News

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.

Known as one of the very top mandolin players and composers since he played with the iconic Tony Rice Unit in the early 1980s, Grammy-and-International Bluegrass Music Awards winner John has produced eight highly-acclaimed albums with the Jaybirds over three decades. Their latest release, The Salish Sea, is praised as a masterclass in both new acoustic and traditional music, with all five band members contributing tunes and songs. “The highlight of the Salish Sea is the material written within the group,” said Bluegrass Today, with John’s original title track called “a brilliant piece of instrumentalism.” Stir called it “beautiful, slightly wild, and with subtle hints of darkness.”

The Jaybirds will be playing many tunes from The Salish Sea and John’s forthcoming fifth solo instrumental album, which will feature the outstanding three-part “bluegrass concerto” he was commissioned to write by the FreshGrass Institute.

Vancouver-based John is known for generating gorgeous tone on his famous 1924 “Loar” Gibson F-5 mandolin, and has written more than 60 masterful compositions, influential to many musicians. He’s played for 27 years with Jaybirds founding members Nick Hornbuckle, of Nanaimo, BC, on 5-string banjo and Trisha Gagnon, of Chilliwack, BC, on stand-up bass and lead vocals. Los Angeles-based guitarist and lead vocalist Patrick Sauber joined the band 10 years ago. All are renowned, top-drawer players with multiple recording projects of their own.

Trisha is portrayed by Sing Out! as an “irresistible” lead vocalist, anchoring what Dirty Linen calls “gorgeous three-part harmonies.” Her compelling songwriting dates back to her days with the award-winning British Columbia band Tumbleweed, and her solo album includes guests Vince Gill and Peter Rowan.

Known for a unique two-finger roll that generates deep, earthy tone, Nick’s two solo albums of original instrumentals were both nominated for Canadian Folk Music Awards, and the second, 13 or So, a Canadian Juno award. Steve Martin praised the album as “brilliant and beautiful.”

Guitarist Patrick has played with Doc Watson, Peter Rowan, Richard Greene and John Fogerty, and played on the Grammy-nominated Hazel and Alice Sessions with Laurie Lewis. He also played in the film A Mighty Wind, with Christopher Guest, and toured with the film’s band.

The Jaybirds collectively have two Juno nominations, to go with John’s Juno and Canadian Folk Music award nominations for two of his solo albums.

John Reischman & The Jaybirds appearing in 2026