Reviews

by Cliff Berkowitz, June 2004

Cuckoo's Nest has now played live several times on KHUM radio. Every time I'm amazed. It's hard to believe the caliber of musicianship this group possesses. It's as if they channel the spirit of Django Reinhardt, truly encapsulating that "Hot Club," "Gypsy Jazz" sound. They are a joy to watch and a treat to listen to.

Cliff Berkowitz is the Vice President of Programming for KHUM Radio without the Rules and KSLG Radio Humboldt

by Brooks Otis, June 2004:

I recently heard the excellent group, Cuckoo's Nest, at the Red Radish in Blue Lake. Cuckoo's Nest is acoustic and all strings - two violins, two guitars and bass - and includes seasoned pros from distinct Humboldt County musical niches. Rob Diggins, group founder and leader, is an accomplished and versatile violinist who teaches locally and tours nationally and internationally with early (renaissance and baroque) music ensembles. Rob and his partner, Jolianne von Einem, who also plays violin and is part of Cuckoo's Nest, have both recorded with early music groups on the Harmonia Mundi CD label and continue to tour with early music ensembles. Most of the guitar solos in the group are taken by Dave Wilson, a well known local classical and jazz guitarist and teacher, who can be heard playing regularly in various locations from Babetta's restaurant in Eureka to Sunday mornings at Wildberries in Arcata. Jim Adams, a local forester and hot flatpick bluegrass player, plays mainly rhythm guitar although, on occasion he provides a hot solo. Tami Pallingston plays superb bass in the group. She is definitely the hardest working bass player in the county, playing with a variety of groups at night and teaching by day.

On the two occasions I have heard Cuckoo's Nest they were playing tunes usually associated with the Gypsy guitar player, Django Reinhardt, and the French violinist Stephane Grapelli, who both made enduring musical history (and recordings) as members of the group, The Hot Club of France, in the 1930's. In both the US and Europe there currently exists a revival of what is termed 'gypsy' jazz, where small festivals are attracting groups dedicated to reviving the music of the Hot Club of France. Dave Wilson and Rob mentioned that, increasingly, they are also performing tunes from other periods of jazz including swing, Latin and bebop.

The band's performance at the Red Radish was polished and varied. Rob and David took most of the solos and Jolianne performed a beautiful version of the slower tune 'Souvenirs.' Rob has done some very nice arrangements featuring the two violins. The textures of the violins, the guitar rhythm and acoustic bass provided a very tight, cohesive feel. As I mentioned above, the groups is now doing tunes from other periods and styles of jazz and I really look forward to hearing this material. (Ed note: Don't miss their Charlie Parker "Bird's Birthday Bash" on August 29th at the Westhaven Center for the Arts!)

I recently attended a large jazz festival that included a couple of gypsy jazz groups, and I have to say that after listening to lots of horns and percussion, it was delightful to experience the contrasting tonality of acoustic violin, guitar and bass. And that is one of the musical strengths of Cuckoo's Nest (I give much credit to Rob Diggins for this). In addition to the musical skills of these seasoned musicians, the well chosen tunes, the arrangements, and the group cohesion, they are performing on delightful sounding acoustic instruments.

Do go and hear Cuckoo's Nest. They play the Humboldt Bay area several times a month. You'll get to hear some music you may not have heard before, and you'll have the pleasure of listening to some of the finest musicians playing interesting music.

Brooks is a board member at the Humboldt Folklife Society, co-owner of Wildwood Music, Arcata, and a member of various Humboldt area bands including the Horn Band, Swing Shift and Falling Rocks.