Jazzgrass was put together in 1999 by Barnaby Finch to honor the newer and more progressive side of Bluegrass music. He was originally smitten with the music of a short-lived all-star band, put together at the Telluride Festival, called "Strength In Numbers". Jazzgrass originally had Sean and Sara Watkins, soon to be very famous with Nickel Creek, and Kevin Hennessy on bass. Nickel Creek burst onto the scene, and that was the end of that lineup. In 2011, Barnaby wanted to perform that music again, and recruited some talented locals to play. There's Don Reed on mandolin, dobro, and guitar. He's a famous Idyllwild virtuoso who's performed with J.J. Cale, Dick Dale, Ian Tyson, and Jackie de Shannon. Then there's Sam Zorn on fiddle, a very talented young man attending San Diego State. Sam is an amazing player with a bright future ahead. On bass is David Hughes, one of the busiest musicians in Los Angeles, who works with David Benoit and Christopher Cross. Jeff Olson is on drums, who also plays with David Benoit, among many others. Rounding out the band is veteran ace Sean Longstreet, who has a long list of credits. Sean is an accomplished educator, and has been involved with the Diamond Valley Arts Council in Hemet. Pianist Barnaby Finch is the musical director, with credits ranging from George Benson, Lee Ritenour, Tom Scott, Lionel Richie, and many others. If you don't like the music, it's his fault. Jazzgrass will be performing music written by Jerry Douglas, Bela Fleck, Pat Metheny, Dave Grusin, Barnaby Finch, Natalie McMaster, and many more….

Barnaby Finch's bio:
Barnaby Finch, a keyboardist, was, for many years, a touring member of Lee Ritenour's band.  He has toured with Lee on and off from 1982 to 2008. Prior stints include Ronnie Laws, Alphonse Mouzon, Boz Scaggs, Lionel Richie, and David Foster.  His piano was featured on the Lionel Richie/Diana Ross hit "Endless Love". From 1982 to 1989 Barnaby toured with George Benson, and from 1987 to 1989 he was conductor and musical director.  He has recorded with Lee Ritenour, George Benson, Pat Kelley, Lee Oscar, Kazu Matsui, Marlena Shaw, Ronnie Laws, Pressure, Lionel Richie, Earl Klugh, Anthony Marinelli, Tom Scott, Peter Sprague, Hubert Laws, Patti Austin, and Kenny Rogers, among others. He was a member of the Tom Scott Band from 1989 until 1992, performing in the house bands for the "Pat Sajak Show" and the "Carol Burnett Show" and recording the album "Them Changes" with Tom.  Barnaby also does jingles, productions and sundry studio work, including his own albums for Japan ("Digital Madness" on Alfa Moon Records).  He performed on the Alex North score for the film "Under The Volcano". In 1991 he produced "L.A. Unit #2" for Japanese release.  In 1997, he co-produced the renowned finger-style guitarist Jeff Linsky's album "Passport To The Heart" for Concord Records, and played on the critically acclaimed Lee Ritenour album "Alive in L.A.". He has performed with Eric Marienthal, and wrote music for a television documentary on American photography entitled "Exposures". In 2004 he recorded the "Overtime" DVD and CD with Lee Ritenour. He resides in Idyllwild, California, where he plays jazz on Tuesdays at Ferro with Paul Carman, and Miles Davis alumnus Marshall Hawkins. Barnaby is currently a member of flautist Tim Weisberg’s band.