The Zen Tricksters will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a rare performance at New York’s B.B. King Blues Club on Sunday, October 25. The group is currently on hiatus while founder and lead guitarist Jeff Mattson is on the road with The Donna Jean Godchaux Band and bassist Klyph Black tours with his blues band Rumor Has It. In addition to Mattson and Black, the Zen Tricksters’ October lineup will include veteran Tricksters Tom Circosta (guitar), and Dave Diamond (drums).

The Zen Tricksters first came together on Long Island as The Volunteers in 1979 and began touring nationally in 1989. In the 1990s, the group blossomed into one of the Wetlands unofficial house bands, playing the legendary club more than any other band. The group has also become synonymous with the Gathering of the Vibes festival and Mattson clocked in time with an early incarnation of Phil Lesh & Friends. In addition, the band boasts famous alumni like Jason Crosby, who spent years playing with Susan Tedeschi and Robert Randolph, and Rob Barraco, who toured as a member of The Dead and Phil Lesh & Friends before joining Dark Star Orchestra. Mattson will tour with Barraco next month when he fills in on lead guitar with Dark Star Orchestra.