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Melvin Seals and JGB take on Tep’s Thursday

Josh Sweigert
jsweigert@tahoedailytribune.com
Melvin Seals and JGB pays tribute to the Jerry Garcia Band.
Courtesy Bob Minkin |

Deadheads take notice: one of the longest-running Grateful Dead side bands is heading to South Lake Tahoe’s newest music venue.

Melvin Seals and JGB will be rolling into Tep’s Villa Roma Sunday night, bringing a tried and true jam band sound dating back to the ‘70s.

Originally Jerry Garcia Band, JGB was formed by the Grateful Dead guitarist in 1975. Seals joined the band on keyboards in 1980. After Garcia’s death in 1995, Seals took over the group, renaming it JGB.



“I’m totally keeping Jerry’s music, vibe and spirit alive,” Seals told gratefulweb.com’s Bobby Martin in 2012. “I’m trying to keep what I learned onstage with Jerry alive the same way. Same vibe. Same feel. What leaves the heart reaches the heart so we just try to play from the heart.”

Seals is joined by Dave Hebert (guitar, vocals), Jimmy Tebeau (bass), Pete Lavezzoli (drums), Shirley Starks (vocals), and Cheryl Rucker (vocals).



Seals and JGB have made frequent appearances at and around Lake Tahoe, appearing frequently at Crystal Bay Casino and headlining Hangtown Halloween music event in Placerville in recent years.

With its Grateful Dead roots, the band has a guaranteed appeal in the region, Pet Projekts co-owner Ryan Kronenberg said. Pet Projekts booked Thursday’s show.

“It’s Northern California, Jerry Garcia band; it says it all right there, the Grateful Dead tie,” Kronenberg said. “People just loved his music. Personally, I think a lot of people honestly think that what Jerry did with Jerry Garcia Band was some of their favorite stuff. I wouldn’t say above and beyond Grateful Dead, but right up there with them.”


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