State of Jefferson

January 09, 2009

By Laurie Heuston
Mail Tribune
Good music is the impetus behind the State of Jefferson, a Rogue Valley-based band known for its diverse style. The group plays a mix of jazz, bluegrass, funk, reggae and world music with a mess of instruments — horns, keys, percussion and just about anything with a string on it.

"It really is just a fun, musical bunch that really love each other," says Mikey Stevens, who plays guitar and trumpet for State of Jefferson. "We're all multi-instrumentalists, and a lot of the band's music has just evolved into what it is. The music we create when we get together is spontaneous. There's little rehearsal time."Stevens says he likes not knowing what's going to happen next when the band plays together. He went to work as a trumpet player right out of high school, touring with big bands.

"I played with everything from marching bands to polka and Dixieland bands, anywhere that I could get a job," Stevens says. "I've had to play the notes that were put in front of me all night long, and I don't really like it anymore. I want to play my own notes."

The trumpet is Stevens' first love, he says. He learned guitar after moving to the Rogue Valley about 15 years ago. He met Duke Davis, State of Jefferson's saxophone player, when Davis was 11, and the two began performing together at the Applegate Lodge, the Davis family's restaurant.

"We weren't very good back then, but we've had a lot of years to make it good," Stevens says.

Davis and the other core members of the band — guitarist Joe Ginet, bassist Ryan Redding and keyboard player Erik Vestnys — began playing music together in one form or another while attending high schools in the Rogue Valley. Davis, Ginet and Redding attended Hidden Valley High School, Vestnys Rogue River High School.

Drummer Michael Saint John (Cast of Clowns, AnnieMac, Rogue Suspects) will join State of Jefferson for the show at Stillwater.

"Spending time playing music with these youngsters has broadened all of our horizons," Stevens says. "They're in their mid-20s, I'm 57. They're heavily influenced by the music that's going on today. So I've been pulled in new directions, probably reggae more than anything."

Davis says that he and the rest of the group simply like to spread positive energy through music, while having fun and enjoying the ride.

"The Grateful Dead was an inspiring group," Davis says. "Though we don't play many of their songs, their idea was to change the world with music. Bob Marley, the Beatles, those artists are big influences."

State of Jefferson has never played a set list, Davis says. The group also adapts its performances to the size of the venue, taking its music from small, acoustic shows to electrified, upbeat ones on big stages.

"We like to hit the young and the old, the wild and the tame," Davis says. "There'll be some new stuff at the Stillwater show."

State of Jefferson took a break from playing local gigs to perform in markets such as Bend, Lake Tahoe, Nev., Northern California, and Beyond.

"We stopped hitting the road last fall and began working on our next CD," Davis says. "It'll be released this summer."

State of Jefferson's last two CDs — a 2004 compilation of live shows and studio recordings and a live show recorded in 2006 at KTUH-FM at the University of Hawaii — are out of print.

There are plans to put together music festivals at Rogue Valley community centers and parks. The group also wants to see if the new CD will get the band into bigger markets.


Davis and members of State of Jefferson also present live jams at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at the Applegate Lodge. To receive e-mails about the band and the Applegate Lodge, write to wegosax@hotmail.com.

See stateofjefferson.org for song downloads and State of Jefferson gear
- Medford Mail Tribune

January 09, 2009

By Laurie Heuston
Mail Tribune
Good music is the impetus behind the State of Jefferson, a Rogue Valley-based band known for its diverse style. The group plays a mix of jazz, bluegrass, funk, reggae and world music with a mess of instruments — horns, keys, percussion and just about anything with a string on it.

"It really is just a fun, musical bunch that really love each other," says Mikey Stevens, who plays guitar and trumpet for State of Jefferson. "We're all multi-instrumentalists, and a lot of the band's music has just evolved into what it is. The music we create when we get together is spontaneous. There's little rehearsal time."Stevens says he likes not knowing what's going to happen next when the band plays together. He went to work as a trumpet player right out of high school, touring with big bands.

"I played with everything from marching bands to polka and Dixieland bands, anywhere that I could get a job," Stevens says. "I've had to play the notes that were put in front of me all night long, and I don't really like it anymore. I want to play my own notes."

The trumpet is Stevens' first love, he says. He learned guitar after moving to the Rogue Valley about 15 years ago. He met Duke Davis, State of Jefferson's saxophone player, when Davis was 11, and the two began performing together at the Applegate Lodge, the Davis family's restaurant.

"We weren't very good back then, but we've had a lot of years to make it good," Stevens says.

Davis and the other core members of the band — guitarist Joe Ginet, bassist Ryan Redding and keyboard player Erik Vestnys — began playing music together in one form or another while attending high schools in the Rogue Valley. Davis, Ginet and Redding attended Hidden Valley High School, Vestnys Rogue River High School.

Drummer Michael Saint John (Cast of Clowns, AnnieMac, Rogue Suspects) will join State of Jefferson for the show at Stillwater.

"Spending time playing music with these youngsters has broadened all of our horizons," Stevens says. "They're in their mid-20s, I'm 57. They're heavily influenced by the music that's going on today. So I've been pulled in new directions, probably reggae more than anything."

Davis says that he and the rest of the group simply like to spread positive energy through music, while having fun and enjoying the ride.

"The Grateful Dead was an inspiring group," Davis says. "Though we don't play many of their songs, their idea was to change the world with music. Bob Marley, the Beatles, those artists are big influences."

State of Jefferson has never played a set list, Davis says. The group also adapts its performances to the size of the venue, taking its music from small, acoustic shows to electrified, upbeat ones on big stages.

