Jerry Rockwell: acoustic and electric mountain dulcimers, acoustic and electric guitar, keyboard synthesizer
Influences
Steeleye Span, Fairport Convention, Richard Thompson, Pentangle, John Renbourn, Bert Jansch, Davey Graham, Peter Knight, The Strawbs, Procol Harum, Martin Carthy, Planxty, Andy Irvine, Paul Brady, Roger Nicholson, Mimi and Richard Farina, Jean Ritchie, Stephen Seifert, Leo Kretzner, Tim Britton, Alan Hovhaness, Ralph Vaughan-Williams, Gustav Holst, Percy Grainger, Frederick Delius, Archangelo Corelli, Giovanni Gabrieli, Palestrina, John Dowland, Cecil Sharp, Gustav Mahler, Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, Samuel Barber, Harold Budd, Brian Eno, Robert Fripp, Henry Kaiser, Fred Frith, Elliot Sharp, Bill Frisell, Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, George Benson, Howard Roberts, Larry Coryell, John Scofield, Carlos Santana, Jethro Tull, Pete Sutherland, RP Hale, Niles Hokkanen, Six Organs Of Admittance, Jack Rose, Espers, Feathers, Akron/Family, Sunburned Hand Of The Man, John Fahey
Sounds Like
Maybe a cross between Steeleye Span and Bill Frisell? Or how about the intersection of Richard Farina and Harold Budd?
Jerry Rockwell is one of a handful of folk musicians who, since about
1970, have been national and international advocates for the mountain dulcimer.
He is an accomplished player, teacher, and custom builder of this American
folk instrument. His currently available recordings are Favorite American
Folktunes (CD with extra Roots Project tracks recorded in 2000 featuring mostly solos on historic mountain dulcimers), and The Blackbird and the Beggarman (CD produced by Pete Sutherland originally for the Wizmak label in 1994). He has also written instructional texts for mountain dulcimer, including three titles available from JC Rockwell Music Publishing: Dulcimer Solos volume II, arrangements for intermediate level players; Beginner's Tunebook in D-A-A and D-A-D, with emphasis
on rhythmic foundations; and Music Theory and Chord Reference for the
Mountain Dulcimer. Jerry concentrated on music theory and composition
at Ohio State University. He lives and works in the Appalachian foothills
of southeast Ohio, and regularly teaches mountain dulcimer at workshops
across the country.
In August of 1980, Jerry had the opportunity to perform at several folk festivals in the UK, along with his partner at the time, Mary Ann Samuels, and Lois Hornbostel, a well-known author of many dulcimer books, and workshop coordinator. The trio made the rounds of the Sidmouth International Folk Festival as well as the Whitby Folk Festival.
Fast-forward to July 2007, and Jerry was invited to perform, lecture, and teach at the Folk Festival in Siglufjord, Iceland. He played to a packed house at the Herring Factory Museum in Siglufjord, and received glowing reviews from an interviewer at the Icelandic National Broadcast Radio Station:
"If I was to nominate the man of the festival, it would definitely be Jerry Rockwell."
Thank you for adding me as a friend. I appreciate your music and listening to it reminds me of all the great times I've had going to Mt. View, AR. I definitely support all you do to preserve our roots music.
Thanks for joining our circle of friends, and thanks for helping to keep Redd's legacy alive! Billy & Sharon www. reddstewart. com (Pee Wee King and his Golden West Cowboys)
I bought your beautiful CD at iTunes. Lovely music! I sent you and e-mail about the Dulcimer, but I'm not sure if you received it or saw it? Just want to be sure that we have an agreement. Can't sit still until I get one of your instruments and can use it in my next, new music! It will be experimental electronica mixed with the human touch of the Dulcimer :)
Hi Jerry, I am enjoying your music right now. What a wonderful sound you have created, both with building these amazing instruments and with your performance. Like a warming light in the darkness... Wish the best for you!..
Although the human's feet only occupy a small part of the earth, it is by the space he does not occupy, that man can walk on the immense earth . Although human intelligence only reaches a parcel of the total truth, it is by what it does not reach, that man can understand what is the sky. Tchouang Tze
Hi, Thanks to exist and be alive ! XXX Peace and Love Lehmon
so when are we going to do some music together on line? . . Just by chance listening to your interview with Steve Seifert again . . hope all is well jan pulsford in disguise
Hi Jerry, I saw you and Steven in Kent,OHIO what a glorious show the two of you put on! Thank you for sharing your beautiful music and insights on the dulcimer, Mel.
