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	John Reischmann and the Jaybirds' latest album is Field Guide. John Reischmann and the Jaybirds will be playing on Sunday, April 18, at 7 p.m., with Garrison Keillor.

JOHN REISCHMANN AND THE JAYBIRDS

Vancouver, British Columbia-based mandolin master John Reischman has assembled a truly international West Coast band for his latest exciting foray into the world of bluegrass music.

Field Guide (Corvus CR 010), the latest hard-driving album by John Reischman and the Jaybirds, is an impressive and energetic follow-up to the band's sparkling debut recording.

Building on the distinctive, classic sound of their debut 'John Reischman and the Jaybirds' album (Corvus CR008/Copper Creek CCCD0205), Field Guide presents a fresh take on traditional material and eight powerful band originals. The combination of vintage gems, original vocal songs and the Jaybirds' trademark original instrumentals - variously bluesy, hard-edged and haunting - is dynamic and refreshing.

John gathered plenty of praise for his two outstanding solo instrumental albums, 'North of the Border' (Rounder 315) and 'Up in the Woods' (Corvus 006). Here's what the music world said about the Jaybirds' debut album: "Plenty of variety, a distinctive style, an excellent selection of songs and impeccable musicianship" - Dirty Linen. "42 minutes of must-have music." - Flatpicking Guitar.

John is well-known to fans and peers alike for his powerhouse mandolin playing, first coming to prominence in the early 80s with California's legendary Tony Rice Unit and eclectic Good Ol' Persons. Since then he has carved out a well-deserved reputation in the elite upper stratosphere of mandolin players.

The rest of the Jaybirds are veterans Jim Nunally on guitar and vocals, Trisha Gagnon on bass and vocals, Nick Hornbuckle on 5-string banjo and Greg Spatz on fiddle. Jim, from the San Francisco Bay area, has established himself over two decades as a versatile guitarist with wonderful tone, speed and clarity. The vocalist, composer and producer also appeared with John on the 1997 Grammy-winning CD 'True Life Blues, the Songs of Bill Monroe.' Jim also plays select performances with the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience.

Chilliwack, B.C.-based Trisha Gagnon has a soaring, unique voice that adds an extra dimension to the Jaybirds' sound. A long-time member of B.C.'s award-winning Tumbleweed band, Trisha's impressive lead singing is complemented by her strategic attack and decay on the bass, underpinning the band's tight delivery.

Seattle's Nick Hornbuckle is widely considered to be one of the Pacific Northwest's leading traditional banjo stylists. Nick 'comes front and centre with his fine, syncopated, woody banjo tone,' says Tim Stafford in the liner notes to Field Guide. Nick, a prolific composer, contributes two timeless instrumentals to the new album.

Fiddler Magazine describes Spokane's Greg Spatz as "a world-class bluegrass fiddler." His distinctive tone and wide-ranging style have made him a popular player for years; his performing resume includes stints with Frank Wakefield, High Country and dobro wizard Rob Ickes.