Please don’t murder me if you think this review of the acclaimed jam-fusion band Jazz Is Dead runs hard to the gushy side. But even after all these years – more than 50 years of concert-going – I’m still a pretty impressionable guy (It’s true. . .) and it was only my first time seeing them.  So there was a lot to take in.

Grateful Web is thrilled to announce the triumphant return and 25th-anniversary celebration of Jazz is Dead, the celebrated instrumental ensemble renowned for their innovative jazz reinterpretations of classic Grateful Dead songs.

Jazz Is Dead, the acclaimed All-Star instrumental ensemble, famous for interpretations of classic Grateful Dead songs with jazz influences, proudly announce their August 2023 dates spanning the “Days Between & Beyond” in celebration of its 25th Anniversary. After a whirl-wind January tour covering 10 states and performing 16 shows, co-founder Alphonso Johnson will once again be joined by Steve Kimock, Pete Lavezzoli & Bobby Lee Rodgers.

THE THING festival returned to the historic Fort Worden of Port Townsend Washington after a three year hiatus. 'Fort Worden'-- the idyllic filming location for 'An Officer and a Gentleman'-- is presently a decommissioned Navy base that has been renovated into a college. Its sprawling parade grounds next to the ocean make a pretty location for a festival, and for those who camp, the nearby hillside is a picturesque campground with maritime views.

The acclaimed All-Star instrumental ensemble, famous for interpretations of classic Grateful Dead songs with jazz influences, returns in 2023 to celebrate its 25th Anniversary. Co-founder Alphonso Johnson will be joined by Steve Kimock, Pete Lavezzoli & Bobby Lee Rodgers, performing Grateful Dead’s ‘Wake of The Flood’ marking it’s 50th Anniversary, in addition to other beloved selections. Jazz Is Dead XXV ‘reunites’ two greats!

Sadly, I believe this is what most people think of when they think of jazz. A bunch of loud instruments trying to drive you mad through cacophony. This is unfortunate and the sentiment is misguided. Jazz, to me, is a concept about how music, especially “live” music, can be played. A concept that promotes a mostly unscripted, free flowing exchange of sounds and ideas. A formula that elevates originality over predictability. In other words, jazz is all about improvisation, spontaneity, and taking chances. Certainly, there are cases when the formula fails, but when the stars align, jazz can lead to most beautiful, meaningful, and redeeming music you will ever hear. It’s really an approach to music and spans a wide spectrum of the musical landscape, from bluegrass to rock n’ roll to the more textbook definition of jazz, including blues, bebop, and hardbop. Bands and artists – to name a few -that live or lived by this jazz ethos include Miles Davis, The Grateful Dead, John Coltrane, The Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton, Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins, Steve Kimock, and Phish.

One of the finest tribute projects honoring the work of Grateful Dead is the instrumental ensemble of Jazz is Dead. Formed in the late 1990s after the passing of Dead guitarist and bandleader Jerry Garcia, Jazz is Dead featured the best cats out there including drummer Billy Cobham and the late keyboardist T. Lavitz. As the project evolved other tremendously talented players entered the picture to continue this strikingly singular idea.

The 2015 release of "Grateful Jazz", produced by Jeff Pevar, features world-renowed musicians such as Rod Morgenstein (Dixie Dregs), Jeff Pevar (Ray Charles, CSN, Joe Cocker, Phil Lesh, etc…)  & Alphonso Johnson (Weather Report, Santana, etc…). Jazz is Dead begins their U.S. Tour on August 2, 2015 in LA, ending after 16 shows back in California again at the well-known, Sausalito Arts Festival on September 5.