The Woodstock Music and Arts Fair, better known simply as “Woodstock” created a number of lasting legacies, but 40 years on the concept of “jam bands” might be one of the most enduring.
Greg Merritt knows the genre well.
As the historic music event celebrates its 40th anniversary this weekend, Merritt will be jamming out with his own band, Heavy Road. They’ll be doing a special free performance today (Aug. 13) in New York City at Best Buy on West 23rd St. and 6th Ave. from 6-8pm.
The band’s foursome are veterans of the jam band and improvisational jazz music scene.
Ron Thaler, on drums, also doubles as a producer. He’s performed or produced several projects that have garnered 20 Grammy nominations over the past two years.
He’s worked with Willie Nelson, Taj Mahal, Sarah McLachlan, Rob Thomas and Alicia Keys as well as jazz legends Mike Stern, Al DiMeola, Hiram Bullock and Diana Krall. He’s also worked with jam band sensations Moev, Dweezil Zappa and DJ Logic.
Arthur Sadowsky, who plays bass, has performed worldwide with several jazz legends including the late Kenny Kirkland, who is most often associated with Sting, Branford Marsalis and Wynton Marsalis. He’s also worked with Cecil Bridgewater, and Grammy winners Bobby Sanabria and Carlos "GoGo" Gomes.
Pete Remm, on keyboards, is most noted for his work with reggae and blues rock band The Kinsey Report. Lead guitarist Don Kinsey has played with Peter Tosh, Albert King and the legendary Bob Marley.
Merritt, who is lead vocalist, plays guitar and brought the band together, has extensive experience in improvisational music. Like the jam band movement itself, Heavy Road is an improvisation that has its roots in a series of earlier groups.
Along with Alex Garay, Dave Migliore and Keith Giordano, Merritt founded the ‘90s psychedelic band Amorphous.
Dave and Alex went on to form Catbootz, and later the jam scene phenomenon Buzzuniverse, an eclectic blend of rock, jazz, latin and world grooves.
Greg went on to form the band Good Friend with drummer Dan DeRienzo and bassist Rob Smith.
The first release in 1995 was the 7" vinyl record Out There/River, a disc that more than 70 college radio stations played around the country.
Building on this success, Good Friend's debut CD Best Friend released in 1999 was played on more than 250 college radio stations, reaching No. 1 on more than a dozen stations.
Greg’s lastest project, Heavy Road is based in New York City and is keeping the spirit of the ‘60s jam scene alive.
“The new band is officially called ‘Greg Merritt's Heavy Road.’ I'm thinking we'll eventually just call it Heavy Road,” says Greg on his MySpace page.
If you like Buzzuniverse, Phish and The Grateful Dead, Heavy Road is highly recommended. They will be playing the Oasis Café in New Paltz, NY tonight (Aug. 13) at 11pm, the Epochxing Festival in Johnstown, NY on Aug. 16 and at the legendary Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, Sept. 6 at 9pm.
Be on the look-out for Heavy Road's new DVD release, coming this fall. For more information check them out on MySpace.com/gregmerrittmusic.
