music

Week 1 of Grateful Dead Head Ensemble – Summer 2025

Get on the bus this summer as you, your intrepid teacher Jason McInnes, and your fellow Deadheads gather for this eight-week adult education music class dedicated to exploring and performing the music of the Grateful Dead. The class includes hands-on instruction, group rehearsals, and opportunities to jam in a relaxed, collaborative setting. Whether you’re a guitarist, bassist, vocalist, keyboardist, drummer, or other instrumentalist, you’ll gain new insight into the Dead’s music through playing it among a generous, encouraging community.

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Robyn Hitchcock in at the South Broadway Cultural Center

We got to hear Robyn Hitchcock at the South Broadway Cultural Center last week. He’s such a fantastic performer. He played two sets of music, all requests, with his wife Emma adding some harmony for the last few songs. Then, he played the “encore” in the lobby. It was incredibly beautiful when he started A Day in the Life by the Beatles and everyone gently joined in for a sing along.

Guitar

Listen to Guitar Crew Play Faded Love

Our end-of-session recording of a classic by Bob Wills.

Screenshot of the Banjo After Dark Page, featuring Jason's video

Goals and Education

Guest Post on Banjo After Dark

How cool is this? Jonas asked me to make a guest post for Banjo After Dark!

Banjo

Little Birdie with Jason and Frank Hamilton

In the previous post I wrote a about recording recording Little Birdie with puja and maria. That got me thinking about Frank Hamilton who taught me that song when I went to visit him in 2010.

Banjo

Listen to Little Birdie with maria, puja and Jason

This video is our first take of the song. It isn’t the one that made the album, but I love this version just the same.

Chicago

No school today? Then, let’s go visit Ella Jenkins!

Eventually, something inside me clicked and I thought, “Oh. The kids don’t have school. We should go visit Ella!”

Album Cover with a close up of a pecan tree and an insert photo of Maria and Puja

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New Music from mx puja singh and Maria McCullough

I’m so excited to share with you some new music from my dear one, Maria McCullough, and a great friend and wonderful musician, mx puja singh.

Details of the workshop along with a photo of a guitar neck and strings, a photo of Jason teaching, and a photo of two hands working on restringing

Learn to Restring Your Guitar Workshop – May 10, 2025

Expand your knowledge of guitar strings and instrument care Receive the tools you’ll need to complete a guitar restringing Engage in the process of guitar maintenance within a supportive environment Learn more about this free workshop and register here.