Happy Birthday John Medeski: With The Word On ‘Conan’ In 2001

Keyboardist John Medeski celebrates his 54th birthday today. One-third of the renowned jazz trio Medeski Martin & Wood, the talented performer has continuously evolved and expanded his musical palette by participating in a variety of projects throughout his distinguished career.

Medeski counts John Scofield, John Zorn, Club d’Elf, Trey Anastasio, Phil Lesh and many others among his frequent collaborators. Medeski also helms John Medeski’s Mad Skillet, made up of guitarist Will Bernard, drummer Terence Higgins and sousaphone player Kirk Joseph, and last April, The Word — the supergroup featuring Medeski — reunited for a performance in New Orleans.

The Word was initially formed by Medeski, pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph, North Mississippi Allstars drummer Cody Dickinson and guitarist Luther Dickinson and (now former) NMA bassist Chris Chew. They came together first in 1998 when MMW brought NMA on tour and Medeski and Luther Dickinson bonded through a common appreciation of sacred steel guitar, often listening to Arhoolie Records sacred steel compilations. Randolph would soon open for NMA at his first non-church performance, which was also attended by Medeski. A recording session was quickly planned and the supergroup’s self-titled debut came out in 2001.

It took until 2015 for The Word to regroup to record their sophomore, and most recent album, Soul Food. Back in 2001, The Word appeared on Late Night With Conan O’Brien and performed “Joyful Sounds,” which they recorded for their debut album. Watch Medeski and The Word in action below: