About the Band
A Tribute Rooted in Respect.
Claptionation is more than a tribute band – we're a group of passionate musicians who live and breathe the music of Eric Clapton.
From the raw power of Cream to the soul of his blues and acoustic work, we honor every era of Clapton's legendary career with authenticity, heart, and precision.
Our mission is simple: to keep the music alive and deliver a live experience that connects fans to the timeless songs and spirit of one of rock and blues' greatest artists.
Claptonation
A musical tribute to the music of Grammy Award-winning singer, guitarist, and songwriter, Eric Clapton, performing songs from throughout his storied career from 1965 to the present—an illustrious career—featuring rock guitar virtuoso Jack Juraska
Eric Patrick Clapton was born in the year 1945 in Ripley, a small village in the county of Surrey, England. He lived a unique childhood, believing his maternal grandmother and her second husband were actually his parents and his mother was an older sister. Eric’s father was a Canadian soldier who was drafted before he was born and returned to Canada after World War II.
Eric was interested in the guitar as an early teenager, and after a second try at the age of 15, it consumed most of his waking hours, including time normally spent in school. He was influenced by blues artists Muddy Waters, Freddie King, B.B. King, Albert King, Buddy Guy and Hubert Sumlin, but to quote Eric, “Robert Johnson, to me is the most important blues musician who ever lived.”
Eric played around Surrey with the likes of The Roosters and Casey Jones & The Engineers, but in October of 1963, he joined The Yardbirds and the rest is truly Rock & Roll history. He later performed with John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, Delaney and Bonnie and Friends, finally heading up Derek & The Dominos. After that, his solo career became legendary. Eric is still one of the most respected guitarist/singer/songwriters in the world. Could the infamous graffito “Clapton is God” be true?
CLAPTONATION is certainly a tribute to this artist’s greatness, but the primary objective is to historically showcase the music he created both in a solo format and while collaborating with others. CLAPTONATION uses no prerecorded music while performing. The aim is to deliver not only the structure, but the spontaneity and emotion that is the musical legacy of Eric Patrick Clapton.
The Band
Jack Juraska
Guitar/Vocals
Jack was born in Chicago, home of the electric blues. A member of a musical family, he always enjoyed playing the guitar and singing. Eric Clapton’s Beano album with John Mayall inspired Jack’s guitar playing style. After hearing Clapton and Cream’s Fresh Cream compilation, he knew immediately the direction his musical career would take. Jack has performed many genres of music, but just like Eric Clapton, the blues are his first love. That is why he accepts his role as the heart of CLAPTONATION with profound intensity.
Jack Juraska
Guitar/Vocals
Jack was born in Chicago, home of the electric blues. A member of a musical family, he always enjoyed playing the guitar and singing. Eric Clapton’s Beano album with John Mayall inspired Jack’s guitar playing style. After hearing Clapton and Cream’s Fresh Cream compilation, he knew immediately the direction his musical career would take. Jack has performed many genres of music, but just like Eric Clapton, the blues are his first love. That is why he accepts his role as the heart of CLAPTONATION with profound intensity.
Isaac Barden
Keyboard/Vocals
Pulling from his eclectic taste in music: new, old, conventional, experimental, high-class and lowbrow, Isaac strives to use his extensive musical knowledge and skill in his performance. The youthful Chicago based keyboard player and vocalist is looking forward to taking on the many musical nuances that CLAPTONATION presents and making his live performance the best it can possibly be.
Isaac Barden
Keyboard/Vocals
Pulling from his eclectic taste in music: new, old, conventional, experimental, high-class and lowbrow, Isaac strives to use his extensive musical knowledge and skill in his performance. The youthful Chicago based keyboard player and vocalist is looking forward to taking on the many musical nuances that CLAPTONATION presents and making his live performance the best it can possibly be.
Mike O’Krongly
Drums/Vocals
Mike has been playing drums since grade school and has toured and recorded for many years. CLAPTONATION is the epitome of a musical challenge for him. Emulating the likes of Ginger Baker and Steve Gadd has moved Mike to truly up his game to pay homage to two of his percussion paragons. That said, Mike has a style of his own that transmits both energy and emotion along with technical skills.
Mike O’Krongly
Drums/Vocals
Mike has been playing drums since grade school and has toured and recorded for many years. CLAPTONATION is the epitome of a musical challenge for him. Emulating the likes of Ginger Baker and Steve Gadd has moved Mike to truly up his game to pay homage to two of his percussion paragons. That said, Mike has a style of his own that transmits both energy and emotion along with technical skills.
Jeff Reitz
Bass/Vocals
Playing bass guitar along with providing vocals is Jeff Reitz. His musical tastes cover a broad spectrum with some unique influences. Jeff grew up in a musical family with everyone playing multiple musical instruments. He has been anchoring rhythm sections since 1985. Jeff’s approach to playing bass is both intense and subtle as dictated by the vast book of music that is CLAPTONATION.
Jeff Reitz
Bass/Vocals
Playing bass guitar along with providing vocals is Jeff Reitz. His musical tastes cover a broad spectrum with some unique influences. Jeff grew up in a musical family with everyone playing multiple musical instruments. He has been anchoring rhythm sections since 1985. Jeff’s approach to playing bass is both intense and subtle as dictated by the vast book of music that is CLAPTONATION.
Alex Bregger
Guitar/Vocals
Alex is a young musician with a varied background in music ranging from jazz to electronic music to rock and roll. Growing up, he acquired an appreciation for music of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s which eventually led him to learning how to play the guitar. From jazz ensembles while in school to garage bands later, Alex honed his guitar and vocal skills. Now, he is excited to return to classic rock and blues to present the legendary sounds of Eric Clapton via CLAPTONATION.
Alex Bregger
Guitar/Vocals
Alex is a young musician with a varied background in music ranging from jazz to electronic music to rock and roll. Growing up, he acquired an appreciation for music of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s which eventually led him to learning how to play the guitar. From jazz ensembles while in school to garage bands later, Alex honed his guitar and vocal skills. Now, he is excited to return to classic rock and blues to present the legendary sounds of Eric Clapton via CLAPTONATION.
