release date:20.06.2025
St. Louis-based Hard Bop Messengers to release “Live at Old Rock House” – Unique jazz interpretations of Grateful Dead classics!
The Hard Bop Messengers is a proven force in the St Louis Jazz scene. Regularly sold-out shows showcasing their original compositions, as well as thematic deep-dives exploring other genres, have galvanised their unique brand. Whether you are listening to their rendition of “You Brought a New Kind of Love”, or their all-original Jazz opera album “Live at The Last Hotel”, you will hear the group infusing Hard Bop stylings.
Their Jazz Interpretations of Grateful Dead shows are musical cross-pollinations, bringing new listeners to Jazz, while delivering Grateful Dead to a new audience in a unique format. “Presenting the music in this piano-based sextet format showcases the compositions” says John Covelli, arranger and leader of the band. “While there is no guitar-jamming Jerry Garcia character, it’s been widely appealing to Grateful Dead fans, as well as jazz listeners who are introduced to a new blended style of music.” Mission accomplished.
The sextet’s saxophonist Austin Cebulski, is currently finishing his Doctorate in Jazz from Univ. of Northern Colorado while teaching at Univ. of Wisconsin. His pivotal high-school-aged discovery of the Dead established his appreciation of Americana as well as ensemble interaction and improvisation. “Performing this music with the Hard Bop Messengers has reignited my appreciation for the deep level of musical communion that the Dead achieved as an ensemble.”
Patrick McLelland (piano) joined Gent Treadley, Vince Welnick’s post-Grateful Dead group, in 2006 and played shows with Charles Neville & Garth Hudson, before settling into a residency at 55 Bar in Greenwich Village. “Patrick is our quarterback” says Covelli. “He’s an encyclopedia of Grateful Dead live performances and keeps me honest on our approach.”
Upright bassist Chris Meschede and drummer Drew Weiss were familiar with the Grateful Dead music, however, admit to a previous lack of understanding of the culture. “It has been fun discovering what this music is about and why so many people dig it; while putting a jazz spin on it”says Weiss. Meschede says that his new level of appreciation came with this most recent live performance captured in this album. “The group on stage and the audience are all part of the same collaboration.”
“Jazz Interpretations of Grateful Dead” was co-created by Covelli and vocalist Matt Krieg. “For me, there’s a level of depth to the musicality and the songwriting that I never appreciated as a casual listener or fan” Krieg says. In his vocal style you will hear a natural, uncontrived passion.
The 13 songs from this live show at Old Rock House in St Louis capture the raw energy of a live Jazz performance in combination with a Grateful Dead tribute experience. Early in the 1st set, “New Minglewood Blues” shakes the place loose, followed by a NOLA-esque “They Love Each Other”. Their interpretations of “Me And My Uncle” and “Just A Little Light” bring the swing, while “Ripple” settles into the crowd singing along at the end. “Althea” is a 2nd-set standout in how it underlines the band’s approach of presenting the music in a unique fashion. In the first of two encores, “New Speedway Boogie” Krieg cajoles the crowd into agreement that “one way or another, this darkness has got to give.”