User:TheGarciaProject/sandbox

The Garcia Project

The Garcia Project is a band formed in 2010 by Mik Bondy and Tom Lee to recreate the Jerry Garcia Band experience. The band currently performs at venues and festivals in the northeast United States.

HISTORY In the fall of 2010, Mik Bondy and Tom Lee we both on a worship team at Pine Knolls Alliance Church in South Glens Falls, NY. Mik, a longtime deadhead and Jerry Garcia fan, heard the beautiful sounds coming from Tom Lee's Hammond keyboard and inquired to see if Tom would be interested in playing the music of The Jerry Garcia Band. Tom was not a deadhead and did not know much of Jerry Garcia, but knew and liked most of the songs that Jerry covered in is band. They found a couple more musicians at an open mic night in Saraotga Springs, NY and the first show was a benefit for Glens Falls Hospital's Annual Fund held at Otooles Bar and Grille in Queensbury, NY. The show was a success and folks from all backgrounds enjoyed the music.

In early 2011, vocalist Kat Walkerson found the band's videos online and asked to join the band. Kat had performed with Melvin Seals (longest running keyboard player of The Jerry Garcia Band) and JGB Band a few times and was also a longtime deadhead and Jerry Garcia fan. Soon after, Aaron Martin joined in on Drums and Dan Crea joined in on Bass guitar. Greg Marshall was brought in on Keyboards when Tom Lee decided that the shows schedule was getting to hectic and he needed to retire from playing.

In October 2012, Kat Walkerson and Mik Bondy performed with Melvin Seals, Jimmy Tebeau, Pete Levelozzi and Dave Herbet from JGB Band. In July, 2013 Melvin Seals will perform an entire show with The Garcia Project at the Jerry Jam music festival in New Hampshire.