For those unaware, 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 galvanized their unique brand.

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.

Their brand new album is entitled Jazz Interpretations of Grateful Dead and 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.

1. Bertha
2. New Minglewood Blues
3. They Love Each Other
4. Me and My Uncle
5. Brown Eyed Woman
6. Just A Little Light
7. Feel Like a Stranger
8. Ripple
9. Deal
10. Althea
11. Foolish Heart
12. New Speedway Boogie
13. Jack Straw

With the 13 songs from this live show at Old Rock House in St Louis perfectly capturing the raw energy of a live Jazz performance in combination with a Grateful Dead tribute experience, this new recording opens on the rhythmically pleasing Bertha, the melodious New Minglewood Blues and the folk-Americana of They Love Each Other (the original featuring one of Jerry’s mind-bending solos), and then we get the funkily grooved Me and My Uncle, the chord progression beauty Brown Eyed Woman, before the energetically maximized Just A Little Light is brought forth.

Along next is the diversely eclectic rocker Feel Like a Stranger, a beautiful song that is played at funeral’s around the world Ripple and one of the greatest songs of optimism ever written within the free flowing Deal and they are backed by the easy going Althea, the song of truth within the pop lite Foolish Heart, the set rounding out on the groove-hued New Speedway Boogie, closing on the sun shining drive, window leaning cut Jack Straw.

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