In a career that has already spanned a half-century, guitarist and vocalist, Jorma Kaukonen has been one of the most highly respected interpreters of American roots music, blues, and Americana, and at the forefront of popular rock-and-roll. A member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a Grammy recipient, he is a founding member of two legendary bands, Jefferson Airplane and the still-touring Hot Tuna.

Hot Tuna continued their 50th-anniversary tour, which they began last year with a stop at the historic Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. The midweek show on February 19th featured an opening set by the iconic David Bromberg and his quartet. Both bands have made numerous appearances at the Lobero over the years, including past shows together, so it was no surprise that the event was a sellout.

In the midst of their 50th anniversary tour, Hot Tuna is joined by David Bromberg Quintet. The two beloved groups graced the stage of the storied Fillmore in San Francisco last weekend.  It was indeed a fitting venue for Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady whose deep-blues duo was birthed at Bill Graham’s Fillmore West in 1969.

Members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Grammy recipients Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady, were at the forefront of popular rock and roll, founders of the San Francisco sound and progenitors of Psychedelic Rock. For over 50 years they have continued to play dynamic original music as Hot Tuna! The dynamics of their music feels alive in the present and alive on a continuum from the moment the music percolates in their minds to the time it explodes into the theatre.

Hot Tuna brought the final show of their 50th Anniversary Tour to the Parker Playhouse in Ft Lauderdale, Florida for a special New Year’s Eve concert. The power-trio featured founding members Jorma Kaukonen on guitar and vocals, Jack Casady on bass as well as Justin Guip on drums. The veteran rockers delivered a two-set show of blues, traditional and psychedelic music.

The annual late fall Hot Tuna run through the Northeastern US is in full swing when I cross paths with the band’s tour itinerary in Poughkeepsie, NY. This night is different than the previous electric Hot Tuna 50th anniversary show we attended earlier in the year. This show will be an all-acoustic evening with intricate musicianship and a long way from over forty years ago (11/26/76) and the power-trio ear-splitting days of the 1970s at the Palladium on 14th Street in Manhattan.

This year marks fifty years since Americana rock duo Hot Tuna, consisting of legendary artists Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady, has been recording and performing together. What better way to celebrate than to just keep on trucking and playing?