Jazz Mandolin Project

Suburban and Wayne Times
April 19, 2001

Long associated with bluegrass and John Paul Jones string arrangements, the mandolin is hardly the first instrument that pops into mind at the mention of jazz. However, when Jamie Masefield's Jazz Mandolin Project rolls into Haverford College for a gig Wednesday night, they will be on a mission to shift such perceptions.

Rather aptly named, the Jazz Mandolin Project has been in existence for seven years now, after being formed as a sort of revolving cast of musicians by Vermont native Masefield back in 1994. Now in its third incarnation in as many albums, JMP has released its latest LP, Xenoblast, on the prestigious Blue Note label.

Released last May, Xenoblast continues the trend of building upon the band's past offerings. Following an eponymous debut in 1996 recorded by the original core trio, Masefield enlisted the assistance of Phish drummer Jon Fishman and bassist Chris Dahlgren to record 1998's live offering, Tour de Flux.


Masefield's decision to invite Fishman into the "family" of musicians that tour and record as JMP was certainly a shrewd one. As is the case with nearly every artist that associates with Phish or any individual member thereof, JMP saw an astronomical leap in their fanbase following the addition of Fishman, due mostly to an influx of neo-hippie Phishheads eager to check out what their musical heroes do with their free time.


In Masefield's defense, he is a longtime friend and fan of Phish, going back to the days when some of Phish's very first performances took place in Masefield's dorm room at the University of Vermont. Therefore, it is certainly unfair to suggest that Masefield's decision to throw Fishman into the fold was strategically driven, but it sure makes for some good copy.


In fact, after being signed to Blue Note, Masefield recruited New Yorker Ari Hoenig to replace Fishman on the skins and took the trio to a little studio-in-a-barn tucked away in the Green Mountains of Vermont. The owner of that studio -- Phish frontman and guitarist Trey Anastasio.


And the Phishiness doesn't quite stop there. Trey not only lent JMP studio time and space, he jumped in and took over engineering duties for the album and the disc's final track, "Hang Ten" features some licks from guest guitarist, yup, you guessed it, Trey Anastasio.


Phish connections aside, however, the Jazz Mandolin Project certainly commands attention from the musical community not because of their connections with outside musicians, but because of how the musicians within the project connect with each other. Although the trio has been through several touring lineups, Masefield has remained strong at the helm, providing the necessary anchor for the group to continue to mature and gel as a unit.


What keeps the group's sound fresh and always developing is their rigorous touring schedule. Masefield estimates that JMP played over 125 shows last year and the group is on pace to continue that clip this year.
Wednesday's Haverford College show should be a special one, considering how rare it's becoming to have the opportunity to catch the trio in such a small venue. The intimate surroundings of the Founder's Great Hall should provide the perfect setting for JMP to traipse through their complexly beautiful arrangements at one moment before jamming out flat jungle-style the next.


No kidding -- the opening title track of Xenoblast features an undeniable jungle-esque drum and bass vibe. It is precisely this type of musical diversity that thrusts JMP into the upper echelon of emerging artists who experiment with the jazz-influenced jam style of music performance.


Don't miss out on this special treat; but don't forget to not let the name fool you too much -- this is not your father's jazz and JMP comes to play. Expect a late night.