At the Woodstock Film Festival, which opens October 10 in Bearsville, New York, an independent film about jug music and those most known for performing it, directed by Todd Kwait, will make its premiere. Chasin' Gus' Ghost will be shown on October 13 at 10:00 pm at the Bearsville Theater.

Early in the film, we learn that Kwait's interest in jug music began when he heard his favorite artist, John Sebastian of the Lovin' Spoonful, credited Gus Cannon and jug music as early inspiration on many of the songs he wrote, particularly "Younger Girl." That kernel of information sent him on a journey that began with reading books and listening to early recordings, and then took him on a physical road trip, tracing the music back to its roots. Chasin' Gus' Ghost is the documentation of that journey.

Jug music, for the unaware, is played with homemade instruments. Obviously, a jug is used and blown into. Playing a jug is somewhat similar to playing a brass instrument because pitch can be adjusted by lip tension, though the sound is very different. Other popular jug band instruments include the washtub bass, washboard, spoons, stovepipe, and comb and tissue paper, which produces a sound similar to a kazoo. Often the musicians traveled with medicine man or vaudeville type shows, and the earliest recordings of the music seemed to come from Louisville, Kentucky and Memphis, Tennessee, two stops made on the journey Kwait takes us on.

Before watching this screener, I had the perception the style of music was a precursor to early country and bluegrass. I suppose it was because of the rural communities it originated from, and I'm sure there is a connection there as well, but as the musicians interviewed explained their influences and the evolution, the effects on blues and jazz became blatantly obvious. John Sebastian, David Grisman, Charlie Musselwhite, Erik Darling, and Maria Muldaur were just some of the musicians interviewed. Taj Mahal lends his voice to quote Gus Cannon.

On this road trip, the music is traced back starting with John Sebastian and Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead through folk inspired rock, folk, blues, and jazz to its very roots. We learn that although many of the songs were familiar to and loved by many, a good number of the songwriters and early players died penniless. When they are able to track down Gus Cannon's grave it is very plainly marked. The search for the grave of Noah Lewis, who is known for revolutionizing harmonica playing, ends in failure.