Jorma Kaukonen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jorma Kaukonen |
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Kaukonen performing in 2009
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| Background information | |
| 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 Kaukonen (born December 23, 1940) is an American guitarist known for playing blues, folk, and rock music. He was a member of the famous band Jefferson Airplane. Jorma also plays regularly with Hot Tuna, a band he started with his friend and bassist Jack Casady. This band has been performing for over 55 years! Rolling Stone magazine even named him one of the "100 Greatest Guitarists." In 1996, he was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of Jefferson Airplane.
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Early Life and Learning Music
Jorma Ludwik Kaukonen Jr. was born in Washington, D.C., on December 23, 1940. His family moved around a lot because of his father's job with the State Department. They lived in places like Pakistan and the Philippines before returning to Washington, D.C. Jorma has a younger brother, Peter Kaukonen, who is also a musician.
When Jorma was a teenager in Washington, D.C., he and his friend Jack Casady formed a band called the Triumphs. Jorma played rhythm guitar, and Jack played lead guitar.
Learning Guitar Styles
Jorma went to Antioch College in Ohio. There, his friend Ian Buchanan taught him a special way of playing guitar called fingerstyle. This is where you use your fingers, not just a pick, to pluck the strings. Ian also introduced Jorma to the music of Reverend Gary Davis, a famous blues musician. Reverend Gary Davis's songs became very important to Jorma's music throughout his career.
In 1962, Jorma moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. He gave guitar lessons and played solo shows in coffee houses. He even played acoustic guitar with the famous singer Janis Joplin on some recordings in 1964.
Jorma's Music Career
Joining Jefferson Airplane
In 1965, Jorma met Paul Kantner, who was starting a new band. Jorma wasn't sure about joining at first because he loved country blues. But he became excited by all the cool sounds electric guitars could make. He even suggested the band's name, Jefferson Airplane, after a friend's dog! When the band needed a new bass player, Jorma suggested his friend Jack Casady.
Even though Jorma didn't sing or write many songs for Jefferson Airplane, he added important music to their albums. He wrote the instrumental song "Embryonic Journey." He also helped arrange 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 a new band called Hot Tuna. This was a side project that let them play longer and explore different music styles. At first, Hot Tuna played acoustic blues, showing off Jorma's amazing fingerpicking skills. Their first album, also called Hot Tuna, was recorded live in 1969.
As Jefferson Airplane started to break up in the early 1970s, Hot Tuna became an electric band. They even had a hit song called "Ja Da (Keep on Truckin')" from their album Burgers. Jorma started writing more songs for the band during this time.
In the mid-1970s, Hot Tuna became known for loud, long rock performances. They toured a lot in the United States and Europe. Hot Tuna stopped playing together in 1978 for a while.
Solo Music and Other Projects
Jorma started his solo career before Hot Tuna broke up. In 1974, he released his first solo album, Quah. This album included the song "Genesis," which was later used in movies.
In 1979, Jorma released his second solo album, Jorma. He tried out a new look and sound, which some fans didn't like. He released another album, Barbeque King, in 1980.
Jorma continued to play as a solo artist throughout the 1980s. He often played very long shows, starting with acoustic music and then switching to electric.
In 1985, Jorma and Jack Casady reunited for a Hot Tuna tour. This helped bring the band back together. In 1989, Jorma also helped bring Jefferson Airplane back together for a reunion tour and album.
Jorma has continued to make music and collaborate with other artists. His 2002 album Blue Country Heart was even nominated for a Grammy Award.
Fur Peace Ranch
Jorma and his wife, Vanessa, own and run the Fur Peace Ranch. This is a music and guitar camp in Ohio where people can go to learn and play music. It's a big place with a recording studio. 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 called Been So Long: My Life and Music.
Jorma's Personal Life
Jorma married his first wife, Margareta, in 1964. They later divorced in 1983. He met his second wife, Vanessa, in 1988, and they got married that same year. Jorma has a son named Zachary and an adopted daughter named Izze.
Musical Instruments
When Jorma was with Jefferson Airplane, he mostly played a Gibson ES-345 guitar. Today, he uses and supports Martin Guitars. In 2010, Martin Guitars even released a special Jorma Kaukonen Custom Artist Edition guitar.
Epiphone also released a Jorma Kaukonen signature model Riviera guitar in 2002. Jorma uses Fishman Loudbox amps and plays Flammang Acoustic Guitars.
Music Albums
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See also
In Spanish: Jorma Kaukonen para niños
