Their latest album , Across the Pond , clearly demonstrates their creative roots in both Ireland and America ...
HEADLINERS
2 0 2 4 O I B F P R O G R A M OKLAHOMA ’ S INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
JigJam
Getting JigJam with it
by JOE MACK
Y
ou ’ ve heard of bluegrass , and you ’ re probably familiar with iTunes , but when was the last time you updated your iGrass ?
Luckily for you , you ’ re reading this program , which means you ’ re either at Oklahoma ’ s best bluegrass festival or relishing in the post-fest reverie that included an encounter with Ireland ’ s own JigJam .
JigJam is known for their unique blend of iGrass , short for Irish Bluegrass , embracing the roots of Celtic traditionalism crossed with Americana and folk music , yielding a highly exciting and entertaining blend of the music that ’ s easy for the bluegrass crowd to love .
JigJam ’ s members are from Ireland - Jamie McKeogh ( lead vocals , guitar ) and Daithi Melia ( banjo , dobro ) are from Offaly , and Gavin Strappe ( mandolin , tenor banjo ) was born in Tipperary . Kevin Buckley ( fiddle ) rounds out the band . JigJam still pushes a wall of sound , even without a bassist , which really allows the mid and high range frequencies to shine , where Irish melodies are their most pronounced .
Bluegrass Today proclaims , “ JigJam demonstrates a verve and versatility that allows them to transcend any singular style and simply create a sound that doesn ’ t defer to any preconceived parameters . In that regard they are fully capable of conveying any number of truly tuneful treats .”
Their latest album , Across the Pond , clearly demonstrates their creative roots in both Ireland and America , and in recent years they ’ ve performed some of American music ’ s most lauded stages and festivals – the Grand Ole Opry and DelFest among them . Now it ’ s time to add Guthrie to the list .
Clayton Edwards from American Songwriter sums it up perfectly , “ JigJam shows listeners where the genre came from while also demonstrating where it can go in the future .”
IBF
Their latest album , Across the Pond , clearly demonstrates their creative roots in both Ireland and America ...
4 / OKLAHOMA ’ S INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL 2024