Jerry Douglas - who is considered one of the world’s most renowned Dobro or resonator guitar players - performed at Celtic Connections Festival Glasgow 2011.
For this concert he had two highly accomplished musicians with him - Viktor Krauss and Omar Hakim. Douglas performed mainly bluegrass and American style instrumental tunes, and also some original material by movie score composer and bassist Viktor Krauss (brother of Allison Krauss) plus one of the most acclaimed drummers Omar Hakim - and alongside Douglas 's brilliant and expressive guitar they provided a creative and dynamic rhythm section.
I first heard Jerry Douglas on YouTube, playing with Union Station who were backing beautiful bluegrass singer Allison Krauss. His playing was of a high quality, accomplished and melodic. Later I saw Douglas at the collaborations of the TransAtlantic sessions at Celtic 2008 - where he is the musical director for the Americans, alongside Ali Bain with the Scottish musicians on the left of the stage. In 2009 I attended Douglas's Old Fruitmarket gig where he had a full band with him - and we were treated to a fun night of charged upbeat tunes. While Douglas normally plays a brown Dobro resonator guitar, he also played a white dobro electric guitar which had a higher register and resonance. Well worth hearing Douglas play.
Jerry Douglas is from Warren Ohio is an American record producer and resonator guitar player. He has recorded with many famous artists as diverse as Ray Charles and Paul Simon. Along with Aly Bain, he serves as Music Director of the popular BBC Television series, "Transatlantic Sessions". Douglas has been a key member of Alison Kraus and Union Station, touring extensively and playing on a series of platinum-selling albums. Douglas has received twelve Grammy Awards and has won the Country Music Association's 'Musician of the Year' award three times, in 2002, 2005 and 2007.
Viktor Krauss is a bassist and movie score composer. He is the brother of bluegrass musician Alison Krauss. He has played on some of his sister's albums, together with those of her Dobro player, Jerry Douglas. Widely acclaimed for his versatility, technological prowess and groove, Omar Hakim is one of the most successful drummers and session men of the past thirty-five years. He has collaborated with artists ranging from Miles Davis to Madonna, and has left his imprint on hundreds recordings including several under his own name.