When you hear the name Jorma your mind completely overloads with memories of a distant time and place. You cannot help but relive the sounds of the '60s and '70s. This was an era of movement through music that has left an undeniable and unforgettable impression on humanity, social awareness, and musical culture that spans this big round spinning sphere. I really have no idea where to begin other than to convey my deepest respect to Jorma Kaukonen. He is a pioneering father figure of the San Francisco psychedelic musical awakening.

One of the greatest venues in Manhattan is the seasonal Pier 17 Rooftop. Located on the water in the Financial District, this venue boasts stunning views of Midtown behind the stage. Seeing one of your favorite bands there is truly special, and that was certainly the case for New York City's own Joe Russo's Almost Dead. This all-star quintet and Grateful Dead cover band delivered two incredible sets before Mother Nature intervened.

Bathed in the warm glow of a summer sunset, music aficionados descended upon the idyllic Vina Robles Amphitheatre on July 19th, eagerly anticipating the symphony of rock melodies from the acclaimed bands, Train and Better Than Ezra. As the evening sun washed the venue in hues of vibrant orange, the stage was primed for a transcendent fusion of music and fellowship.

On July 20, 2023, the Lobero Theatre resonated with the sounds of mastery and innovation as Jerry Douglas, the dobro virtuoso took the stage by storm. A palpable electricity permeated the air, the anticipation crackling like a live wire as fans, their faces glowing with excitement, gathered for a night destined to be filled with melodic enchantment.

On July 26, at the popular all-seasons concert venue KEMBA Live!, in Columbus, Ohio, waves parted, and classic guitars and keyboards came out to play in the hands of Warren Haynes and Gov’t Mule.

Jam rock titans Phish took New York City's Madison Square Garden by storm last Friday, July 28, 2023, for the first of seven performances at the famed arena. They always channel their collective creativity at what is known as the "World's Greatest Arena," and this run, which notably had no name or theme, was no exception. Both sets included stand-out jams, as the band showed up firing on all cylinders.

As the sun sets on the remaining dates in the Twiddle ledger, the band continues to put on inspiring shows, starting with the first night of the Levitt Pavilion in Westport, CT on July 21, 2023. This cozy, lush environment fostered the perfect place for the quintet to perform their magic. Both Mihali and Friends and Kung Fu opened, giving a definite festival vibe.

If you were discussing music with the casual listener or the hard-core fan who only follows a handful of bands on the regular and mentioned the name, Mark Lettieri, you would more than likely get some blank stares. If you continued the discussion and brought up groups like Snarky Puppy or The Fearless Flyers, some of those initially baffled would start drawing more recognition to the context of the conversation, but probably not many.

Graham Nash, the venerable icon of classic rock, graced the stage once again for a two-night, sold-out spectacle at the Lobero Theatre on the 15th and 16th of July. The extraordinary performance was a significant part of the theatre's 150th-anniversary festivities, adding an air of timeless charm to the historical milestone. The last time Nash's resonant melodies filled the theatre was in 2018, a memory that added a nostalgic touch to his return.

California’s favorite summertime band, The Beach Boys, played a sold-out concert on July 5th at the Vina Robles Amphitheatre in Paso Robles. The iconic band had just played their annual July 4th concert at the Hollywood Bowl for 18,000 people. That show featured special guests Mark McGrath and John Stamos joining the Beach Boys for a 20-song set. That was followed by a spectacular fireworks show with the Hollywood Symphony playing a live score.