Ojai-Fi - December 2024

We had another wonderful night of sharing music that was released in 2024. Have a listen here:

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Look forward to archival, unreleased, in-progress work and stories from the road and beyond.

THREE HOUR conversation with Jaymee Carpenter on "Love Is The Author" Podcast

Mikael Jorgensen is the keyboardist for Wilco and director of a forthcoming documentary on jazz legend Bob James. This is his first public conversation about the emotional components of his life story, as well as the arc of his entire music career including working with producer Steve Albini and the last 22 years in Wilco.

OJAI-FI #21 October 2024

We had another wonderful evening of sharing music and stories this week. If you want to participate in the fun feel free to join my mailing list for updates and tickets.

Restless: The Bob James Story

My late father Joe Jorgensen was Bob James’ recording engineer from 1975-1990. They had a prolific and meaningful creative partnership for 15 years recording some of the greatest musicians at the best studios in New York City.

Joe would bring me to recording sessions in NYC at Mediasound, Powerstation, Soundmixers and CBS Studios when I was around 8 years old.

This is where I discovered my love of music and music production which has had a lifelong impact.

Mikael, left, at Mediasound Studios ca. 1979

Bob James & Mikael Jorgensen, October 2022, Catalina Jazz Club, Hollywood CA

In October or 2022, Bob was playing at The Catalina Club in Hollywood, CA and on a lark I decided to go and see him after 30+ years.

On my drive home after the show I was struck that there wasn’t already book or documentary on Bob.

In a conversation with my friend and drummer Mario Calire I mentioned this glaring omission and he connected me to producer Greg Richling from the LA based production company Pfonetic. He had just finished “Immediate Family” the documentary follow-up to “The Wrecking Crew” directed by Denny Tedesco.

During our initial conversation, it didn’t take long for him to convince me that I should direct this documentary. I agreed, and here we are.

I feel fortunate and grateful to be in the position to make this film about a man whose music and presence have meant a lot to not only me and my family but the entire world.

In addition to Bob’s prolific 50+ solo records, and dozens of projects as an arranger/sideman, he’s the 2nd most sampled artist in hip-hop (James Brown being #1).

I’m looking forward to telling the story of this kid from Marshall, MO whose music mixed genres and crossed cultural boundaries in a way that could not be anticipated.

 

Bob James & Mikael Jorgensen

Photo: Janette Beckman

 

Looking forward to sharing updates as I move through this journey.


Follow @bobjamesdoc on Instagram

https://www.bobjamesdoc.com/

OJAI-FI #3 - OCT 2022

We had yet another stimulating evening listening to music as a group. There was some really great stuff in this playlist that was new to me including Russian electronic music, The Beths, Death and a deep and vexing cut from Thin Lizzy.

Join the OJAI-FI Discord group for all the playlists, discussions & more.

Listen here:

OJAI-FI #2 - SEP 2022

We had another absolutely enjoyable evening listening to music last night at The Ojai Underground Exchange. Here’s the playlist with a few songs that weren’t on streaming services linked below…

OJAI-FI #1 - JUL 2022

Last night I hosted the first open-to-the-public “OJAI-FI” at The Ojai Underground Exchange and the results were magical.

It’s quite simple really, we all just sit around and share our favorite music with each other with a laptop connected to the internet and a turntable.

Listening to recorded music as a group is a profoundly different experience than listening by yourself. It comes highly recommended.

Here is the resulting playlist of songs in the order that they were selected by those who came and had the courage to share their current favorite song.

More of these are in the works.

Scott Hirsch "Dreamer" Live In-Studio performance

My Ojai pal, songwriter, producer and 70s-phile Scott Hirsch asked me to play Wurlitzer on this tune from his forthcoming record.

Listen to "Dreamer" here: https://music.scotthirschsound.com/Dr

Follow Scott: http://instagram.com/scotthirschmusic http://twitter.com/echomagic https://www.facebook.com/blueridersongs

Directed by Brendan Willing James

Cinematography by Brendan Willing James and Marc Alt

The band: Scott Hirsch Kelly McFarling Daniel Wright Mikael Jorgensen

Recorded live and Mixed at Echo Magic An Echo Magic Production