The Jon Rubin Group traces its start to 2008 when a fingerpicking folk/blues guitarist met a young, award-winning classical violist improvising fiddle lines in a bluegrass jam group in Monterey; and the following year connected with a Grammy-credentialed classical/jazz violinist in SF. Since spring 2009 the group, with line-up variations as a guitar/violin duo or trio including bass, have appeared regularly from the Central Coast to San Francisco, playing an original acoustic fusion sound combining folk, rock, blues, celtic, bluegrass, jazz and classical influences. 

 Jon Rubin was inspired to play acoustic guitar by Jorma Kaukonen, a disciple of the Rev. Gary Davis school of fingerpicking country gospel blues. These rhythmic underpinnings are applied to original arrangements of traditional songs in the Americana/roots, Celtic and British folk/blues idioms. Jon has studied and attended workshops with legendary fingerstyle players Martin Simpson, Woody Mann, Duck Baker, Rick Ruskin, Laurence Juber and Bob Brozman. (for more on Jon, see the interview on Media page). 

  Laurel Thomsen began playing the violin at age nine and immediately took flight. She trained classically at the University of Montana-Missoula, and in Italy. She plays with bands in Celtic, pop-rock, folk-rock, jazz, cabaret, country, and latin genres. Laurel and Jon are currently collaborating for performances on the Central Coast. http://www.laurelthomsen.com

 Shannon Miller has been singing on the Monterey Peninsula and throughout the Central Coast for the past 10 years. Although her main focus has been in traditional Celtic music she also loves to sing jazz, folk, country, pop and bluegrass.  Shannon and Jon are currently collaborating as a guitar/vocal duo and trio with violin. http://www.shannonmillermusic.com 

Cal Keaoola is a native of Hawaii, a fiddling violinist well versed in all styles from folk to blues to jazz to latin. He is featured on three Hawaiian Grammy Award winning albums of the early 2000’s; and has performed with legendary rock band, It’s a Beautiful Day;  Bill Keith of Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass band; and Scotland’s Alasdair Fraser among others. Cal appears as guest soloist with The Jon Rubin Group at San Francisco area performances. 

  Deanna Lynn (2009-2010 lineup; ongoing guest) attends Thornton School of Music at USC. In 2006 and 2008 she performed in the Carmel Bach Festival's Youth Artist Concert, and in 2007 she won Youth Music Monterey's concerto competition. (for more on Deanna, see the article on Media page).