Official Band Website

The Jerry Garcia Band was an American rock band led by Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead. Garcia started the band in 1975. Of his many side projects, it was the main one, until his death in 1995.

Over the years, the lineup of the band changed a number of times. The one constant member besides Garcia himself was bassist John Kahn. Melvin Seals had the next longest tenure, serving as keyboardist from 1980 onward. Seals became band leader following Garcia's death and changed the band's name to JGB.

Jerry Garcia's musical interests were famously varied, and this was reflected in the diverse music played by his band. Like the Grateful Dead, the Jerry Garcia Band played rock music that was influenced by blues, folk, country, and jazz. The band also played rhythm and blues and reggae songs, and rock versions of American roots music. Also like the Dead, the Jerry Garcia Band emphasized musical improvisation, and helped create what is known as jam band music.

During Garcia's lifetime, the Jerry Garcia Band released one studio album, Cats Under the Stars, and one live album, Jerry Garcia Band. Several more live albums were released posthumously.