Jazz Is Dead (band)
Instrumental Grateful Dead covers with jazz-fusion veterans.
Jazz Is Dead is an instrumental band that plays Grateful Dead songs with a jazz approach. The musicians come from jazz and jazz-fusion backgrounds. The lineup changed frequently over the years, with keyboardist T Lavitz as the only steady member until the group reformed in 2015—five years after Lavitz had died.
The original 1998 lineup featured guitarist Jimmy Herring, bassist Alphonso Johnson, drummer Billy Cobham, and keyboardist T Lavitz. In 1999, Cobham was replaced by drummers Rod Morgenstein and Jeff Sipe. Guitarist Jeff Pevar took over for Herring in 2001, and bassist Kenny Gradney played some shows. More changes followed, including bassist Dave Livolsi in 2002 and a return to two drummers—Sipe and Morgenstein—in 2006. That year, the band toured for a month playing music from the Grateful Dead album *Blues for Allah* to mark its 31st anniversary.
In 2015, to celebrate the Grateful Dead’s 50th anniversary, Jazz Is Dead reunited for shows in August and September. The lineup included bassist Alphonso Johnson, guitarist Jeff Pevar, drummer Rod Morgenstein, keyboardist Chris Smith, and former Grateful Dead pianist Tom Constanten. That same year, the band released *Grateful Jazz*, an album produced and arranged by Pevar. It featured T Lavitz, Pevar, Morgenstein, Livolsi, and guests including Alphonso Johnson, Luis Conte, Bill Evans, Jerry Goodman, Bill Holloman, and Howard Levy. The album served as a final tribute to Lavitz.
In 2023, the band marked its 25th anniversary with a lineup of Alphonso Johnson, guitarists Steve Kimock and Bobby Lee Rodgers, and drummer Pete Lavezzoli.
The band’s discography includes *Blue Light Rain* (1998), *Laughing Water* (1999), *Great Sky River* (2001), and *Grateful Jazz* (2015).
Quick Facts
- Landscape
- yes
- Background
- group_or_band
- Genre
- Rock / jazz
- Years Active
- 1998–2006 / 2015–2016 / 2023
- Current Members
- Alphonso Johnson / Steve Kimock / Bobby Lee Rodgers / Pete Lavezzoli
- Past Members
- Billy Cobham / Jimmy Herring / T Lavitz / Jeff Sipe / Kenny Gradney / Dave Livolsi / Rod Morgenstein / Jeff Pevar / Chris Smith / Tom Constanten
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Jazz Is Dead was formed in 1998 with an original lineup of Jimmy Herring on guitar, Alphonso Johnson on bass, Billy Cobham on drums, and T Lavitz on keyboards. The band quickly established a rotating roster of musicians from jazz and fusion backgrounds. In 1999, drummers Rod Morgenstein and Jeff Sipe replaced Billy Cobham, and in 2001 guitarist Jeff Pevar replaced Jimmy Herring, with Kenny Gradney occasionally playing bass.
Reader's Guide
Jazz Is Dead's significance lies in its reinterpretation of Grateful Dead material through a jazz-fusion lens, bringing together musicians from notable ensembles such as Weather Report, Mahavishnu Orchestra, and the Dixie Dregs. The band's ever-changing lineup, anchored by keyboardist T Lavitz until his death, allowed for diverse musical approaches. Their 2015 album Grateful Jazz served as a tribute to Lavitz and featured a range of guest artists. The band's 2023 25th anniversary lineup continued the tradition of blending Dead songs with improvisational jazz.
Did You Know?
- T Lavitz was the band's only constant member until they reformed in 2015, five years after his death.
- The original lineup included drummer Billy Cobham, who had played with Miles Davis and Mahavishnu Orchestra.
- The band's 2015 album Grateful Jazz was produced and arranged by guitarist Jeff Pevar.
- In 2023, the band celebrated its 25th anniversary with a lineup of Alphonso Johnson, Steve Kimock, Bobby Lee Rodgers, and Pete Lavezzoli.
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