Melvin Seals, Oteil Burbridge & John Kadlecik Lead ‘A Merry Jerry Christmas’ In Pomona

Organist Melvin Seals, bassist Oteil Burbridge and guitarist John Kadlecik came together to headline the “A Merry Jerry Christmas” charity concert at the Fox Theatre in Pomona, California on Sunday night. The A Merry Jerry Christmas Band focused on gems from the Jerry Garcia Band repertoire as well as few Grateful Dead classics. Proceeds from the evening went towards Story Book Adventure, a local organization, which brings both music and literacy education to kids around the Inland Empire metropolitan area located east of Los Angeles.

Seals, Burbridge and Kadlecik were joined for their set by drummers Ed Fletcher and Brad Rhodus as well as backing vocalists Halina Janusz and Lisa Malsberger. The band kicked off the action with Kadlecik fronting the group on the Motown classic “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You).” Next came a run of Garcia’s “Run For The Roses,” Peter Tosh’s “Stop That Train,” JJ Cale’s “After Midnight” and Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door.” The focus then turned back to Jerry originals with “Cats Under The Stars,” “Stella Blue,” “Shakedown Street” and “Mission In The Rain.”

Sunday’s concert continued with the Motown gem “That’s What Love Will Make You Do” ahead of “Dear Prudence” by The Beatles. Oteil then had a turn in the spotlight for a slow and throbbing “Gomorrah.” The A Merry Jerry Christmas Band closed out the evening with the pairing of “Don’t Let Go” and “Midnight Moonlight.” Photographer Rob Chapman was on hand at the benefit. Check out a full gallery of his work:

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”1764″]

Audio | Taped by Geoff Bender

Fan-Shot Videos | Captured by Ed Congdon

Stella Blue

Stop That Train

Setlist

Set: How Sweet It Is, Run For The Roses, Stop That Train, After Midnight, Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door, Cats Under The Stars, Stella Blue, Shakedown Street, Mission In The Rain, That’s What Love Will Make You Do, Dear Prudence, Gomorrah, Don’t Let Go, Midnight Moonlight