Grammy Nominee Jorma Kaukonen Returning to SOPAC, 3/9

Jorma Kaukonen- one of the greatest icons of classic rock- makes a return appearance at the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) Wednesday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. A member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a Grammy Award-nominee, Kaukonen is a founding member of two legendary bands, Jefferson Airplane and the still-touring Hot Tuna. Kaukonen's repertoire goes far beyond his involvement creating Psychedelic Rock; he is a music legend and one of the finest singer-songwriters in music. Tickets are $48-$68, and can be purchased online at SOPACnow.org, or at the box office at (973) 313-2787.

In a career that spans a half-century, Jorma Kaukonen has been one of the most highly respected interpreters of American roots music, blues, and Americana, and at the forefront of popular rock-and-roll. He has also carved out a singular solo career, beginning in 1974 with his debut album Quah. His 2002 album Blue Country Heart was widely acclaimed by critics as one of the definitive examples of American "Depression Era " music and features Kaukonen backed by an all-star Nashville bluegrass band. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Jefferson Airplane was a pioneer of counterculture-era psychedelic rock. The group was the first band from the San Francisco scene to achieve international mainstream success. They performed at the three most famous American rock festivals of the 1960s-Monterey (1967), Woodstock (1969) and Altamont (1969)-as well as headlining the first Isle of Wight Festival (1968).Their 1967 record Surrealistic Pillow is regarded as one of the key recordings of the "Summer of Love". Two hits from that album, "Somebody to Love" and "White Rabbit", are listed in Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".

Jorma Kaukonen will perform at SOPAC on Wednesday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $48-$68, and can be purchased online at SOPACnow.org, or at the box office at (973) 313-2787.