Jerry Garcia Band

About Jerry Garcia Band

Jerry Garcia Band was Garcia’s principal electric side project from the mid-1970s until his death in 1995. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, it gave the Grateful Dead guitarist and singer a more intimate setting for exploring soul, gospel, rhythm and blues, reggae, and rock. Its repertoire paired Garcia originals with songs by Bob Dylan, Motown writers, and other favorite songwriters, transformed through expressive guitar solos and unhurried improvisation. Longtime bassist John Kahn was Garcia’s central collaborator, while later lineups featured Melvin Seals on Hammond organ, drummer David Kemper, and backing vocalists Gloria Jones and Jacklyn LaBranch. Club and theater performances emphasized warm grooves, soulful singing, and the conversation between Garcia’s guitar and the band. The original Jerry Garcia Band is distinct from the later Melvin Seals and JGB project, which continues its musical legacy.