Few things are more exciting in music than when opposite worlds collaborate. These are rare and unique events. This being the case with The Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration. Warren Haynes has remounted a short tour with only 10 performance dates summer 2016 including Ravinia Festival Pavilion, Highland Park north of Chicago Sunday, June, 26.

Here we were presented with classical musicians who obediently perform to musical scores with a conductor along side with rock musicians famous for an improvisational ability that fosters its own sub genre of jam-band music. This program was not simply taking Jerry's musical catalogue and orchestrating it. Somhow they baked in room for all out improvisation passages while the rest of the time playing lock step with the orchestra. This tight musical union was further demonstrated when conductor Rich Daniels opened up West L.A. Fadeaway with a saxophone solo. The enthusiasm and excitement from the stage was unmistakable.

Add to this uniqueness, Warren was playing Jerry Garcia's own custom made guitars that goes by the name of Wolf. The guitar sports a small graphic depicted in a tongue-waging wolf graphic on the body of the guitar. Much more than nostalgic, this helped Warren get closer to that real Jerry sound.

Warren's musical genius naturally exceeds the mark as he does a great job of playing jerry's notes and sounds. Joining Warren on the rock-side of the stage was drummer Jeff Sipe, bassist Lincoln Schleifer, vocalists Jasmine Muhammad and Jaclyn LaBranch. All seasoned by performing Jerry's material. In the case of Jaclyn, a member of the Jerry Garcia band.

The audience was clearly the cross section of died-in-the-wool Warren Haynes and Grateful Dead fans. Less the case with classical patrons who tradiationally frequient this pavillion. However, between Dead and Company, Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration, Further, Farewell Thee, The Other Ones and various incarnationss of the Dead's music performed over the years since Jerry's passing, this again proves the depth and staying-power of Garcia and the Dead's musical legacy for generations to come. Can this prove that Jerry Garcia someday will be recognized in a peer catagory with Aaron Copland as helping define a great Americana sound? 

Set List:
(Intro) Bird Song
Crazy Fingers
Shakedown Street
Comes a Time
China Cat Sunflower
Uncle John's Band
Scarlet Begonias
Morning Dew
Here Comes Sunshine
West L.A. Fadeaway
Touch of Grey
Drums
Blues for Allah
Terrapin Station
Attics of My Life
Ripple