"SAN JOSE GUITARIST JASON KEISER CASTS A WIDE MUSICAL NET, ENAMORED EQUALLY WITH BLUEGRASS AS WITH POST-BOP JAZZ. RATHER THAN DILUTING HIS ATTENTION, HIS VARIED INTERESTS SEEM TO HAVE SHARPENED HIS IMAGINATION, JUDGING BY HIS IMPRESSIVE NEW ALBUM “SHAW’S GROOVE.”
© ANDREW GILBERT
"Jason Keiser blew me away when I first heard him play. He possesses an incredible guitar technique that encompasses everything from lightning fast runs to sensitive and nuanced chordal work. He is also a creative and sophisticated composer. But beyond these formidable gifts, Jason plays with a passion and vivacity that is both palpable and contagious."
Mimi Fox
“Guitarist Jason Keiser is finding a unique and compelling voice both as player and composer. His eclectic tastes in music and capability to live in different genres are combining in a beautiful synergy when Jason plays and writes. I will be following his career with interest and I look forward to collaborating with Jason in the near future.”
John Stowell
"Once in awhile you encounter an artist who transcends mere technical wizardry and brings something extra to the table that can't be taught. Jason Keiser is just such an artist. Jason's playing is adventurous and exuberant, with a stylistic sense of whimsy anchored by a studied command of his instrument, enabling him to color outside the lines while bringing the listener full-circle, each solo a unique journey. An extremely accomplished young guitarist and composer whose reverence for, and expertise of Jazz and New Acoustic music will serve listeners well for a long time to come."
Mike Mullins
"San Jose–based Jason Keiser is yet another in the suddenly burgeoning field of young players who easily crosses boundaries from jazz and bluegrass. He studied at East Tennessee State University with guitarist Wyatt Rice. Jason’s primary instrument is the guitar, on which he composes and arranges material for the New Acoustic Collective, which he founded. The extensive bio on his website lists his credentials, awards, mentors, and appearances."
Dave Berry, Bluegrass Today
"Jason Keiser is one of the young musicians who is enthusiastic about carrying on with the music that David Grisman and Tony Rice started playing in the 1970s. Working with his mentor, Wyatt Rice, Jason has connected with a direct lineage back to the Dawg and spacegrass music that he fell in love with when he was in high school..."
Dan Miller, Editor, Bluegrass Unlimited
"Wyatt Rice fondly remembers his time working with Jason. He said, “Jason had been bitten by the spacegrass/Dawg music bug. He was a straight-A student in my class. We’d sit down and I’d show him alternate chords to tunes and I’d throw just about every spacegrass tune that I knew at him and the next week he’d come back and be able to play it. He took every semester from me and as time went by we became friends outside of class. He’d come over to the house and we recorded together. He was an excellent student and I’m proud of what he is doing. He is a real go-getter. He doesn’t give up on anything. He knew exactly what he wanted to do, and he has done it.”...
Wyatt Rice, Bluegrass Unlimited
“Jason is a very talented young up-and-coming guitar player. He is now developing a band called the New Acoustic Collective, which I think is a very nice name…I should have thought of it myself! I’m proud that he is going in the direction that he is going. He also recorded one of my tunes ‘Mugavero’ and did a great job on that.”
John Carlini, Bluegrass Unlimited
“I recently became acquainted with Jason Keiser through our mutual friend John Stowell. Jason impresses me as a serious young guitarist, composer and recording artist with a solid work ethic and a bright future... I will follow Jason’s career with much interest.”
Dmitri Matheny
"Keiser's "Wheeler's Waltz" is a heartfelt tribute to Kenny Wheeler featuring inspired, compassionate soloing by the leader and Stowell. The intricate and intuitive interplay between the musicians on the duets brings to mind the pivotal collaborations between Ralph Towner and John Abercrombie. The jaunty reading of "All the Things You Are" illustrates the leaders extraordinary command of his instrument showcasing elaborate chord melodies and dazzling solos. The recording ends with Keiser's reflective arrangement of Kenny Wheeler's "Gentle Piece," marking an appropriate conclusion to a recording of remarkable performances. Jason Keiser is a masterful guitarist whose melodic improvisations and eloquent chord melodies reveal a prodigious and promising talent. The Axe Axis is an exceptional musical sojourn and is highly recommended for all listeners of contemporary improvised music."
© James Scott, Minor 7th Acoustic Guitar Webzine
© ANDREW GILBERT
"Jason Keiser blew me away when I first heard him play. He possesses an incredible guitar technique that encompasses everything from lightning fast runs to sensitive and nuanced chordal work. He is also a creative and sophisticated composer. But beyond these formidable gifts, Jason plays with a passion and vivacity that is both palpable and contagious."
