JOHN REISCHMAN AND THE JAYBIRDS

WITH OTTER OPRY 

AT MONTEREY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

         Otter Opry is excited to announce that John Reischman and the Jaybirds will headline on Thursday, April 7th at the United Methodist Church. Bluegrass Unlimited calls John Reischman "one of the world’s undisputed masters” of the mandolin, famed for outstanding tone and taste. The Jaybirds put their own particular stamp on bluegrass, old time and acoustic roots music, with a satisfying blend of traditional and modern styles.  

        Reischman and his predominantly British Columbia and Washington state-based Jaybirds create music that rings with emotional honesty. Great harmony singing, masterful instrumental playing, and a band that clearly enjoys playing together make for a truly memorable performance.

        As Bluegrass Unlimited has noted, the mountains the Jaybirds call home may be along the Pacific Coast instead of Eastern Kentucky, but the music they play rings clear and true from sea to shining sea. Solid, no-nonsense bluegrass that blends original songs and instrumentals with the heart of Appalachian music is what you’ll hear when you join Otter Opry for this one-of-a-kind performance. Don’t miss it!

7pm

$33/show (CBA members $30; 15 and under free); $10-15/pre-show dinner. 

(831) 375-8285

 Otter Opry requires proof of vaccination for all concert goers and event staff. If you do not have your vaccination, proof of a negative test received in the last 48 hours will suffice. We will also follow all current CDC, State of California, and Monterey County mask mandates.

AJ LEE AND BLUE SUMMIT

WITH OTTER OPRY

AT MONTEREY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

A very special bluegrass treat is coming to Otter Opry on Saturday, February 19that the United Methodist Church: the award-winning and frankly phenomenal AJ Lee and Blue Summit. First appearing in Santa Cruz in 2015, the band has released multiple albums and performed all over the world. 

And talk about musicianship. With AJ on mandolin, Sully Tuttle and Jesse Fichman on steel-stringed acoustic guitars, Jan Purat on fiddle, and Chad Bowen on upright bass, the group has swept awards all the way from here to Sunday. Northern California Bluegrass Society (NCBS) Best Female Vocalist (2020, nine-time winner). NCBS Best Bluegrass Band (2020). FreshGrass Band Contest Winner (2019). International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Momentum Vocalist of the Year (2019). And the list goes on. 

While the band falls loosely under the bluegrass label, you’ll hear not only classic bluegrass numbers but also tunes from that hard-to-define realm of acoustic Americana. Drawing from influences such as swing, folk, blues, jazz, country, soul and rock, their music harks back to traditional classics while remaining uniquely modern. The lyrics of AJ’s original songs are mesmerizing, and every member of the group is a master of his or her instrument. You really don’t want to miss this show!

7pm.

$25/show (CBA members $20; 15 and under free).

 (831) 375-8285, 

Otter Opry requires proof of vaccination for all concert goers and event staff. If you do not have your vaccination, proof of a negative test received in the last 48 hours will suffice. We will also follow all current CDC, State of California, and Monterey County mask mandates.

LONESOME ACE STRINGBAND

 WITH OTTER OPRY

AT MONTEREY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Otter Opry has something extra special in store for the Monterey bluegrass community on Wednesday, May 11th at the United Methodist Church: The Lonesome Ace Stringband, an old-time band with bluegrass chops that plays some righteous folk and country music. There's a depth of groove and sense of space not often heard in bluegrass today, a level of instrumental interplay and vocal blend uncommon in old-time, and an on-stage rapport that is truly delightful.

Instrumentation alone instantly sets this band’s sound apart. Consisting of just fiddle (John Showman), clawhammer banjo (Chris Coole), and upright bass (Max Heineman), the band moves freely between having a sound so powerful that it doesn't seem like it should be coming from a trio, to a gentle tone that draws the listener in and refreshes the ear. What’s more, all three are compelling lead singers, and when their voices come together, the power of the resulting harmonies is unshakable. 

The band has toured internationally, been engaged by some of the largest festivals in North America and Europe, and recorded five albums. Bluegrass Unlimited described the fourth album — "Modern Old-Time Sounds for the Bluegrass and Folksong Jamboree," which showcased the band's musical range — as "unorthodox enough to be brilliant." And that’s exactly the kind of musical excitement you can look forward to at this show.

7pm. 

 $25/show (CBA members $20; 15 and under free); $10-15/pre-show dinner. 

(831) 375-8285,

Please check the website in early April to see COVID restrictions.