Jason Burke has become a central figure in Charlottesville’s singer-songwriter folk music scene. In the four years since he came to the area, the man who has been a musician since he was 13 says he has experienced a “renaissance” of sorts.
Burke credits this growth to the multitude of talented, dedicated musicians who surround him in Charlottesville, many of whom he met through local open mics. These fellow songwriters have encouraged Burke to “focus on writing tighter, more cohesive songs.” He said the scene has “become like a family.”
To showcase the depth of Charlottesville’s music scene, Burke organized the first of his Six Pack shows early last year at Rapunzel’s in Lovingston, a coffee shop and music venue that hosts an Open Mic night and Open Jam session each month. The first five shows in the series had entirely unique lineups of local performers.
“That’s 30 different really talented musicians,” Burke said.
And Charlottesville-area music fans are taking notice: the most recent Six Pack show, hosted at Charlottesville’s The Southern Cafe in August, saw a completely full house.
But not all local music performances garner quite so much attention.
At the Threepenny Cafe last Thursday night, Burke performed with local bassist-guitarist-singer Frank Bechter to a crowd of primarily disinterested restaurant patrons. But Burke said the lack of an attentive audience had no effect on the performers.
“Every time you play it’s different, it’s an opportunity to work on your craft,” Burke said.
True to these words, the pair worked through an extensive and diverse set. Covers performances reflected Burke’s biggest influences, primarily American and British rock & roll artists and songwriters of the 1960s and 70s — hitting on The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Van Morrison and Jim Croce.
Burke also took folk approaches to Eric Clapton and Dr. John covers.
Each track was accented and energized by Bechter’s outstanding bass playing.
The refined lyrics and rock-oriented chord structures of Burke’s original songs, four of which are featured on his recent EP “Just a County Down,” also evidence his influences. During the course of the show, Burke additionally showcased some 12-string guitar playing, bluesy harmonica solos, and tight harmonies with Bechter. Burke’s guitar playing is distinctly rhythmic, in a style reminiscent of bluegrass music in which acoustic guitar often serves as the primary rhythm instrument.
Burke can be seen playing alongside other local songwriters at Threepenny Cafe’s “Pickin’ on the Patio” event. The first Sunday of every month he also organizes an event for songwriters called “Corks and Chords” at Mountfair Vineyards.
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