Friday Cheers - Melvin Seals and JGB (with the Spaceheaters) May 8, 2009

We can’t *not* mention this one because 1) it’s a Richmond springtime fixture and 2) it’s free! This week kicks off their concert series for 2009 and will feature Melvin Seals and JGB. And seriously, who doesn’t love beers on Brown’s Island? Terrorists, that’s who. Friday, May 8th, 6pm, Brown’s Island, free!

More on the bands...

Melvin Seals, whose musical roots seep deep into gospel soil, has always been seeking that point where music merges with spirit, what he calls “church vibe.” He found it with Jerry Garcia more than two decades ago, and he is finding it again in the new JGB. “Jerry Garcia Band was my absolute favorite band in the world and I’m honored to be able to carry on the torch and play homage to the heart and feel and tones,” said Seals.

Melvin Seals has established a reputation as a recording artist, producer and record company executive in the field of gospel music. He first took up piano at the age of 8 and his first public performances were playing gospel music in church; his first band, “Gideon & Power,” was a local San Francisco group. He has gone on to perform/record with Elvin Bishop, Charlie Daniels, Chuck Berry and for 15 years with Jerry Garcia. He was the featured organist in such Broadway hits as “Evolution of the Blues” with John Hendricks, ACT’s production of “American More Or Less,” the Joyce Carroll Thomas play “A Song In the Sky,” and the hit “Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope.” Melvin formed JGB one year after Jerry Garcia’s death on August 8, 1995 and was originally joined by Gloria Jones and Jackie Labranch, who were Garcia’s background singers.

Official Website: http://www.venturerichmond.com/events/vrevents.html#may8