A big catch

What’s so hot about Hot Tuna? Well, the fact that its members, guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and electric bassist Jack Casady, are two of the most talented, influential and celebrated musicians on the planet makes them pretty damned hot. As part of the legendary San Francisco rock band Jefferson Airplane (and, for Casady, the Airplane’s next famous incarnation, Jefferson Starship), they helped set the tone for a whole generation in the ‘60s, representing and advancing the West Coast’s alternative culture and politics across the country and around the world.

Their subsequent formation of Hot Tuna, intended to be simply a “bluesman’s holiday” from the rock world, took off like crazy and is still going strong after almost three decades. Additionally, the list of people that Kaukonen and Casady have performed with reads like a Who’s Who of legendary rock and blues musicians. No need to even use their last names: Jimi, Janis, Jerry, Country Joe, Papa John…

Sweetening the pot even more, joining Hot Tuna at this North Valley Production will be New Jersey über-mandolinist Barry Mitterhoff, who along with Kaukonen and Casady (and popular rootsy opening duo Box Set) teaches at Kaukonen’s Fur Peace Ranch guitar camp (www.furpeaceranch.com) in the foothills of Southeastern Ohio.

Casady will join Box Set members Jim Brunberg (vocals and guitars) and Jeff Pehrson (vocals and acoustic guitar) for the opening set.

Should be a great night for Tunaheads and Boxheads and those about to convert!