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Jason Crigler
Rock / Indie / Classic Rock



CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts
United States

Profile Views:  39103




Last Login:  7/11/2009
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   Jason Crigler: General Info
Member Since8/13/2006
Band Websitewww.thefirmrecords.com
Band MembersJason Crigler - Vocals and Guitar

Paul Bryan - Bass

Dan Rieser - Drums

Record LabelThe Firm Records
Type of LabelIndie


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   Upcoming Shows ( view all )
Aug 29 2009 6:00P
Atwood’s Tavern Cambridge, Massachusetts

Jason Crigler's Latest Blog Entry  [Subscribe to this Blog]

New release! "The Music of Jason Crigler"  (view more)

NBC Featured Jason's Story  (view more)

Feb. 15th at The Living Room in NYC  (view more)

13 QUESTION METHOD: JASON CRIGLER  (view more)

[View All Blog Entries]

   About Jason Crigler
Persevering through hard times is one of the greatest and most eternal themes of blues and soul music. Jason Crigler, a New York based singer/songwriter and highly sought out guitarist has always found inspiration in that music, but little did he know how that he would endure and win a battle for his life that would give the toughest bluesman a run for his money. His new album, Down Like Hail, is a riveting document of a musician playing for the sheer love of it, but it also is the testament of someone who has played for the biggest stakes of all – his own life.

Jason made his reputation as one of the most sought after guitarists in New York through his work in the band Goats in Trees (which he formed with his wife Monica) and by playing with such luminaries as Linda Thompson, John Cale, Marshall Crenshaw, Teddy Thompson, Juliana Nash and Edison Woods. In 2003, Jason began to play under his own name, and began the process of recording what would become Down Like Hail. By the middle of 2004, Jason was excited about upcoming plans for recording and touring, and was even more thrilled about becoming a father, as Monica was expecting their first child.

Then things took a drastic turn. Jason recounts:

“It was August 4, 2004. I was playing a gig and after the first couple of songs all of a sudden things got really weird – everything sounded and felt very distant. It got so freaky I had to leave the stage. Thank God Monica was there. I couldn’t hear anything. I finally lay down on the ground and that’s the last thing I remember for a year and a half.”

What Jason had was an AVM, which stands for Arterio-Venous Malformation. It is a collection of abnormal blood vessels in the brain, which then burst, like an aneurysm. The threat to Jason’s life was very real, and initially, the doctors didn’t give Jason much, if any chance to recover. (“They made a lot of doomsday predictions that turned out to be wrong,” says Jason.) He went through three different hospitals, various surgeries and even when it became apparent that Jason would survive, there was no guarantee that he’d ever walk again, let alone be a working musician.

It was a grim prognosis for Jason, both medically and financially, but it was then that his friends stepped in. In January of 2005, Norah Jones, who Jason had met and played with for years when they were both sitting in night after night at the Living Room, announced that she was headlining a benefit show for Jason at Irving Plaza, a show that raised over $50,000 for Jason’s medical expenses. Norah said about Jason in announcing the show, "Everyone who has ever had the pleasure of playing with Jason will know how special he can make it feel and sound, and what a magical cast he helps to create within all the music he plays.”

With support from family and friends, Jason was on his long journey back. And after almost 18 months of intense physical therapy in which he had to struggle to relearn such basic actions as walking and talking, in early of January 2006, Jason was well enough to begin playing guitar again – but that was an immense challenge. As Jason recounts, “Because of the bleeding I had, initially I could barely get my fingers to play. After 10 minutes I would have to stop. I saw a physical therapist, which helped, and by April, I sat in with Teddy Thompson. I played one song – it was tiring, but I did it. And then, on my birthday, May 27th, I was playing with Rachel Loshak, and it all came together. I was overjoyed.”

Now, in 2007, Jason has readied the release of Down Like Hail, an album that he recorded prior to his illness, but one that with it’s blues spirit, portends much of what Jason endured with his illness. He explains, “To me, it’s an album about the blues. There aren’t any actual blues songs, but the approach to the album and the influences come out from my love of blues and old soul. It was all recorded live – no overdubs. Me and my guys (Paul Bryan on bass and Dan Rieser on drums) just walked in and put it down.”

The album showcases Jason’s melodic sensibility and versatility as a player, arranger and singer. There’s the punchiness of “Bush and the Tree Song, Part One,” and the loping rhythms and laconic feel of the hooky “She Waits For An Answer.” Jason’s love of American music is present in his version of “Swing Down Sweet Chariot” (“I got it from Elvis’s gospel sessions – I don’t do it nearly as well as him.”) and “What I May Love,” which was inspired by Jason trying a Skip James guitar tuning and then writing a song around it.

With the appreciation and hard earned knowledge of how fragile and lucky he is, Jason has now tapped into something previously unavailable to him. He explains, “I feel like I’m playing from a much more authentic place now – I’m a better player now then I was before.” As a musician dedicated to constant growth, improvement and communication, Jason Crigler is unique even beyond his considerable skills, for his playing now comes from a struggle and journey that few ever take, let alone emerge from. But after all he’s been through, his goals are simpler and perhaps more profound. “I want to play good music continually do it better,” he explains, “And I want to hang out with my daughter Ellie J.”

