Phil Lesh Played Surprise Central Park Set With Eric Krasno & Joe Russo On This Date In 2013

On November 9, 2013 the second installment of impresario Peter Shapiro’s Jazz & Colors event was held within Central Park in New York City. Thirty bands set up in 30 different locations within the park to each offer their own interpretations on songs from a pre-planned setlist. Yet the big surprise of the day was an impromptu jam that wasn’t listed on any of materials distributed to attendees that didn’t stick to the setlist. Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh set up shop near Sheep’s Meadow for a wonderful 30-minute performance with guitarist Eric Krasno and drummer Joe Russo.

Word spread about Phil’s appearance throughout his performance as at first only a handful of attendees bared witness to the magic, while hundreds surrounded the trio by the time they were done. Lesh, Russo and Kraz played a pair of jazz-tinged and adventurous jams surrounding a cover of “Get Back” by The Beatles. The performance was the first collaboration between Phil and Eric Krasno and the guitarist has since played with bassist a number of times.

Sadly Jazz & Colors never returned for a third installment.

Watch the full set captured by Gairy Garcia: