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Photo Trent Freeman

ABOTMA is excited to announce that Canadian, British Columbia based, John Reischman and The Jaybirds (John Reischman - mandolin, Nick Hornbuckle – banjo, Trisha Gagnon – vocals and bass, Patrick Sauber – guitar) will be joining us at Mountaingrass 13 – 15 November 2026.

Like John Reischman, the powerful mandolinist and composer at its helm, the Jaybirds fashion a stylish take on Bluegrass that seamlessly blends original songs and instrumentals with Appalachian Old-Time music for a truly unique band sound. Now in their 20th year, with seven acclaimed albums, the Jaybirds are simultaneously innovative and unadorned, sophisticated and stripped-down, happily old-fashioned and 21st-century contemporary.

Bluegrass Unlimited calls John Reischman “one of the world’s undisputed masters” of the mandolin, famed for outstanding tone and taste. Many of his dozens of original instrumentals have become popular favourites for sessions and covers, such as the jam standard Salt Spring. He has three critically-acclaimed solo instrumental albums and has recorded on many other projects, including the Grammy-winning True Life Blues: The Songs of Bill Monroe.

Guitarist Patrick Sauber joined The Jaybirds in 2017. The veteran performer has played with, among others, Doc Watson, Richard Greene, John Jorgensen, Peter Rowan, Tim O’Brien and John Fogerty. Bluegrass Unlimited describes Patrick’s playing on John’s tune Daylighting the Creek as “a glorious flatpicking solo that hews back to the glory days of early Bluegrass guitar.”

Trisha Gagnon is portrayed by Sing Out! as “one of the most versatile” and “irresistible” lead vocalists in Bluegrass, her strong and distinctive style ranging from “mournful and plaintive” to “hopeful and yearning.” Trisha anchors what Dirty Linen magazine calls “gorgeous three-part harmonies.” Her solo album includes guests Vince Gill and Peter Rowan.

Nick Hornbuckle has developed his own voice on the five-string banjo – a two-finger roll unlike other contemporary banjo players. “Nick Hornbuckle’s banjo can be downright spine-tingling,” said the L.A Daily News. His sprightly instrumental Wellesley Station on the new Jaybird album “showcases Nick’s sharp picking and sense of melody,” said Green Man Review.

John Reischman & The Jaybirds appearing in 2026