The Art Of The Sit-In 2016 Spotify Playlist

JamBase Senior Contributor Chad Berndston’s monthly interview series The Art Of The Sit-In featured a mix of well-established and up-and-coming talented musicians throughout 2016. This edition of Saturday Stream takes a look back at the individuals who talked with Chad about collaborations and much more with a Spotify Playlist featuring the participants from this year.

The first AOTSI subject was January’s chat with guitarist Tim Reynolds who covered his solo efforts, current work with Dave Matthews Band and time he jammed with Herbie Hancock. A pair of keyboardists followed with February’s installment with The String Cheese Incident’s Kyle Hollingsworth and March’s chat with Joe Russo’s Almost Dead’s Marco Benevento. Kyle unsurprisingly had craft beer brewing on his mind, along with his solo projects and performing with The Allman Brothers Band. Marco’s interview examined his new album The Story Of Fred Short, a focus on singing and joining Dan Auerbach’s The Arcs for a tour.

In April Chad shared his chat with Gregg Allman Band musical director, guitarist Scott Sharrard, that touched on Scott’s role leading the legend’s backing group as well as fond memories of jam sessions at Bar Chord. Keyboardist Joel Cummins of Umphrey’s McGee was featured prior to the band’s UMBowl VII in May and dug into the many innovations implemented by the group as well as forming TAUKing McGee with the members of TAUK. Established bassist Oteil Burbridge tackled many topics in his June interview, including past endeavors with The Allmans and learning the music of the Grateful Dead in his current main gig with Dead & Company.

Joe Russo’s August entry explored how fatherhood was influencing the JRAD drummer and he also recalled performing with Benevento and Phish’s Trey Anastasio and Mike Gordon, a cherished collab with Levon Helm and his pending The Duo reunion. Veteran keyboardist Chuck Leavell found time in his busy schedule directing The Rolling Stones and performing with David Gilmour to be September’s subject. Chuck capped his chat with his 1981 tale about auditioning for The Stones.

One more keyboardist – John Medeski of Medeski, Martin & Wood – spoke with Chad this year, and John’s October discussion shed light into the future of MMW after 25 years together and his enjoyable time joining Antibalas on stage at Brooklyn Bowl. Last month the Disco Biscuits bassist Marc Brownstein delved into adjusting to a reduced touring schedule, his projects beyond Bisco and a redeeming sit-in with Umphrey’s McGee. Yesterday, Chad’s The Art Of The Sit-In with Twiddle’s Mihali Savoulidis was published and the guitarist gave a look back at 2016, including Phish keyboardist Page McConnell sitting-in with the Vermont-based band.

Below is a Spotify Playlist that showcases this year’s The Art Of The Sit-In participants. Stream along while revisiting Chad’s interviews from the past year: