Last Thursday, the Aggie Theatre in Fort Collins, Colorado became ground zero for Marco Benevento’s winter tour and the beginning of a three-night run through The Centennial State. Backed by the usual suspects Karina Rykman on bass and Dave Butler on drums, the trio delivered a 90-minute set of tunes pulled from each of Benevento’s solo releases.

Karina Rykman is one of those bass players that can fit into any musical scenario. With her infectious smile and general upbeat way about her, she brings life into every project she is a part of. Whether it be the trio of Marco Benevento or her own, Karina Rykman Experiment, you know the energy will be flowing with every bass note from Ms. Rykman.

The Gasparilla Music Festival (GMF) presented by Cigar City Brewing has announced its full lineup including performance dates for the 9th annual festival taking place March 7 - 8,  in Tampa.

As thousands scurry away from Madison Square Garden around 11 PM on Sunday, there are so many options in New York City. The city that “never sleeps” will be extra electric over the final four days of 2019. After Phish, many after-parties go on until the wee hours of the morning.

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead took over Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre last Thursday, August 29th, igniting a monumental weekend of music throughout the Greater Denver Area. Attendees began their night socializing and connecting to fellow Deadheads in the lots, as others had their finger up looking for their miracles for this legendary sold-out show at Red Rocks.

Today, Marco Benevento releases "Send It On A Rocket," his self-proclaimed "end of summer anthem" and third single ahead of new album Let It Slide (out September 20th on Royal Potato Family).

What is fair to say and what is hyperbole? Is it overstating things to say the Grateful Dead have become so much more than just their music? They define pieces of us. Times with friends. Discovery. They have become an institution reaching further than just recordings of their shows. But no matter what, for all of us, it still starts there; with the music. The music was and is a driving force in us. But since it has ended, and it has ended, what we are left with are new branches growing from roots sewn in the 60’s.

“Tennessee Jed” was a raucous riot, as it indubitably should be. The instrumental breaks showcased JRAD’s proclivity for shaking fresh ideas out of well-worn material. Benevento dropped a stanky, Dr. John crossed with Dave Brubeck piano piece. Metzger and Dreiwitz slipped into a parallel, Bizarro “Jed.” The entire unit tilted and started to spin ecstatically. It was like putting a Ferris wheel on top of a roller coaster. JRAD increasingly infused the Dead’s material with their own creative energy. They weren’t out to simply play these cherished songs; they sought to possess them and make them their own.

Jam scene visionaries Joe Russo’s Almost Dead are underway on their current 2019 winter tour, and this past week performed at Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe, PA, the following night at College Street Music Hall in New Haven, CT, and last night at The Wellmont Theatre in Montclair, NJ.

Higher Ground is pleased to announce Joe Russo’s Almost Dead on July 28, 2019 as a part of the Lake Champlain Maritime Festival. Tickets go on sale Friday, February 8th at 1pm.