In Memory Of Bob Weir: Umphrey’s McGee Debuts Grateful Dead Cover In Aspen
Watch drummer Scotty Zwang channel Weir on “Jack Straw” at the Belly Up Aspen.
By Scott Bernstein Jan 15, 2026 • 11:37 am PST
Umphrey’s McGee fit a debut cover of the Grateful Dead's “Jack Straw” within a beloved jam vehicle on Wednesday night at the Belly Up Aspen. The sextet performed the song in honor of the late Bob Weir.
The Grateful Dead guitarist, who recently passed away at age 78, made a guest appearance with Umphrey’s McGee at the original Brooklyn Bowl location on September 6, 2011. Weir sat-in on GD live repertoire staple “Not Fade Away” and UM instrumental “Glory.”
Bob Weir wrote “Jack Straw” with Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter. The song was first played live by the band on October 19, 1971 in Minneapolis and was performed frequently through Jerry Garcia’s death in 1995. While Weir initially sang all of the vocals, he started trading vocals with Jerry Garcia by 1972.
Umphrey’s McGee premiered their take on “Jack Straw” during the “Utopian Fir” that opened the group’s second set in Aspen on Wednesday. The show was UM’s second of two nights at the Belly Up. Surprisingly, drummer Scotty Zwang handled the vocals sung by Weir while keyboardist Joel Cummins took on Garcia’s vocal parts. Zwang showed off an impressive Bobby imitation throughout.
Watch a fan-captured clip of Umphrey’s first-ever “Jack Straw” cover below:
Earlier in the evening, jam-filled versions of “In The Kitchen” and “Deeper” began the concert. Umphrey’s then followed “Hiccup” with rarity “Pork Chop Pie,” which has only been performed a total of nine times. The ensuing “FF” featured a “Jimmy Stewart” improvisation with vocals and led into a +14-minute “Draconian.” A crowd-pleasing cover of David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” ended the opening stanza.
After rolling out “Jack Straw,” the ensemble took “Utopian Fir” deep for over 20 minutes. The final set of Umphrey’s Aspen run also featured fan favorites “Slacker,” “Night Nurse,” “Wappy Sprayberry” and “40’s Theme.” UM returned to punctuate the night with a “Cemetery Walk II” encore.
Umphrey’s McGee now heads to Boulder to begin a three-night stand at the Boulder Theater tonight. Livestreams are available via nugs with an All Access subscription.
Official Audio (via nugs)
Setlist (via All Things Umphreys)
Set One: In The Kitchen, Deeper > Hiccup > Pork Chop Pie, FF[1]-> Draconian, Let’s Dance
Set Two: Utopian Fir[2] > Jack Straw[3] > Utopian Fir > Slacker, Night Nurse, Wappy Sprayberry > 40’s Theme
Encore: Cemetery Walk II[4]
Footnotes:
- [1] “Jimmy Stewart” with lyrics
- [2] with Over the Hills and Far Away (Led Zeppelin) tease in intro
- [3] first time played, Grateful Dead
- [4] with Blue Monday (New Order) teases
Show Notes: Jack Straw played in remembrance of Bob Weir
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