Ray Paczkowski Returns With Trey Anastasio Band

In what is sure to be one of the feel-good stories of 2018, longtime Trey Anastasio band member Ray Paczkowski made his triumphant returned to the stage last night at the Sprint Pavilion in Charlottesville, Virginia. Earlier this year the keyboardist underwent successful surgery to remove a brain tumor. As a result, Anastasio’s planned April tour with TAB was rearranged with the guitarist announcing he would instead hit the road as a trio for the first time since 1999.

Last month it was revealed that the Milkman was healthy enough to return to performing. On Thursday night Paczkowski joined Anastasio, bassist Tony Markellis and drummer Russ Lawton on stage as Classic TAB for the first time since last December at a one-off set at Warren Hayne’s annual Christmas Jam. The four-piece band delivered a 21-song, two set show in Virginia that lean-heavy on material from Anastasio’s full-time band.

The quartet going their night going with “Blaze On” as the opening frame saw the band work through a selection of Phish tunes with takes “Ocelot,” “No Men In No Man’s Land” and “Undermind.” Anastasio & Co. also showcased material that was originally debuted on his first solo tour digging in on a pair of TAB classics: “Gotta Jibboo” and “Sand.” The band’s second set of the night saw Classic TAB deliver their interpretation of “Camel Walk” while also serving up versions of “Steam,” “Party Time,” “Ghost” and “First Tube.”

Anastasio returned to the stage to perform a trio of songs solo acoustic to start the encore with takes on “Waste,” “Strange Design” and “More” with the rest of the band returning to bring their evening to a close with “46 Days.” Trey Anastasio and his bandmates return to the stage tonight with a show at New York City’s Central Park Summerstage. At press time the show is scheduled to return to the previously scheduled trio format.