“All cultures have their own music and as the world gets smaller music has become the ambassador for many cultures that have not been technically as advanced as others. By the integration of the different instruments and rhythms in our music we all become closer as people.”

Boots Jaffee: The Cowboy of Universe 

Northern Colorado icon, musician and painter, Leonard “Boots” Jaffee has worn many hats throughout his life. He did the special light shows with fireballs for the Grateful Dead. He was O.J. Simpsons bodyguard. And Boots inherited Janis Joplins dog after she passed. Boots having done pyrotechnics for Grateful Dead in the late 60's to late mid-70's. Aside from being a huge link to the Grateful Dead, Boots is probably one of the most versatile, accomplished, knowledgeable and just plain nice people. One thing you may not know about Boots is that he called the late great folk singer and civil rights activist, Odetta "Mom" and she called him "Son". According to an article about Boots in the May 11, 2011 issue of The Greeley Tribune, this incredible relationship began when "he was 15 and attending a workshop at Shaker Village in New Lebanon, N.Y., when he first met Odetta.

(Boots Jaffee / Photo by Kate Gwizdak Dardine)

He was teamed with Odetta, and to get out of jail, she sang “Wayfaring Stranger,” wowing both the small crowd and the teenage boy. To this day, that song is the one that “gets” Boots every time. It was about a year later that the pair’s relationship was permanently cemented. He was with her in Greenwich Village one afternoon, and they walked into one of Odetta’s favorite watering holes. She was going to leave him at the bar for a few moments, and he worried out loud that, as just a 16-year-old, he’d be asked to leave. Boots Jaffee lives in the Poudre Canyon, Colorado. He is a local legend, having ties to The Grateful Dead, Merle Saunders among others too numerous to list. Boots sits in on blues harp regularly with the band of Cowboys Dead.

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the music and rock counterculture influenced your views of the world? What moment changed your life the most?

I have noticed that in countries where music is openly welcomed, there is a comfortable standard of living .... far better than the countries that ban or control the music (and entertainment scene).

John Coltrane said "My music is the spiritual expression of what I am...". How do you understand the spirit, music, and the meaning of life?

Everything has vibration, the Universe is constantly vibrating and if a person can take those vibrations by making music and change the spirit of a person or group then you have become closer to the Universe.

Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you? What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Over the years I have met many famous creators of music, of all types of music... two pieces of advice to me stand out.. 'make your instrument talk' and the other was 'listen'.

“As always, music is cultural and reflects, what will, is, or has happed in the society it is a part of. American Roots music is a record of who we are and thanks to the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame at the Boch Center in Boston the history has been preserved. The role to music and musician in today's society is to keep our souls from drying up... it keeps us alive, vibrant and knowledgeable and caring.” (Boots Jaffee / Photo by Michael Emanuele-Backstage Flash)

How do you think that you have grown as an artist since you first started making music? What has remained the same about your music-making process? 

As a person I have grown over the years as a player but with time my body has changed and has forced me to change my playing technique,but as for what I play I still try to add layers to the music I am playing along with.

What do you learn about yourself from the blues and what does the blues mean to you?

You can't play the blues without having empathy... to me the blues is a connection to my inner self that I can share with people freely.

Are there any specific memories or highlights with Grateful Dead that you would like to tell us about?!

My eight years with the Grateful Dead were magical and as you would imagine there are a million stories I could tell but my favorite is when Jerry was asked if he wanted a lightshow to travel with the band, he said" Why do we need a lightshow, we have Boots and he is three dimensional.

Why do you think that Odetta’s music legacy continues to generate such a devoted following?

Odetta was more than a singer, she was a storyteller, a teacher, and an educator and she exposed the roots of a song so clearly that the listener is able to absorb and learn the music and the message.

”There used to be more talent that came from training and experience, a soul if you will... autotune and pedal effects and the like have lowered the bar. My biggest fear is that the music industry will go to AI to create its tunes and cut out the musicians.” (Photo: Boots Jaffee with the late great Odetta and Jimmi)

Life is more than just music, is there any other field that has influence on your life and music?

Music has been a part of my life as a player for 60 years but longer if you consider there was music (opera and the classics) all the time in my home. Art is my other passion and that was important in our home, and to this day I draw, paint and sculpt as often as the mood strikes me. Every year since 1984, I produce my own holiday cards that I send to friends that cherish and collect them.

How has your experience with the “golden era” of Rock/Blues/Folk influenced the way you compose and perform today?

What is called the Golden Era of Rock/Blues/Folk has really never ended it is an entity that is anchored in our culture... there will no doubt be growth but Gold doesn't tarnish.

What keeps a musician passionate over the years? How does your hometown that affect your music?

The only thing that keeps a musician passionate is knowing the audience likes what you do. I am no a musician, I'm a harmonica player and here in my hometown the appreciation and love I feel from folks when I play makes me feel like a musician.

Why is it important to we preserve and spread the American Roots Music?What is the role of music/musician in today’s society?

As always, music is cultural and reflects, what will, is, or has happed in the society it is a part of. American Roots music is a record of who we are and thanks to the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame at the Boch Center in Boston the history has been preserved. The role to music and musician in today's society is to keep our souls from drying up... it keeps us alive, vibrant and knowledgeable and caring.

“Music has been a part of my life as a player for 60 years but longer if you consider there was music (opera and the classics) all the time in my home. Art is my other passion and that was important in our home, and to this day I draw, paint and sculpt as often as the mood strikes me. Every year since 1984 I produce my own holiday cards that I send to friends that cherish and collect them.” (Boots Jaffee / Photo by Michael Emanuele-Backstage Flash)

Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

I played a gig once with a dear old friend... during one tune I did a long solo and after I finished I thought it was a horrible solo... after the set I said to the leader "I'm sorry, that solo really sucked" he turned to me and said "NO! It was great! very Funky" ...I then realized I'm my own worst critic.

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

There used to be more talent that came from training and experience, a soul if you will... autotune and pedal effects and the like have lowered the bar. My biggest fear is that the music industry will go to AI to create its tunes and cut out the musicians.

What were the reasons that made the 60s to be the center of Psychedelic Folk/Rock researches and experiments?

As baby boomers in the 60's we were open to anything. The world was changing quickly and we wanted to be a part of the change.

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications?  How do you want it to affect people? How do you want the music to affect people?

All cultures have their own music and as the world gets smaller music has become the ambassador for many cultures that have not been technically as advanced as others. By the integration of the different instruments and rhythms in our music we all become closer as people. 

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

In my 60 years in music I think the most important thing is to be happy with what you do as long as there has been a least one other person touched positively by what you have done.

(Boots Jaffee / Photo by Conrad Meyer)