Mandolin Mars and Mercury's Fiddle

TLDR: The Jacob Jolliff Band's performance at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley showcased the energies of the seven traditional planets. Each instrument and element of the concert embodied these planetary archetypes, creating a cosmic harmony that enriched the musical experience.

Tonight, as I reflect on the Jacob Jolliff Band's performance at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, I am struck by the planetary interplay that unfolded on stage. It wasn't just a Bluegrass concert; it was an embodiment of the energies of the seven traditional planets, each element of the music reflecting their unique qualities.

Jacob Jolliff, the mandolin virtuoso, was the focal point around which all else revolved. One of the country's premier contemporary mandolinists, Jolliff's presence was dominant and assertive, much like Mars, with a crisp, bright sound that commanded attention. A graduate of Berklee School of Music on a full scholarship, Jolliff has played with notable figures like Darol Anger, Sam …