Derek Trucks Jams With Terrapin Flyer At Martyrs’, Wielding Jerry Garcia’s ‘Tiger’ Guitar

Derek Trucks joined Terrapin Flyer at Martyrs’ in Chicago on Monday, sitting in with the Grateful Dead tribute act while playing Jerry Garcia’s Tiger guitar during a benefit concert celebrating the life of sound engineer and musician Tony Baker.

Tony Baker, Martyrs’ longtime sound engineer, is currently in hospice with terminal cancer. Baker and Martyrs’ owner Ray Quinn called upon several Chicago-based acts to perform at the concert celebrating Tony’s time on earth. Terrapin Flyer closed a night that also featured performances from Pazzo, Chicago Catz, Grassfed Collective and many other fixtures of the Windy City music scene.

Derek Trucks swung by Martyrs’ fresh off Tedeschi Trucks Band's recently completed 10-show Beacon Theatre residency. “Tiger” came on loan from Chicago’s Family Guitars. The axe was recently purchased by Family Guitars’ Bobby Tseitlin at auction for $11.56 million. Trucks accompanied Tseitlin to the auction and played “Tiger” during two shows of TTB's Beacon residency.

“Tiger” was Jerry Garcia’s main instrument from 1979 – 1989. Luthier Doug Irwin built the guitar for Garcia. Irwin, who also made several other guitars for Jerry, died on Friday, March 27 at age 76. The news of Irwin’s passing was announced hours before Trucks took the stage with Terrapin Flyer.

Derek Trucks played “Tiger” from a seated position last night. Terrapin Flyer and their guest jammed on “Dark Star” to launch the final set of the evening. The instrumental rendition gave way to “Truckin’,” which bled into “New Speedway Boogie.” Trucks stuck around for the romp through “The Other One” that followed. Chicago saxophonist Pat Mallinger also contributed to the continuous sequence.

Terrapin Flyer went sans guests as they began the Dead’s holy triumvariate of “Help On The Way,” “Slipknot!” and “Franklin’s Tower.” Mallinger returned to the stage for the “Franklin’s” jam and also added his sax to the version of “The Music That Never Stopped” that capped the set and concert.

A GoFundMe campaign has been created by Tony Baker’s loved ones to help cover anticipated end-of-life and memorial expenses. Over $9,000 has been raised as of press time.

Watch a livestream replay of the Tony Baker Celebration with Terrapin Flyer starting around the 7:42:00 mark:

Terrapin Flyer Setlist

Set: Dark Star*^ > Truckin’*^ > New Speedway Boogie*^ > The Other One*, Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin’s Tower^, The Music Never Stopped^

• * – w/ Derek Trucks on guitar
• ^ – w/ Pat Mallinger on saxophone