My Event

World renowned mandolin master John Reischman will perform at The Lopez Community Centre, Friday, March 15th, at 7:30pm, with a special release show of his new CD, “Walk Along John”. This long awaited release features original and traditional instrumentals performed by John and guests including Chris Thile, Bruce Molsky, Tony Trischka, Eli West, Trent Freeman, Patrick Metzger and Kenny Smith.

Known for his impeccable musicianship, exquisite taste and tone, John is among the most prolific composers of original mandolin instrumentals. A former member of the acclaimed Good Ol’ Persons, an original member of the legendary Tony Rice Unit, and band leader of the west coast’s Juno nominated John Reischman & the Jaybirds.

John will be performing with a new group for this CD release show. The group includes Eli West on guitar, Trent Freeman on fiddle and Patrick Metzger on bass, all of whom perform on “Walk Along John”.

Trent Freeman brings innovative and inspired groove, harmony and captivating melodies along in his arsenal of fiddle magic. The recipient of numerous awards he has a broad range of experience and is a well respected and sought after session musician. Trent’s Rock Paper Scissors album, an all original endeavor, won him the 2012 Canadian Folk Music award. During his time at Berklee College of Music, he toured with the Berklee World Strings, the Berklee Bluegrass All-Stars and with Berklee’s Transatlantic Collaboration. Trent has toured and recorded with many bands and artists such as the Wailin' Jennys, Jessie Farrell, The Griffins, Wyclef Jean, The Fretless and countless others.

A fixture of the Vancouver roots music scene, Bassist Patrick Metzger took an interest in music at the age of twelve when he started playing rock & roll and blues with his friends in Nelson BC. He studied formally with Ron Mulvey, through the Royal Conservatory of Music. Patrick went on to study jazz at Selkirk College and then at Capilano College. Patrick is at home playing a wide range of styles from jazz and rock to folk, bluegrass and old time. He performs regularly with a wide range of artists from the Western Swing of Petunia and the Vipers and jazz pianist Bruno Hubert to the haunting folk-noir group The Abramson Singers.

Eli West is one half of the Northwest duo Cahalen Morrison & Eli West. Based loosely out of Seattle, Eli is an unconventional acoustic musician, pursuing an angular and syncopated pattern language on guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, and clawhammer banjo. He finds his musical identity in collaboration, and has created music in the Northwest with John Reischman, Tony Furtado, and many others.