Full Show Audio: Umphrey’s McGee Enlists Joshua Redman For Show With All-Improv Set In Portland

An eventful Winter Tour for Umphrey’s McGee continued on Friday night at the State Theatre in Portland. The band was joined by special guest Joshua Redman on saxophone and was without guitarist Jake Cinninger (still battling a “wicked flu”) for a show that featured an all-improv second set.

Following an opening performance from Spafford, UM presented a first set heavy on older material. They kicked off the set with “2×2” before Redman emerged for takes on “Bad Friday,” “Anchor Drops,” The Police’s “When The World Is Running Down,” “Hajimemashite” and “Mail Package.” Keyboardist Joel Cummins handled Jake’s vocals on the closer.

Umphrey’s McGee’s second set was 65 minutes of pure improv. The band and their guest would find a groove and ride it hard before moving on to the next groove. At times the music sounded like Traffic at times Prince at times Pink Floyd. Drummer Kris Myers and bassist Ryan Stasik were crucial in the maneuvering through multiple jam spaces, while guitarist Brendan Bayliss showed off Zappa-esque riffs and led to a few huge peaks. He also sang at points for lyrical “Jimmy Stewarts.” The band then finished off the night with a “Much Obliged” > “Ophelia” (The Band) encore. Listen to the entire show below:

Full Show Audio (Taped by opsopcopolis)

Setlist (via All Things Umphrey’s)

Set One: 2×2[1], Bad Friday[2], Anchor Drops[2], When the World Is Running Down You Make the Best of What’s Still Around[2] > Professor Wormbog[2], Hajimemashite[2], Mail Package[3]

Set Two: Improvisation[4]

Encore: Much Obliged > Ophelia

• [1] with Feels So Good (Chuck Mangione) teases
• [2] with Joshua Redman on saxophone
• [3] with Joshua Redman on saxophone and Joel on vocals
• [4] including “Jimmy Stewart” with lyrics

• Notes:
• entire show without Jake
• the second set was completely improvised
• Support: Spafford