"We like to hit the young and the old, the wild and the tame," Davis says. "There'll be some new stuff at the Stillwater show."

State of Jefferson took a break from playing local gigs to perform in markets such as Bend, Lake Tahoe, Nev., Northern California, and Beyond.

"We stopped hitting the road last fall and began working on our next CD," Davis says. "It'll be released this summer."

State of Jefferson's last two CDs — a 2004 compilation of live shows and studio recordings and a live show recorded in 2006 at KTUH-FM at the University of Hawaii — are out of print.

There are plans to put together music festivals at Rogue Valley community centers and parks. The group also wants to see if the new CD will get the band into bigger markets.


Davis and members of State of Jefferson also present live jams at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at the Applegate Lodge. To receive e-mails about the band and the Applegate Lodge, write to wegosax@hotmail.com.

See stateofjefferson.org for song downloads and State of Jefferson gear
- Medford Mail Tribune

Hempstalk 2008 - September 6-7, 2008 - Portland, Oregon/ Keith Stroup-Founder of NORML | John Trudell | Folk Uke/ The Human Revolution | Jack Herer | The State of Jefferson | Herbivores/ Los Marijuanos | Mystical Soup | Tim Pate | Paul Stanford/ Madeline Martinez | Russ Belville | Mikki Norris | Chris Conrad | 7th Seal/ Will Flowers | The Lost Wages Band | Sister Sativa | Sophe Lux/ Badfish Band | Franco & the Stingers | Pass Margo | Marquee | Funkubus/ Ngaio | Sinners Club | Equaleyes | Chief Greenbud | The Mustard Man


There were about 10,000 in attendance over the two-day Hempstalk event in 2007 who came to listen and dance to some of the best bands in the Northwest, headlined by Los Marijuanos.

Hempstalk 2008 is expected to exceed this number by the 1000's. This years event will be held at the Vera Katz Water Front Promenade.

The State of Jefferson
is a versatile group of multi-instrumentalists that came together through a mutual need to heal the world with booty-shakin’. Over the past six years a cast of sonic sorcerers has kept the SOJ militia alive and well. Yes the lineup has been varied. At the heart of this "right now" orchestra are corps membeers Ryan "Beavs" Redding(Bass, Uke), Joey Ginet(Strings, Harps,vox), Mikey Stevens(Trumpet, Guitar), Easy Vestnys (Keys, Vocals) and Duke Davis(Reeds, Percussion). With these soldiers at the helm, you never know who will be onboard as we chant down babylon with our positive minds riding to ZION on the grooves that make your body move. Standing Room Only, or a ten piece band playin to a five piece audience, WE WILL REPRESENT! Listen to the singles from SOJListen to the singles from this new album What Then Babylon http://www.myspace.com/thestateofjefferson

- Food and Beverage Underground, Portland, Oregon

Hempstalk 2008 - September 6-7, 2008 - Portland, Oregon/ Keith Stroup-Founder of NORML | John Trudell | Folk Uke/ The Human Revolution | Jack Herer | The State of Jefferson | Herbivores/ Los Marijuanos | Mystical Soup | Tim Pate | Paul Stanford/ Madeline Martinez | Russ Belville | Mikki Norris | Chris Conrad | 7th Seal/ Will Flowers | The Lost Wages Band | Sister Sativa | Sophe Lux/ Badfish Band | Franco & the Stingers | Pass Margo | Marquee | Funkubus/ Ngaio | Sinners Club | Equaleyes | Chief Greenbud | The Mustard Man


There were about 10,000 in attendance over the two-day Hempstalk event in 2007 who came to listen and dance to some of the best bands in the Northwest, headlined by Los Marijuanos.

Hempstalk 2008 is expected to exceed this number by the 1000's. This years event will be held at the Vera Katz Water Front Promenade.

The State of Jefferson
is a versatile group of multi-instrumentalists that came together through a mutual need to heal the world with booty-shakin’. Over the past six years a cast of sonic sorcerers has kept the SOJ militia alive and well. Yes the lineup has been varied. At the heart of this "right now" orchestra are corps membeers Ryan "Beavs" Redding(Bass, Uke), Joey Ginet(Strings, Harps,vox), Mikey Stevens(Trumpet, Guitar), Easy Vestnys (Keys, Vocals) and Duke Davis(Reeds, Percussion). With these soldiers at the helm, you never know who will be onboard as we chant down babylon with our positive minds riding to ZION on the grooves that make your body move. Standing Room Only, or a ten piece band playin to a five piece audience, WE WILL REPRESENT! Listen to the singles from SOJListen to the singles from this new album What Then Babylon http://www.myspace.com/thestateofjefferson

- Food and Beverage Underground, Portland, Oregon

Jefferson State Music FestivalWhen:Aug 2009 (annual)Where:Riverside ParkCost:Free
Opening Hours:Fri 5pm-10pm; Sat 12pm-10pm
The Jefferson State Music Festival is not just a two-day party featuring folk, bluegrass and reggae music, but also supports the local community. Instead of an entrance fee, attendees are encouraged to bring cans of food to donate to the Josephine County Food Bank. The family-oriented event take place in Riverside Park, Grants Pass.
- Frommers

Jefferson State Music FestivalWhen:Aug 2009 (annual)Where:Riverside ParkCost:Free
Opening Hours:Fri 5pm-10pm; Sat 12pm-10pm
The Jefferson State Music Festival is not just a two-day party featuring folk, bluegrass and reggae music, but also supports the local community. Instead of an entrance fee, attendees are encouraged to bring cans of food to donate to the Josephine County Food Bank. The family-oriented event take place in Riverside Park, Grants Pass.
- Frommers