J2B2 is an all-star bluegrass group featuring four legendary musicians: John Jorgenson on acoustic guitar, mandolin and vocals; Herb Pedersen on banjo, acoustic guitar and vocals; Mark Fain on bass; and Patrick Sauber on acoustic guitar and vocals. The four combine forces to form a union of impeccable musicianship, incomparable songwriting, incredible harmony vocals, and seasoned showmanship.
Jorgenson and Pedersen, along with Chris Hillman, founded the country rock group Desert Rose Band. In 1990, Jorgenson went on to form the Hellecasters and toured with Elton John’s band for six years. In 2008, Jorgenson won a Grammy for Best Country Instrumental with Brad Paisley, and was nominated for Best Bluegrass Album with Earl Scruggs.
Herb Pederson was a member of two legendary bluegrass bands: The Dillards and Old and In the Way. He has worked with such musical legends a Chris Hillman, Earl Scruggs, Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, Tony Rice, Dan Fogelberg, Stephen Stills, Linda Ronstadt, Kris Kristofferson, Jackson Browne, and John Denver.
Mark Fain toured and recorded with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for 13 years. He has toured and recorded with The Dixie Chicks, Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt, Dwight Yoakam, Allison Krauss, and Dolly Parton.
Patrick Sauber is a multi-instrumentalist who is well known in the worlds of bluegrass and old time music. Equally adept on guitar, banjo, and mandolin, he has toured with Peter Rowan and Laurie Lewis.
J2B2’s debut album, From the Crow’s Nest, was recently recorded in Sheryl Crow’s home barn studio in Nashville. The group has toured extensively over the past three years, including tours of Norway and the UK. They made their Grand Ole Opry debut in October 2013 and have returned several times since.
The International Bluegrass Music Association gives the group high marks, noting “There was warmth, and storytelling, and lots of laughter as this fresh band of legends made their debut…but with their expertise combined, you would think they had been playing in this configuration for years.”