“Jeffrey’s Reverie” is a high-spirited sextet of international multi-instrumentalist acoustic musicians. They gathered to perform the music from the critically acclaimed album “The Meeting of the Waters”, a work filled with fiddle tunes and songs of Jeff Wasserman – the American ex-pat songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and ambassador for the wide spectrum of American folk music. Jeff’s Rikskonsertene/DKS programs, “Appalachia” and “This Land is Your Land”, toured Norway’s schools for well over 20 years.
Wasserman’s awarded winning lyrics (Edvardpris 2016) for dozens of renowned artists are well known, but his own songs have become “an all-too-well-kept secret” – Jonas Fjeld. His songs are imbued with the hundreds of fiddle tunes and ballads imprinted in his young mind under the wing of the folklorist Frank Warner who gave him access to his rich collection from the Northeast regions of America.
With “The Meeting of the Waters”, Wasserman tied his songwriting together the influences of American, British Isles and his newfound home in Norway with guests such as Paul Brady, Andy Irvine, Jonas Fjeld, Esbjørn Hazelius, and Knut Reiersrud. Of the album, T Bone Burnett said this:
“One man’s journey to the center of American music, and his trip out to create his own … Music of La Raza Cosmica”.
Jeffrey’s Reverie has after 3 years of touring become a consummate live band. Their performances are perhaps best summed up by this review they received:
“The audience was rewarded with dazzling musicality, individual performances from everyone on stage, poignant lyrics, and even a quiz. In short, one of the best concerts I have seen in many many years. I highly recommend that you go and experience “Jeffrey’s Reverie” at whatever venue or festival they may show up at. I also truly hope that concert arrangers take advantage of the opportunity and book this gem of a band now that the country is slowly but surely opening up again. For this level of musicality, joy of playing and not least – repertoire, you’d have to look far and wide to find here in Norway!” – Dust of Daylight
“Jeffrey’s Reverie is a ‘force of nature’ … Highly recommended!” – Bærum Kulturhus
“Incredible response from the audience … a great concert … Jeffrey’s Reverie delivered, and then some” – Kulturhuset Gleng
Jeffrey’s Reverie is:
Jeff Wasserman – (USA) – vocals, guitar, mandolin, cittern, mandocello, fiddle,
(more info HERE)
Jeff Davis – (USA) fiddle, banjo, fretless Frank Proffitt banjo, mandocello, mandolin, guitar, bones, jaw’s harp, vocals
Jeff Wasserman’s folk music mentor from the days of his youth, Davis is now one of America’s most respected collectors and interpreters of traditional music. Which is handmade by folk musicians. He has been touring throughout the United States and participated in festivals in Canada, England, Ireland, The Netherlands and Norway. He recently released a solo album, entitled “Some Fabulous Yonder”.
Anne Marit Bergheim (N) – Guitar, tenor Guitar, Mandolin, mandocello, accordion, piano, harmonica, vocals
Anne Marit is a multi-instrumentalist and extremely colorful performer. She is a member of the internationally acclaimed band “Katzenjammer”. She also plays with Marius Graff in the TeleGram group and is a very active ingredient in the new Americana / Bluegrass wave in Norway.
Gideon Andersson (S) – Acoustic Bass, Mandolin, Spoons, Djembe, vocals
Gideon is a recognized multi-instrumentalist with a long and varied career. He is a member of the Celtic music trio “Quilty” with, among other things, Esbjørn Hazelius and he also played / toured with Sofia Karlsson and made joint projects with classical tuba virtuoso Øystein Baadsvik. Besides life as a freelance musician, he runs a private music school in Oslo, choirs and composes his own music.
Marius Graff (N) – banjo, guitar, resonator guitar, mandocello,
Marius is one of Norway’s most solid and versatile musicians. He has collaborated with top shelf Norwegian artists such as – Lillebjørn Nilsen, Marit Larsen, Jan Eggum, Stein Torleif Bjella. He is a member of the band TeleGram and the Erlend Viken Trio.
Olav Christer Rossebø (N) – fiddle, viola, mandolin, mandola
“Laffen” – which is his nickname – is known from bands like Lady Hardanger, Frøkedal, Geitungen, Andreas Bjørkås Trio, Earlybird Stringband and Bergen Mandolin Band. He has worked as a freelance folk musician since 2008 and has fifteen releases with his own band behind him. He’s had several extended stays in the United States, gaining an in-depth knowledge of American folk music.