Throwback Thursday | Ornette Coleman Joins Grateful Dead
By Andy Kahn Jun 11, 2015 • 10:20 am PDT

Coleman enlisted Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia for the jazzman’s 1988 album Virgin Beauty, featuring Garcia on three tracks. Five years later on February 23, 1993 Coleman joined Garcia and The Dead at the Oakland Coliseum for “Space,” “The Other One,” “Stella Blue” and “Turn On Your Lovelight” to close out the evening’s second set. Several months later, on December 9, 1993 Coleman again joined the band’s second set at the Los Angeles Sports Arena for the “Space” segment, remaining on stage for “The Other One,” “Wharf Rat” and “Turn On Your Lovelight.”
In honor of the late great saxman, below stream each of the two sit-ins Coleman made with the Grateful Dead.
February 23, 1993:
December 9, 1993:
Coleman’s influence was broad, evidenced not only by his Grateful Dead association but also by the tributes from other musicians being shared today:
Yours will always be the shape of jazz to come. Ornette Coleman. RIP.
— Joshua Redman (@Joshua_Redman) June 11, 2015
One of my biggest influences and musical heroes Ornette Coleman has passed. May his spirit continue to inspire… http://t.co/HcekBZoTjP
— Jeff Coffin (@JeffCoffinMusic) June 11, 2015
RIP musical titan Ornette Coleman who created, explored, defined and perfected free jazz.
— Tom Morello (@tmorello) June 11, 2015
Love for #OrnetteColeman. 1st month at #LateNightJimmy in ’09 & our manager hits us w/ a challenge:… https://t.co/vvE0H6Erlp
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) June 11, 2015
Rest In Peace to the legendary #OrnetteColeman. He was a true artist and innovator. Much love and respect. Thanks for your beauty, Ornette.
— The Soul Rebels (@SoulRebelsNOLA) June 11, 2015
Thank you for all the music Ornette, you were truly Something Else!!!! Rest in “Peace” http://t.co/jh8rQy4LwD pic.twitter.com/eQblfmv4JL
— Blue Note Records (@bluenoterecords) June 11, 2015
RIP Ornette Coleman. A true legend #jazzgreatness
— St. Paul and The BB (@StP_BrokenBones) June 11, 2015
Greatest American musician of all time http://t.co/gukTgxUknR
— Owen Pallett (@owenpallett) June 11, 2015
Very sad news ! Ornette Coleman, Jazz Innovator, Dies at 85 http://t.co/HeEBFjJNcZ
— John Mclaughlin (@jmcl_gtr) June 11, 2015
The Shape Of Jazz To Come…….has gone. Rest in Peace….Be Free… Ornette Coleman pic.twitter.com/IY6WKXNtva
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) June 11, 2015