Photo Credit: Vernon Webb

On Saturday, November 29, Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall in New York came alive with songs and stories from Jorma Kaukonen. The event marked the East Coast celebration of the Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna guitarist’s 85th birthday. It included support from a roster of talented artists, including Justin Guip, Ross Garren, Larry Campbell, Teresa Williams, Steve Earle, and GE Smith. Initially, Kaukonen’s Hot Tuna bandmate, Jack Casady, was on the bill, but was unable to participate in the event. 

The night began with an introduction from Kaukonen’s wife, Vanessa, who announced Casady’s absence, before turning it over to her partner and the subsequent arrival of instrumental masterpiece, “Embryonic Journey.” While the concert started with a solo performance from the lead, he was soon joined by Guip and Garren for an ensuing take on Kaukonen’s co-write with Tom Hobson, “Genesis.” The aforementioned instrumentalist remained and accepted accompaniment from Campbell and his violin on “A Walk With Friends.” 

The traditional “Hesitation Blues,” served as the next song, before the group returned to the Hot Tuna songbook with “Bar Room Crystal Ball,” which also included help from Williams. For their ensuing selection, the ensemble chose Blind Willie Johnson’s “Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning,” then continued the genre revival with aid from Steve Earle, on the latter’s “Hometown Blues.” A take on Townes Van Zandt’s “Brand New Companion” came before the time-honored “Uncle Sam Blues,” and Blind Blake’s “That’ll Never Happen No More.”

The final piece of the main frame resulted in deliveries of Reverend Gary Davis’ supreme favorite, “Death Don’t Have No Mercy,” and the Too Hot to Handle track, “Ice Age.” During the evening’s encore, all performers took part in covering Lead Belly’s “Goodnight, Irene,” followed by audience participation during a celebratory “Happy Birthday to You,” directed at Kaukonen. Rather than cap the night there, he played a solo rendition of “True Religion,” followed by a cover of Frank Goodman’s “Where Have My Old Friends Gone.” 

Next, Kaukonen will take his birthday run to The Masonic in San Francisco on Friday, December 5, and will be joined by a staggering lineup of participating artists, including John Hurlbut, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Sam Grisman, Bruce Cockburn, and more.

Tickets remain on sale. 

Jorma Kaukonen

Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall – New York 

November 29, 2025 

Set: Embryonic Journey, Genesis, A Walk With Friends, Hesitation Blues, Bar Room Crystal Ball, Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning, Hometown Blues, Brand New Companion, Uncle Sam Blues, That’ll Never Happen No More, Death Don’t Have No Mercy, Ice Age

Enc.: Goodnight, Irene, Happy Birthday to You, True Religion, Where Have My Old Friends Gone

Notes: guests included Justin Guip (drums), Ross Garren (harmonica), Larry Campbell (violin, guitar, mandolin), Teresa Williams (vocals), Steve Earle (guitar, vocals), and GE Smith (guitar). Jack Casady could not attend the show. 

Setlist and notes via setlist.FM.