Jerry Garcia Band

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Lore & Background

Although the name "Jerry Garcia Band" formally applies from late January 1976, its roots trace back to 1970, when Garcia and John Kahn began playing together in local clubs. The specific quartet with Merl Saunders did not form until 1971, and the 1970 gigs featured different lineups. The lineup evolved constantly, though bassist John Kahn remained the sole constant member besides Garcia. Melvin Seals served as keyboardist from 1981 onward, marking the next longest tenure. The band's repertoire was heavily curated by Garcia, who brought covers from his extensive record collection to the table, often influenced by the specific musicians playing at the time. Staples included Holland–Dozier–Holland's "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)," widely considered their signature song, alongside Jimmy Cliff's reggae tracks and Van Morrison ballads. The group also performed original Garcia-Robert Hunter songs like "Cats Under the Stars," which was also performed by the Grateful Dead.

In Their Own Story

The band's musical direction was defined by a deliberate slowing of tempos, a choice that frustrated some drummers. Longtime drummer David Kemper recalled his initial struggle: "It bothered me from the very beginning. I'd say, 'You know we need some uptempo material, it's just putting me to sleep.'" Ultimately, he accepted the vision dictated by Garcia and Kahn, noting, "This band preceded me; the whole concept of the band preceded me." The group often featured female backing vocalists characteristic of R&B, creating a distinct sound that eschewed the Dead's world music influences. Between November 1978 and October 1979, the core trio briefly paused this project to perform in Reconstruction, a jazz-funk ensemble with Merl Saunders. In later years, as the Grateful Dead moved into stadiums, the Garcia Band expanded from clubs to arenas, particularly in the Northeast, while maintaining an informal residency at San Francisco's Warfield Theatre.

Reader's Guide

Fans of this project should expect a repertoire heavily tilted toward covers, ranging from Bob Dylan songs like "Tangled Up in Blue" and "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" to Chuck Berry's "Let It Rock." While the band shared some originals with the Dead, such as "Deal" and "Sugaree," it was the primary vehicle for Garcia-Robert Hunter compositions including "Mission in the Rain" and "Reuben and Cherise." The group released one studio album, Cats Under the Stars, and a live album titled Jerry Garcia Band during Garcia's lifetime. Following his death in 1995, John Kahn briefly led the rechristened JGB until his own passing in 1996. Since then, keyboardist Melvin Seals has served as bandleader, remaining the only member from the final iteration of the band active in the group.

Did You Know?

• Bassist John Kahn was the only constant member besides Jerry Garcia throughout the band's twenty-year existence.
• Longtime drummer David Kemper initially found the band's slow tempos "putting him to sleep" before accepting Garcia and Kahn's vision.
• The group performed Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II's "Ol' Man River" on multiple occasions (at least three) and Miles Davis' "So What" at least twice.
• In early 1979, the core members briefly formed a separate jazz-funk ensemble called Reconstruction, which performed from January to March 1979.
• Clarence Clemons guested with the band on tour for a brief time in both 1989 and 1990.