorma later went to Antioch College in Ohio. There, his friend Ian Buchanan taught him a special way to play guitar. This style is called fingerstyle guitar. Jorma also learned songs by Reverend Gary Davis, which he still plays today.
In 1962, Jorma moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. He studied at the University of Santa Clara. He also gave guitar lessons. During this time, he played solo shows in coffee houses. He even played acoustic guitar with Janis Joplin on some early recordings.
Joining Jefferson Airplane
In 1965, Jorma met Paul Kantner. Paul invited Jorma to join a new band he was starting with Marty Balin. Jorma loved country blues music. He was excited by the new sounds he could make with an electric guitar.
The band needed a name. Jorma suggested "Jefferson Airplane." He got the idea from a friend who had named his dog that. When their first bass player left, Jorma suggested his friend Jack Casady. Jack then joined the band.
Jorma didn't sing or write many songs for Jefferson Airplane. But he added important music to their albums. These included the guitar song "Embryonic Journey." He also arranged classic songs like "Good Shepherd" and B.B. King's "Rock Me Baby." He still plays many of these songs today.
Starting Hot Tuna
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In 1969, Jorma and Jack Casady formed Hot Tuna. This was a side project that let them play longer songs. At first, Hot Tuna included Marty Balin and Jorma's brother Peter.
Hot Tuna's first album was recorded live in 1969. It showed off Jorma's acoustic blues guitar skills. As Jefferson Airplane slowly ended, Hot Tuna became an electric band. They had a hit song called "Ja Da (Keep on Truckin')" from their album Burgers. Jorma also started writing more songs for the band.
In the mid-1970s, Hot Tuna's music became louder and more rock-focused. They were known for playing very long live shows. Hot Tuna toured a lot in the 1970s. The band took a break in 1978.
Solo Music and Fur Peace Ranch
Jorma started his solo career before Hot Tuna took a break. His first solo album, Quah, came out in 1974. One of its songs, "Genesis," was used in movies.
He released more solo albums, like Jorma in 1979. He continued to play music by himself throughout the 1980s. He often played long shows, starting with acoustic songs and then electric ones.
In 1985, Jorma and Jack Casady got back together for a Hot Tuna tour. This helped lead to a Jefferson Airplane reunion tour in 1989.
Jorma has continued to make music and collaborate with other artists. His 2002 album Blue Country Heart was even nominated for a Grammy Award.
Today, Jorma and his wife Vanessa own the Fur Peace Ranch. It is a music and guitar camp in Ohio. Jorma still records and tours with Jack Casady and other friends as Hot Tuna.
In 2018, Jorma wrote a book about his life and music. It is called Been So Long: My Life and Music.
Jorma's Personal Life
Jorma Kaukonen married his first wife, Lena "Margareta" Pettersson, in 1964. He later married Vanessa in 1988. Jorma has a son named Zachary and an adopted daughter named Izze.
Music Gear
When Jorma was with Jefferson Airplane, he mainly used a Gibson ES-345 guitar. Today, Jorma uses and supports Martin Guitars. Martin Guitars even made a special Jorma Kaukonen Custom Artist Edition guitar in 2010.
Epiphone also released a Jorma Kaukonen signature Riviera guitar in 2002. Jorma also uses Fishman Loudbox amplifiers. He also plays Flammang Acoustic Guitars.
Discography
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See also
In Spanish: Jorma Kaukonen para niños
