Ian Anderson Rocked the House: Former Jethro Tull Frontman Still Rocking

As time passes, many artists lose their touch. That is certainly not the case with the Jethro Tull singer/flutist Ian Anderson. The musician whose musical style and talents created a unique genre of music, which combines rock music with the flute, back in the early 1970’s, can still rock the house. When Anderson appeared onstage at the majestic State Theater in New Brunswick on Saturday, October 21st, the crowd burst into applause. The musician had to give his crowd a moment to quiet down before he could begin his first song. 

Performing for an eclectic audience with members that ranged in age from preteens to senior citizens, Anderson burst right into song. While he played many songs made popular by the band Jethro Tull more than thirty years ago, he also covered quite a bit of musical ground in one evening. He was accompanied by his band which consists of the usual drums, whose player is his son James Anderson, guitar played by Kit Morgan, bass played by David Goodier, and also a keyboard and an accordion played by John O’Hara. His first classic song was “Living in the Past” which he started by playing the harmonica, and proceeded with his signature flute playing and timeless voice. 

Joining Anderson and his band onstage was a student orchestra from the New England Conservatory. This orchestra consists of all female musicians and only one male bass clarinet player. The orchestra’s instruments are the violin, cello, flute, and the oboe. His show also featured a teacher from Virginia who expertly plays the violin and rivals Anderson with her stage presence. The repoire between these two musicians is a pleasure to experience. When the beautiful Ann Marie Calhoun appeared onstage, she was presented with “an apple for the teacher” from Anderson.