Last Friday night, Matt Butler brought his Everyone Orchestra to Terrapin Crossroads. The band, whose exact makeup typically changes (with the exception of Butler) from location to location, consisted of Michael Kang (String Cheese Incident), Jason Hann (String Cheese Incident), Aron Magner (The Disco Biscuits), Ross James (Terrapin Family Band), Robin Sylvester (RatDog), Sunshine Garcia Becker (Furthur), Zach Nugent (Melvin Seals & JGB), and Andrea Whitt (Zucchero Fornaciari). They also had played the night before with Dan Lebowitz (ALO) in Ross James’ spot. Most of the members had played in Everyone Orchestra at some point before, the exceptions being Nugent and Whitt.

On Thursday & Friday, November 8-9, Everyone Orchestra brings a sensational mix of talent to Terrapin Crossroads, the house that Phil Lesh built in San Rafael, CA, just miles north of San Francisco.

Conducted by maestro Matt Butler, Everyone Orchestra takes audiences and musicians alike on a wild improvisational ride- 100% of the show is created on the fly, with interplay among the world's best musical talent and synergy created through Butler's cues and direction.  An extra special collection of stars come together for 2 nights at Terrapin:

“Steve Poltz is not normal.” Self-proclaimed “Post Stroke Deadhead” –you’ll hear that story and many more. A child at heart, Poltz falls in with the ‘hipsters’ and ‘oldsters’. His music is so captivating that it transcends generations. A mix of singing, storytelling, shredding, and spoken word taking the audience from laughter to tears and back again. He co-wrote "You Were Meant For Me" with platinum-selling songwriter Jewel. Poltz transcends the word "talented. He’s unforgettable in all the right ways.

Moe., the crafty, veteran improv-jamming five-piece out of upstate New York, completed a four-day residency at Phil Lesh’s Terrapin Crossroads on July 1 with a fine show in the venue’s Beach Park. Phil Lesh & the Terrapin Family Band closed out the show, and then they all joined together for a three-song finale that turned it into a five ½-hour event.

On a very warm, sun-splashed Memorial Day in San Rafael, California, ALO and some of their musical friends performed outdoors at Terrapin Crossroads back yard area, aka Beach Park. Two full afternoon sets of their unique brand songs and ingenious and technically proficient jamming included extended guest spots by Trey Anastasio Band (and more) horn players Natalie Cressman (trombone) and Jennifer Hartswick (trumpet). Hartswick not only played but sang Blondie’s “Rapture,” as well as fine harmonies on “Shakedown Street.”

Backed by a varying procession of Bay Area players, Paige Clem led an epic CD-release party for her outstanding new album, “Firefly,” at Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael, California, on March 9. Clem, an engaging and talented San Francisco-based songwriter, singer, and guitar player, had plenty of prominent Bay Area musicians on hand to make this a special two-set show.

Grateful Web recently spoke with Spafford keyboardist Red Johnson between soundcheck and dinner at Terrapin Crossroads on March 4th, 2017 (review).  Red offered plenty of Spafford insights and motivations.

Grateful Web: Have you played the Bay Area before?

Spafford, the improvisational musical wizards from down Phoenix way, swept through Marin County, California, on their latest tour, touching down for a weekend of songs and jamming at Terrapin Crossroads.