Root River Jam at kj's hideaway
Root River Jam is an acoustic “Americana Roots” group based in Rochester, MN. They perform the original music of David Wilson blending nuances of folk, roots, rock, Celtic, blues, and classical.
As the son of a veterinarian growing up on a farm in Preston, MN, Dave helped his father on many farms throughout the region. His mother taught Dave and his siblings to play piano and sing melody and harmony. He performed at church, school, and family events and started writing music at an early age. His music combines life’s experience of love, learning, and longing with genre defying music that has a familiar sound and embrace. Helping to manifest the vision into song is: Upright bass player Blake Bonde a Rochester native and graduate of the University of MN in musical performance. Blake adds a broad musical vocabulary from furious pizzicato to lush arco sounds. The Bonde family makes many contributions to Rochester’s music culture and scene: Charlotte Matis is a well-established musician, teacher, luthier, and music store owner in the Twin Cities area. Her fiddling and vocal skills add an exciting depth to our music. Charlotte is connected to Rochester through family and has an aunt who teaches at Kellogg Middle school: Drummer/Vocalist Miles Johnston has a dynamic style and broad musical background bringing rhythmic finesse to their fusion styles. Miles lives just south of the infamous Oak Center General Store near Lake City, MN. He has played with many musicians throughout the region.
Root River Jam had their first gig in Lanesboro, MN in 2012. This continues to be a favorite area for the band to play. The venue they first played at appears in the song “Dirty Martini” about a bar upstairs. Listeners instantly connect with expressive melodies, improv, and interaction, recalling the ” Jams” of the past and renewing the dreams of the future!
Root River Jam released their debut album in March 2017. After a wildly successful release party in Rochester, MN they have been traveling to new destinations promoting their music. 2017 proved to be their breakout year and one of transition towards new roads in their musical journey.