.. JASON CRIGLER BAND "DOWN LIKE HAIL" IS AVAILABLE HERE --> Buy the CD


   


   Jason Crigler's Friend Space (Top 6)
Jason Crigler has 2352 friends.
 The Music of Jason Crigler 


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 South Croyden 





Jason Crigler's Friends Comments
Displaying 25 of 221 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
.::mari::.





Jul 13 2009 4:23 PM

Thanks for the add! You are such an inspiration for everyone... My husband and I were really inspired by your story. Take care!
anthonyTURCO





Jul 12 2009 3:28 PM

Hey about 3 days ago I saw the short film/documentary about everything that happened in your life, I must say it was truly heart felt, I just wanted to tell you something you already know, you have one amazing family!

You are a great guitar player!

I wish you the best.
Richie Colin Isaacs





Jul 12 2009 12:37 PM

Howdy Jason!
Cheers for the accept mate, some dang fine music and one hell of an inspiring story too!
Nice ta meet'n'hear ya
Richie
My Epiphone
Timothy Moffett - One Man Rock Orchestra





Jul 11 2009 11:39 PM

;o)
Linda





Jul 11 2009 7:26 PM


Thanks For The Add!
Grab a new Myspace 2.0 Layout



Mr D





Jul 11 2009 7:04 PM

MAN YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE AN INSPIRATION FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME, THAT SOMETIMES FEEL LIKE GIVING UP. THANKS AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
finding beauty in the dissonance





Jul 11 2009 5:34 PM

Thank you so much for the add! You are truly an inspiration. Keep making beautiful music! :)
South Croyden





Apr 3 2009 1:46 AM

That’s the day we find life on Mars.
Do they ride bikes do they drive big cars?
Do they live in condos, do they go to bars?

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Jake Armerding





Apr 1 2009 1:25 AM

.. ..
www.globalzerorecords.com





Mar 14 2009 2:59 PM

Corinne Chapman





Feb 27 2009 6:25 PM

I know I've asked some of you and I'm sorry for hounding, but it's getting down to the wire. There are LESS THAN 5 HOURS of voting left. Please just take a minute to go vote for me. Little Big Town is taking the top 4 bands onto their tour to open a show. I'm the ONLY girl in the top. It takes a minute. Click the picture below or go to www. eventful. com/littlebigtown and DO IT NOW!!! Thanks! If you've already voted, pass the word...Anything helps! Thanks again! Please, please, pretty please?


Josey Greenwell





Feb 26 2009 11:40 PM

Heyy how are you??
I reaalllllyyy need your help!... I have a day left in this contest I am in to open up for Little Big Town on their tour and could really use a vote from ya. If you have any free time to Id really appreciate it you have no idea haha. I put the voting box under my music player so it should be easy to find, but if not let me know and ill help ya or go here and vote!

http://eventful. com/competitions/littlebigtown2009

thank youuu :)
Mark





Feb 26 2009 4:43 AM

whitesalmonguitar





Feb 15 2009 3:45 AM

Hi Jason,
I have enjoyed discovering your tunes. Wanted to invite you and your friends to visit my new website. Stop by and let me know what you think.
http://www. whitesalmonguitar. com/
Regards,
Craig-
Mark





Feb 2 2009 4:34 PM



The Craic Festival 2009 has invited FairplayCollective to play at this years Festival. All members will be playing in the round. The show is at The Mercury Lounge, March 14th at 8pm. This is the last night of the festival and Foy Vance is also on the bill. What more can I say, a great night for music and film, with the odd star thrown in. Come show your support.
DWILT SHARPP





Jan 28 2009 1:38 PM



Thanks,
New release soon...
keep in touch !
Benedict Songwriter





Jan 25 2009 6:18 PM

Thanks for the add !!
It's great to have you as friend !!
Wish you a year of light, peace and great music !!
Parkington Sisters





Jan 25 2009 4:21 PM

Thanks for being a friend.


Rose, Sarah, Ariel, Nora and Lydia

MANU





Jan 25 2009 10:35 AM

myspace comments
Thanks For The Add MySpace Comments
TGFA





Jan 19 2009 10:32 PM

Hey Jason, we know it's late, but we wanted to wish you and your family a great 2009! Good luck, good health and good fun, from Chris and Rose Fender and TGFA!
Groove on!
South Croyden





Jan 1 2009 7:40 AM

Hello Jason! Blessings on you and your family. May 2009 be a wonderful year filled with Hope. Please Stop by and enjoy 'Old Club' and 'Better Days' when you get a chance.

Photobucket

Photobucket
COAST 2 COAST MIXTAPES





Dec 31 2008 11:12 PM

We're now accepting submissions for our next mixtapes, please submit
your info at www. coast2coastsubmissions. com for your chance to get a
spot on the next mixtape!











Enter the Hi Rollerz Records Contest to get a $20,000 record deal!


Patrick Official (Says Nothing)





Nov 26 2008 8:38 PM

Digital greetings! Thanks for the add.
Keep-it-Tuned!
Rebery





Oct 29 2008 7:40 PM

Hi friends, we hope you are fine.
We have uploaded 3 new songs of our new record.
The songs are:
INTO THE SILENCE
SOMEWHERE
ON THE QUIET
We will be glad to know your opinion,
thanks for your time.
Scribbler





Sep 30 2008 2:38 PM

Thanks for having me.
:-)
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