Deceased Grateful Dead guitarist/songwriter Jerry Garcia remains very much alive musically as his heritage continues to be performed by his former bandmates and acolytes. And he must be smiling in the afterlife at how his songs are now symphonic fare.
For the fourth year in a row, guitar star Warren Haynes will be joining forces with orchestras to perform Garcia’s music from his time with the Grateful Dead and as a solo artist. Nine dates for this coming summer have been announced at press time.
This year’s shows will come even closer to Garcia’s signature sound as Haynes and his backing band of drummer Jeff Sipe, bassist Lincoln Schleifer and vocalist Jasmine Muhammad are joined by longtime Jerry Garcia Band vocalist Jaclyn LaBranch. As well, Haynes will again be playing “The Wolf,” the first of Jerry’s custom guitars built by luthier Doug Irwin. “It’s the right guitar for that sound,” Haynes notes. “The instrument kind of forces you to play more like him.
“I’m looking forward to this summer’s symphony shows and continuing to explore the music of Jerry Garcia in such a beautiful and unique way,“ says Haynes. “It’s going to be very special having Jackie with us this summer and hearing her voice again on many of the songs she sang with Jerry.”
Garcia was the de facto leader, lead guitarist and a singer and songwriter for The Grateful Dead from 1966 to his death in August 1995, and in the process became an American cultural icon. His prolific musical activities also included his own Jerry Garcia Band, playing pedal steel guitar with the New Riders of the Purple Sage, banjo with the bluegrass band Old and in the Way and collaborations with keyboard player Merl Saunders and mandolinist David Grisman.
Haynes rose to prominence after joining the reformed Allman Brothers Band in 1989 as well as with his own band Gov’t Mule. He also toured with members of The Grateful Dead as The Dead in 2004, 2008 and 2009 and has played with Phil Lesh & Friends, who he will be joining for a series of sold-out show at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY on March 15th, 17th and 19th as well as May 28th and 29th.
Tickets for Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration can be purchased here.
Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration 2016 tour dates:
June 23: Nashville, TN, Schermerhorn Symphony Center with the Nashville Symphony
June 24: Atlanta, GA, Chastain Park Amphitheatre with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
June 26: Highland Park, IL, Ravinia Festival with the Ravinia Festival Orchestra
July 1: Lenox, MA, Tanglewood Music Center with the Boston Pops and Conductor Keith Lockhart
August 1: Morrison, CO, Red Rocks Amphitheatre with The Colorado Symphony
August 4: Canandaigua, NY, CMAC Performing Arts Center
August 6: Bethel, NY, Bethel Woods Center For The Arts with the Hudson Valley
August 7: Holmdel, NJ, PNC Bank Arts Center
August 8: New York, NY, Summerstage In Central Park
