Last night, the Grateful Deads Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann, collectively known as the Rhythm Devils, hosted an all-star jam session at New Yorks Canal Room. The official kickoff celebration for the Green Apple Music Festival, the Rhythm Devils opened the weekends festivities with a cover of Santanas Jingo.
Fronting an ace band of Jammys performers, including Mike Gordon, Steve Kimock, Steven Perkins, Charlie Musselwhite, Baaba Maal, the Mutaytor and ‘2001’ author Deodato, among several additional percussionists, the Rhythm Devils explored a wide range of percussion based sounds, ranging from drum-and-bass electronica to tribal influenced world music. A Deodato-led version of 2001 and Iko Iko rank among the evenings choice covers. At the end of the night, Hart led both his ensemble and the entire audience onto the streets for a extended, evening closing drum jam to the tune of ‘Not Fade Away.’ Hart and Kreutzmann will co-host the Jammy Awards tonight, with Hart also leading a drum circle in front of Grand Central Station at 5 PM. Friday.