The Fretboard Journal hit its five year anniversary in November of 2010. To celebrate, we invited readers from around the country to join us here in Seattle for a few nights of partying and music. Our first night’s celebration was held at the Triple Door, where Bill Frisell, Danny Barnes and the Canote Bros. performed two amazing sets to sold-out audiences. On November 4, we moved down the street to the Rendezvous’ JewelBox Theater. There, Jon Rauhouse from Neko Case’s band played alongside Tommy Connell, Rachel Flotard (Visqueen) and whoever else was brave enough to take the stage. Local luthiers and collectors brought out some of their gems, too. Our final night, November 5, featured acclaimed luthier and guitarist Wayne Henderson performing at the Frye Art Museum with Orville Johnson. The theater was packed, the acoustics were great and the picking was only matched by Henderson’s storytelling.
We had FJ readers come from as far away as New York and Los Angeles to be part of the fun, as well as many of our contributors. During the daylight hours, readers toured around Seattle or threw their own impromptu gatherings … to the Experience Music Project, local guitar stores or just to hang out. It was a magical three days and we can’t wait to do it again. Video footage to come…
Moose on the loose! The view from behind Bill Frisell’s Anderson amplifier at The Triple Door.
A big pile of rare instruments at one of the lunchtime FJ meetups.
Orville Johnson and Wayne Henderson performing together. The Frye’s acoustics were so good, we barely needed the microphones.
FJ editor Marc Greilsamer samples a converted Gibson Roy Smeck during one of the informal daytime gatherings.
Wayne Henderson swung by the party and was reunited with Sonny Osborne’s old Gibson RB-12 banjo. Henderson owned this banjo briefly in the ’70s and had no idea it was coming to the show.
The dressing room of the theater ended up being the rare instrument annex. Collectors, luthiers and players hung out back there, swapping tales and sharing instruments.
Tommy Connell, Orville Johnson and Jon Rauhouse performed a few tunes together. Johnson and Rauhouse sounded great together, even though they just met.
FJ publisher Jason Verlinde introduces the second night of the festivities, at the Rendezvous’ JewelBox Theater, November 4, 2010.
Drummer Brandon Harper, Danny Barnes (playing his “Barnjo” and Bill Frisell at the Triple Door, November 3, 2010.
Bill Frisell’s Beautiful Dreamers headlined the night.
Henderson brought his latest guitar, #517. This guitar was a 12-fret 000 with Brazilian rosewood back and sides. Two days old and it already sounded great!
