Artist Jorma Kaukonen

Guitarist Jorma Kaukonen launched his career with some enviable gigs in the '60s and early '70s—most notably as lead guitarist of Jefferson Airplane—then used his sought-after skills to get well beyond the genre borders of the times. Kaukonen's solo debut, 1974's Quah, ever so tenderly pushed aside most of the folk-rock out there with shimmering, fingerpicked acoustics that also flawlessly revealed his taste for jazz and country. A broad ear has carried him since, though 2009'sRiver Of Time emphasizes acoustic country blues. 

Updated 01/18/2010