Pop Break Live: Melvin Seals & JGB at The stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ
March began with a roar of amazing jam music at The Stone Pony.
Melvin Seals and JGB came into town to deliver a two-set performance of original tunes and covers ranging from Marvin Gaye to The Jerry Garcia Band.
Seals is no stranger to the work of Garcia. In 1980 seals became a member of the Jerry Garcia Band, taking over piano and organ duties. Seals remained with the band until Garcia’s passing in 1995.
After the passing of Garcia and fellow Jerry Garcia bandmate John Kahn (one of the longest tenured members of Garcia’s band), Seals formed JGB. The band is, in essence the Jerry Garcia Band, sans the iconic singer. Their aim according to their press page’s are to continue the group’s legacy.
Outside of Seals, the band consists of Peter Lavezzoli, Zach Nugent, John-Paul McLean, Sunshine Becker, and Lady Chi.
Former members include: John Kahn, Jackie LaBranch, Gloria Jones, David Kemper, Donny Baldwin, Armin Winter, Ronnie Penque, Elgin Seals, Judah Gold, Stu Allen, Dave Hebert, Jimmy Tebeau, Jimmy Hubbard, Justin Purtill, Martin Holland, Sam Howard, Rob Wenig, Mark Corsolini, Judith Harris Colman, Elizabeth Holland, Gail Muldrow, Robert Sheldon Coons, Joe White, Cheryl Rucker, and Shirley Stark.
Pop Break’s Matt Heasley caught the band in action.
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You) (Marvin Gaye cover)
The Harder They Come (Jimmy Cliff cover)
Cats Under the Stars (Jerry Garcia Band cover)
Tore Up Over You (Hank Ballard cover)
Positively 4th Street (Bob Dylan cover)
Merle’s Song
Mystery Train (Little Junior’s Blue Flames cover)
Set Two:
Rain
Scarlet Begonias
Reuben and Cherise
Midnight Moonlight (Peter Rowan cover)
I’ll Take a Melody (Allen Toussaint cover)
My Sisters and Brothers (Charles Johnson cover)
Lonesome and a Long Way From Home (Eric Clapton cover)
