Article Contributed by Scott Kepnes
Published on 2026-07-31
Jorma Kaukonen | Cabot Theater | July 22nd, 2026 - photos by Scott Kepnes
An appreciative audience of longtime fans made the trek to Beverly, Massachusetts, on Wednesday, July 22. Legendary Hot Tuna guitarist and vocalist Jorma Kaukonen, bassist Jack Casady, and harmonica player Ross Garren transformed The Cabot into a spacious living room filled with old friends. The historic 850-seat venue, with its excellent acoustics and architectural details, was a perfect setting for the evening’s listening and visual experience.
Fans were in their seats and ready as the band took the stage. Jack settled into the center chair, with Jorma to his left and Ross to his right, the three facing one another.
The trio then delivered an intimate acoustic set filled with wonderful musicianship. The 16-song performance featured selections from the Hot Tuna catalog, along with interpretations of traditional blues, gospel, and folk classics.
From the opening number, “True Religion,” Jorma’s vocals, storytelling, masterful fingerpicking, and comfortable stage presence created a calming atmosphere, inviting the audience into every song.
The band continued with Hot Tuna’s “Great Divide: Revisited,” Leroy Carr’s “How Long Blues,” Blind Blake’s “That’ll Never Happen No More,” Hot Tuna’s “I See the Light,” and Jelly Roll Morton’s “Winin’ Boy Blues,” with Ross playing chromatic harmonica. “Day to Day Out the Window Blues” and the Jorma Kaukonen song “Living in the Moment” followed.
Jack’s bass playing guided the music with precision and care throughout the set. He shifted seamlessly from deep, bluesy grooves to driving rock rhythms and, at times, sounded like a jazzy upright bass, particularly during the next tune, Richard M. Jones’ “Trouble in Mind.”
Jorma’s voice was a pleasure to hear:
“Troubled in mind, I’m blue
I won’t be blue always
Well, the sun’s gonna shine in my back door someday…”
Ross played traditional 10-hole diatonic, chromatic, and bass harmonicas. His playing provided both texture and space for Jorma and Jack to explore. At times, he held a soup can over the harmonica to add a reverb effect. His expressive playing ranged from ambient, ethereal tones to deep, growling blues.
The band continued with “Been So Long,” with Ross switching to bass harmonica. Hot Tuna’s “Letter to the North Star” and “Highway Song” came next.
“Death Don’t Have No Mercy,” written by Reverend Gary Davis, was a highlight of the evening and showcased how much the three musicians enjoyed working together. Ross’ harmonica provided a cosmic canvas for Jorma and Jack to weave guitar and bass around one another.
Clearly skilled at listening to each other and allowing the music to evolve through improvisation, the trio made the song feel both timeless and refreshingly new. And yes, you could hear a pin drop.
Jorma then comfortably addressed the crowd and his bandmates.
“We should do a blues,” he suggested, before adding, “We’ve kinda done a blues…”
They then launched into Walter Davis’ “Come Back, Baby.”
The set wrapped up with “Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning,” associated with Blind Willie Johnson and the traditional gospel repertoire, with the audience singing along.
Following a standing ovation, Jorma, Jack, and Ross returned for an encore of “Serpent of Dreams.”
It was a treat to spend the evening listening to these remarkable musicians. Fans could be heard reminiscing about seeing Jorma and Jack decades earlier. Personally, I first saw Jorma play a solo acoustic show at My Father’s Place in Roslyn, New York, in 1982, when I was 19.
Those unfamiliar with Ross Garren may still have heard his music. Ross transcribed and recorded the harmonica parts for the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown and performed with Timothée Chalamet on Saturday Night Live. He can also be heard on the Academy Award-winning score for the film Sinners and recorded with Shania Twain for her recent album Little Miss Twain.
Leaving the venue, the feeling was clear: Hot F’n Tuna is still as cool as ever.
See you next time.
Hot Tuna Acoustic Setlist
The Cabot — July 22, 2026
Setlist courtesy of Setlist.fm
True Religion
Great Divide: Revisited
How Long Blues — Leroy Carr cover
That’ll Never Happen No More — Blind Blake cover
I See the Light
Winin’ Boy Blues — Jelly Roll Morton cover
Day to Day Out the Window Blues
Living in the Moment — Jorma Kaukonen song
Trouble in Mind — Richard M. Jones cover
Been So Long — Jorma Kaukonen song
Letter to the North Star
Highway Song
Death Don’t Have No Mercy — Reverend Gary Davis cover
Come Back, Baby — Walter Davis cover
Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning — Blind Willie Johnson cover
Encore
Serpent of Dreams
