JACKSON, Wyo. — For some local music connoisseurs, the comment of “not enough variety” often comes into conversation when perusing the concert calendar. Friday and Saturday at The Virg will offer one such opportunity. L.A.-based Rocco DeLuca has carved out an interesting niche as an artist and go-to session player as a multi-instrumentalist, primarily manning pedal steel and resonator guitar. As a soul-folk and blues artist, DeLuca has supported Taj Mahal, John Mayer and John Lee Hooker, and played with Johnny Cash. His 2009 album, Mercy, was produced by Daniel Lanois (U2, Bob Dylan). Most recently, he contributed to the score for Killers of the Flower Moon.
DeLuca acknowledged the collaboration with an Instagram post, “Deeply honored to contribute music with Robbie Robertson for Martin Scorsese’s film, Killers Of The Flower Moon…two years ago, I was fortunate to work with Robbie [Robertson] at the Village Recorder for this film. Robbie is greatly missed. His music expands and deepens with every year. RIP.”
Born and bred in Southern Cali, DeLuca largely grew up on the R&B touring circuit, the son of a single father who was one of Bo Diddley’s backing guitarists. Exposed to the blues both on the tour bus and in family living room jam sessions, DeLuca picked up the guitar at a young age, and eventually settled on the resonator guitar as his primary tool. His band Rocco DeLuca and The Burden were active in the mid-aughts and appeared on several TV shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Late Show with David Letterman, and Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Full Throttle event with Rocco DeLuca & The Good Medicine Trio, 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Virginian Saloon. Doors 8 p.m. DJ Moody Saison opens. $20. VirginianSaloon.com.
