The Jazz Mandolin Project

The Jazz Mandolin Project is led by mandolinist Jamie Masefield with a rotating cast of other musicians. Although not really a "jazz" band they are influenced by a variety of styles. Formed in 1993, the Burlington based, improvisational ensemble's self-titled first album was released which included Gabe Jarrett on drums and Stacey Starkweather on bass in 1996 . For their next album Masefield then assembled a new Jazz Mandolin Project lineup featuring drummer Jon Fishman (best known for his work in jam band icon Phish) and upright bassist Chris Dahlgren, recording the LP Tour de Flux; In 1999 Blue Note records released their 3rd album, Xenoblast. In 2003 they released a heavily groove, drum and base influenced album called Jungle Tango and in 2005 Masefield returned to a more acoustic sound with The Deep Forbidden Lake which features 10 of his favorite cover tunes by artists such as Radiohead, Tom Waits, Lenord Cohen, Django Reinhart and others. On that album he was accompanied by pianist Gil Goldstein and bassist Greg Cohen.

http://www.jazzmandolinproject.com