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MELVIN SEALS & JGB IN CONCERT:
Electric organ master Melvin Seals rose to prominence in the '80s as a member of the Jerry Garcia Band, and today he keeps Garcia's hallowed legacy alive and kicking with his offshoot band the JGB. Taking the stage amid trippy '70s-inspired visuals, the group improvises their way through groove-heavy sets of jazz and blues-infused rock jams, wowing audiences with their intuitive playing and world-class chops. Seals' virtuosic keyboard riffing remains as sharp as ever -- whether he's lending his nimble fingers to Grateful Dead classics like "Sugaree" or performing covers of Motown favorites like "How Sweet it Is (To Be Loved by You)". Ticket buyers to looking for a good time can expect a wildly diverse, high-energy concert experience every time.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
San Francisco-born Melvin Seals took up the piano at age eight and by his teens he was playing with his church's gospel choir. He went on to record and perform with luminaries like Charlie Daniels and Chuck Berry before joining the Jerry Garcia Band in 1980. Seals recorded and performed with the band throughout the '80s and '90s, appearing on revered albums like 1982's Run for the Roses and 1991's Jerry Garcia Band LP. Following Garcia's death in 1995 Seals launched JGB, a continuation of the project dedicated to honoring the late great guitarist's beloved musical legacy. Since then the group has released several studio albums, dropped a series of live albums titled Pure Jerry, and headlined the Grateful Garcia Gathering in Mauston, WI. Seals & JGB continue to impress Deadheads and jam band lovers around the country with marathon sets of solo-filled tunes every time they hit the road on tour.
It was a great show at the Capital Theater. The band was on and crowd great. Wish they would have done an encore. But they played 2 great sets and the warm up band One Eyed Jack was fantastic. It was a great night.
Seals gets his name above the title for a reason. Strong organ runs are the highlight of his band's sound. Other players are skilled and energetic, singer merely competent. They honored the Garcia shrine the Capitol Theatre has become with fine renditions of songs from the Jerry Garcia Band's history as well as Dead standards like Taj Mahal's Corrinna, Garcia's Sugaree, Deal, Cats Under the Stars and The Wheel, and a rousing U.S. Blues. My personal favorite is Dylan's Tangled Up In Blue-so glad I caught it. Clapton's Lay Down Sally and Sam Cooke's Wonderful World were sweet moments for 2000 aging stoners to mellow out. Not to come across as a cover band, especially here, it is notable that the setlist was more evocative of Garcia Band than The Dead. I've seen a lot of Grateful Dead concerts-the experience can't be replicated. I enjoyed Dead & Co. and Phil Lesh and Friends recently, but age is catching up with the principals, and I'm sorry John Mayer is not Jerry. JGB is not trying to present a Dead concert; their own history is now as long as the Dead's was. This music is timeless and should live forever in the hands of solid musicians who play it on their own terms.
A wonderful, fun good time as always at the Capitol Theater đ. This was the 5 th time seen Melvin Seals great energetic performance. As always the Capitol Theater is a great venue and the entire staff is the best. Let the good times Roll
Where are they playing next! The saxophone player was a great addition I wasnât expecting
As a 66 year old Dead Head who saw the original JGB many times, I don't recall ever being at a show that had a sax player for the entire show. At the Cap on 4/5/2024, he accompanied the band on every song. On the final song "Deal", John Kadlicek's lead was straining to be heard over the sax. I wouldn't mind if the sax player came out for a few songs, but the entire show? So please in the future, when you put tickets on sale, let us know if it is "JGB and sax player". For me and my friends , it was not the show we were expecting. Thank you.
I have been to see JGB 5 times and have enjoyed them very much every time.. I will go see them again when they come back this way . The crowd certainly had a good time .They were dancing everywhere with big smiles on their faces. I was fortunate to see Jerry Garcia band 17 times with Melvin Seals .Thanks, Rob
I was kind of hoping to have the main attraction play more than 3 songs. Great band, just a bit upset that knowing the bad weather was coming the warm up act could have cut short their set. Just my 2 cents. Love Melvin Seals and the JGB. Especially with John on guitar!!
Very small and Qwaint venue. Thank you for the quality of the music. It was wonderful. Just to fix I was looking for.
Great show at the Cap! Stella Blue Band opened and they were excellent! Melvin Seals and the JGB were even better! John K. on lead guitar continues to evolve into one of the best improv guitarists around. Do it again!
I loved every minute of this show! Jerry G would be proud.
