John Cowan

“At 22 years old, my first journey to this breathtaking place almost didn’t happen,” recalls Cowan, remembering how NGR members debated the logic of driving from Kentucky to Colorado for the then untested festival. But drive they did, and Cowan is still glad of it. “It’s really rather difficult to describe the feeling that creeps up your spine as you stand on the proudly named Fred Shellman stage preparing to perform at Telluride. I always take a deep breath, look out above the crowd, mumble a quick prayer of gratitude, and then hold on for dear life.”

His new album, 8,745 ft., clearly illustrates why Cowan is a perennial Telluride favorite. Recorded live, featuring Cowan and an assortment of the great players who have appeared with him there over the years, 8,745 ft. showcases Cowan’s amazing command of a range of styles and his effortless blending of rock and bluegrass, jazz and folk, blues and reggae.

From the opening notes of the album, Cowan’s soaring vocals take the lead through such high octane outings as “Mississippi Delta Time,” “High Above The Powerlines,” “Gotta Get Go” and “Ain’t Necessarily Love.” In between, he infuses classics like Merle Travis’s “Dark As A Dungeon,” Jesse Winchester’s funky “Let’s Make A Baby King,” and Dennis Linde’s “Singing To The Scarecrow” with extraordinary heart, soul and emotion.

Joining Cowan are some of the finest musicians on the planet, including Larry Atamanuik (drums), Jeff Coffin (saxophone), Fleck (banjo), Kenny Greenberg (electric guitar), Darrell Scott (mandolin and guitar), Scott Vestal (banjo), Wendy Waldman (percussion and vocals) and Reese Wynans (keyboards), among others.

Following NGR’s breakup in 1990, Cowan joined the Doobie Brothers and lent both his bass and vocal skills to the iconic band on tour. However, after two years, Cowan moved on to a solo career that allowed him more expressive freedom.

Ultimately, he has come full circle, returning to his newgrass roots upon forming The John Cowan Band. Though the line-up has changed from time to time, Cowan’s signature vocals remain at the forefront, always surrounded by only the finest acoustic musicians.

“Our music has evolved organically,” Cowan says. “It’s rooted in my New Grass days, but I’m also continually exploring and breaking new ground. What we did in New Grass Revival was unique…we weren’t really playing bluegrass, we were playing contemporary music on traditional instruments. Our vision was – and still is – to take acoustic music somewhere new.”