Peach Fest performer Melvin Seals jams with Jerry Garcia Band at Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe on March 20
From a press release:
It was announced today that Melvin Seals & JGB, whose mission is to continue the musical legacy of the Jerry Garcia Band, will return to Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe on Friday, March 20 at 8 p.m.
Seals is not only one of the longest-running members of the original Jerry Garcia Band, but he’s also a part of Oteil & Friends (led by Allman Brothers Band and Dead & Company bassist Oteil Burbridge), who performed at the 2018 Peach Music Festival in Scranton. Newly instated JGB guitarist/vocalist John Kadlecik is also a member of Oteil & Friends.
“John is No. 1 at sitting in that seat of simulation. Many players have licks that sound like Garcia, but John is full force with a sense of originality,” Seals said today.
Tickets, which are $27 in advance or $32 the day of the show, go on sale this Friday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Penn’s Peak box office (325 Maury Rd., Jim Thorpe), and Roadies Restaurant and Bar (325 Maury Rd., Jim Thorpe). Penn’s Peak box office and Roadies Restaurant ticket sales are walk-up only; no phone orders.
Melvin Seals has been a powerful presence in the music industry for over 30 years, with a long-established reputation as a performer, recording artist, and producer. He is most revered for his powerful, high-spirited Hammond B-3 organ and keyboards in the Jerry Garcia Band. Seals spun his B-3 magic with the Jerry Garcia Band for 18 years and, in doing so, helped pioneer and define what has now become jam band music. From blues to funk to rock to jazz, Seals serves up a tasty mix with a little R&B and gospel thrown in to spice things up.
Melvin & JGB brings an intuitive, expressive style, soul, spontaneity, and remarkable chops to the table. With acoustic and electric ingredients and unique combinations of Zach Nugent’s guitar and vocals, Pete Lavezzoli’s hearty drums and, of course, a heaping helping of the wizard’s magic on Hammond B-3 Organ and keyboards. Along with backing vocals, the result is a most satisfying blend of natural organic grooves that challenges genre boundaries. Their chemistry is the focus from which they create a spontaneous and high art where the sky’s the limit musically. They offer an exciting, often psychedelic musical journey that changes nightly and keeps the audience dancing and smiling (and some staring in amazement) for hours.
In addition to the often-played staples, the band explores the back catalog and performs a ton of super rare tunes, some of which the Jerry Garcia Band played only a few times over all those years. Adding his rock/gospel/soul/rhythm and blues touch to his funky style of playing, no wonder Garcia (Grateful Dead) nicknamed him “Master of the Universe.” Seals (organ, keyboards, vocals), John Kadlecik (electric guitar, lead vocals) John-Paul McLean (bass), Pete Lavezzoli (drums), and backup vocalists Lady Chi and Mary-eL continue to treat music lovers to this unique brand of melodic flavor that needs to be experienced live.