Mimi Fox
“Guitarist Jason Keiser is finding a unique and compelling voice both as player and composer. His eclectic tastes in music and capability to live in different genres are combining in a beautiful synergy when Jason plays and writes. I will be following his career with interest and I look forward to collaborating with Jason in the near future.”
John Stowell
"Once in awhile you encounter an artist who transcends mere technical wizardry and brings something extra to the table that can't be taught. Jason Keiser is just such an artist. Jason's playing is adventurous and exuberant, with a stylistic sense of whimsy anchored by a studied command of his instrument, enabling him to color outside the lines while bringing the listener full-circle, each solo a unique journey. An extremely accomplished young guitarist and composer whose reverence for, and expertise of Jazz and New Acoustic music will serve listeners well for a long time to come."
Mike Mullins
"San Jose–based Jason Keiser is yet another in the suddenly burgeoning field of young players who easily crosses boundaries from jazz and bluegrass. He studied at East Tennessee State University with guitarist Wyatt Rice. Jason’s primary instrument is the guitar, on which he composes and arranges material for the New Acoustic Collective, which he founded. The extensive bio on his website lists his credentials, awards, mentors, and appearances."
Dave Berry, Bluegrass Today
"Jason Keiser is one of the young musicians who is enthusiastic about carrying on with the music that David Grisman and Tony Rice started playing in the 1970s. Working with his mentor, Wyatt Rice, Jason has connected with a direct lineage back to the Dawg and spacegrass music that he fell in love with when he was in high school..."
Dan Miller, Editor, Bluegrass Unlimited
"Wyatt Rice fondly remembers his time working with Jason. He said, “Jason had been bitten by the spacegrass/Dawg music bug. He was a straight-A student in my class. We’d sit down and I’d show him alternate chords to tunes and I’d throw just about every spacegrass tune that I knew at him and the next week he’d come back and be able to play it. He took every semester from me and as time went by we became friends outside of class. He’d come over to the house and we recorded together. He was an excellent student and I’m proud of what he is doing. He is a real go-getter. He doesn’t give up on anything. He knew exactly what he wanted to do, and he has done it.”...
Wyatt Rice, Bluegrass Unlimited
“Jason is a very talented young up-and-coming guitar player. He is now developing a band called the New Acoustic Collective, which I think is a very nice name…I should have thought of it myself! I’m proud that he is going in the direction that he is going. He also recorded one of my tunes ‘Mugavero’ and did a great job on that.”
John Carlini, Bluegrass Unlimited
“I recently became acquainted with Jason Keiser through our mutual friend John Stowell. Jason impresses me as a serious young guitarist, composer and recording artist with a solid work ethic and a bright future... I will follow Jason’s career with much interest.”
Dmitri Matheny
"Keiser's "Wheeler's Waltz" is a heartfelt tribute to Kenny Wheeler featuring inspired, compassionate soloing by the leader and Stowell. The intricate and intuitive interplay between the musicians on the duets brings to mind the pivotal collaborations between Ralph Towner and John Abercrombie. The jaunty reading of "All the Things You Are" illustrates the leaders extraordinary command of his instrument showcasing elaborate chord melodies and dazzling solos. The recording ends with Keiser's reflective arrangement of Kenny Wheeler's "Gentle Piece," marking an appropriate conclusion to a recording of remarkable performances. Jason Keiser is a masterful guitarist whose melodic improvisations and eloquent chord melodies reveal a prodigious and promising talent. The Axe Axis is an exceptional musical sojourn and is highly recommended for all listeners of contemporary improvised music."
© James Scott, Minor 7th Acoustic Guitar Webzine
“Though known for harmonically adventurous forays into jazz and spirited, Tony Rice-inspired “Spacegrass” music, with “The Old Rugged Cross,” Jason Keiser delivers a warmly introspective reading of a gospel classic. The stripped-down context of solo acoustic guitar sets a high bar, and with this earnest rendition, Jason demonstrates that he is up to the task. It was a pleasure to hear.”
Grant Gordy
“In this beautiful rendition of a classic Americana piece, Jason creates a touching and evocative mood…recommended!”
Mimi Fox
“Wonderful! This cut of “The Old Rugged Cross” captures the reverent hymn-like feel that I would imagine the writer, George Bennard, would have intended. Jason adds his own tasteful elements to it without compromising its original integrity. Beautiful guitar tone as well!"
Brandon Green
Grant Gordy
“In this beautiful rendition of a classic Americana piece, Jason creates a touching and evocative mood…recommended!”
Mimi Fox
“Wonderful! This cut of “The Old Rugged Cross” captures the reverent hymn-like feel that I would imagine the writer, George Bennard, would have intended. Jason adds his own tasteful elements to it without compromising its original integrity. Beautiful guitar tone as well!"
Brandon Green