One doesn’t immediately think of San Jose as a psychedelic haven, or even a Grateful Dead-centric city. But this year, in December, a plaque will commemorate the band’s first gig as the Grateful Dead, which happened in a house in San Jose in 1965.
Notably, some of the post-Jerry Garcia shows, entitled the Fare Thee Well Concerts, were at Levi Stadium. And last, but certainly not least, is the annual Deadwood Halloween shows at the Fox Theatre, in Redwood City.
The band that is playing this Halloween show is a deep dish of Dead virtuosos, and the concerts raise awareness and money for the Grateful Guitar Foundation, a compelling nonprofit that gets instruments into students’ hands, and beautifully constructed Garcia knock-offs into the hands of the usually very broke musicians who play in Dead-related bands.
One of the driving forces behind this fun and beneficial event is San Jose’s very own Alex Jordan. Multi-instrumentalist Jordan contributes his tasty licks to a number of bands, including the viral sensation Bertha—the drag Dead band who infamously played the Kennedy Center.
High-minded and a community player, Jordan is well aware, and a primary example, of the importance of music education (and the instruments to play it) in the school system. Jordan’s father, Jay Jordan, has been a music teacher at Junípero Serra High School in San Mateo since 1977.
“I have seen firsthand the effects of a long-term investment in music and education. During a time where that is not heavily supported, it feels like a good time to do these shows,” Jordan says, taking time out between rehearsals for one of his numerous bands. “Music and art provides an avenue for expression that we don’t otherwise have. Your creative thinking does wonders for your mental health. Deadwood Halloween gives you an ability to give back to your community and add value in the world that you occupy. I’m a big believer in that.”
This year’s Deadwood Halloween is going to be a re-creation of the Grateful Dead’s show at the Marin Civic Center way back on Halloween in 1983, featuring a strong early ’80s selection of songs like “Brother Esau” and a “Lost Sailor”/“Saint of Circumstance” combo. The second set has some surprises (no sneaking a peek). While the band’s members change show to show, on this upcoming special event, the lead guitar—the Jerry seat—is no stranger to the mantle. It’s Jeff Mattson of Dark Star Orchestra (DSO) fame.
DSO has been recreating Grateful Dead shows for 30 years, and Mattson has been with them since 2009. A Deadhead at heart, Mattson is still surprised by finding some old shows that he was unfamiliar with.
“Yeah, that does happen because with the Dark Star Orchestra, we’re always playing. We’re re-creating set lists from different Grateful Dead shows. That’s the show. I don’t necessarily listen to every note of the original show because we’re doing a different one every night, but I’ll go through it, and every once in a while, like, wow, I never heard this show before. It’s really special,” Mattson says.
Mattson will be joined by his DSO brethren, Rob Eaton and Skip Vangelas. The band is rounded out with Brad Rhodes and Jerry Saracini (of Stu Allen and Mars Hotel) and, of course, Alex Jordan.
It’s no wonder that Alex Jordan has grown into a fine human and musician. Not only is his father a music teacher, he’s also a Deadhead. “My dad’s a massive Deadhead, or was at the time. I’ve far eclipsed him now, but he and my sister met Jerry at the Bridge School Concerts. It was backstage at Shoreline and they met Jerry and Bob and Phil. Everyone. And Wavy Gravy. And then we had some friends in the Grateful Dead office at Front Street. My sister wanted to name me Jerry Garcia Alex, which is hilarious. And that story got to somebody at Front Street. And Jerry sent my sister a signed photo that said ‘To Madison, thrive, always, Jerry Garcia,’” Jordan says, laughing.
Deadwood Halloween occurs on Oct. 31, at 7:30pm at the Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway, Redwood City. Tickets are $65-$75. gratefulguitars.com
