Bluegrass and Beyond
Songs:
Big Bear(John Arcand)
Sally Ann (traditional)
Ashokan Farewell (Jay Unger)
Devil's Dream (traditional)
Medley (traditional)
Memories of Shetland (Carol Dawson)
Bile 'em Cabbage Down (traditional)
Blackberry Blossom (traditional)
Tennessee Waltz (traditional)
Pictou Island Reel (Cec McEachern)
Goodbye Liza Jane (traditional)
Golden Memories April Verch)
Before the Sunrise (Calvin Volrath)
Flowers of Edinborough (traditional)
Wheel Hoss ( Bill Monroe)
Robyn and her father Jim Jesson, who plays guitar here, have enlisted some good help: John Reischman on mandolin, Craig Korth, from the Canadian band Jerusalem Ridge, on banjo, and Seattle's Rod Backman on bass. Having Reischman on board is an enormous plus. His delightful mandolin playing is both grounded and inventive. Craig Korth has a light, melodic touch on the banjo which is a good thing when you are playing fiddle tunes.

Robyn's selection of tunes is indicative of the many influences in her playing. Fiddle standards such as "Sally Anne," "Devil's Dream," and "Blackberry Blossom" rub shoulders with "Golden Memories" and "Ashokan Farewell," which are more recent compositions. The inclusion of "Wheel Hoss" shows that Robyn is not afraid to venture into the wilds of hardcore bluegrass.

If Robyn can stay on this "road less travelled," and not get diverted by the likes of the Backstreet Boys and the Spice Girls, bluegrass music will be enriched by her talent.
intonation, solid timing, and smooth bow strokes. This comes as no surprise since she started with Suzuki violin when she was three, and continues today with both classical violin and fiddle lessons. When she gains a few more improvisational skills and starts adding her own individual flair to her playing, Robyn will be a fiddle player to be reckoned with.
by Muphy Henry - Bluegrass Unlimited, Virginia, U.S.A.
One of the worries often heard from the bluegrass community is that there are not enough young people interested in the music. "Bluegrass And Beyond," the first full-length fiddle CD from 11-year-old Canadian fiddler Robyn Jesson, presents yet another ray of hope perhaps the younger generation will indeed carry on! These 15 competently-executed instrumentals demonstrate that Robyn has been well-schooled in precise