Dark Star Orchestra Grateful Guitars Foundation Benefit and Auction Happens Tonight at Pier 17, Featuring Oteil Burbridge-Played Replica of Phil Lesh’s Mission Control Bass Signed by Dead & Company
Photo Credit: Bob Minkin, L-R: Andy Logan (GGF), Rich Hoeg (Hoeg Guitars), Jack Barton (GGF), Rob Eaton (DSO), Ed Reines (GGF), Becky Logan (GGF)
Tonight, Friday, August 15, the Dark Star Orchestra Grateful Guitars Foundation Benefit will host a pre-concert VIP reception ahead of the Grateful Dead cover band’s highly anticipated Rooftop at Pier 17 performance. The charitable component will present an auction, which includes a replica of Phil Lesh’s famed Mission Control bass that Oteil Burbridge played during Dead & Company’s Sphere run and the band’s 60th anniversary celebration of the Grateful Dead at Golden Gate Park, signed by all members of the group.
The benefit event supports the Grateful Guitars Foundation’s mission to loan world-class instruments to talented players who maintain the tradition and spirit of jam music, while also financially supporting music-based educational programs. Reflecting on Grateful Guitars and DSO’s interwoven history, founder Andy Logan says, “Dark Star Orchestra and Grateful Guitars Foundation have joined forces several times over the years, including at last year’s Jubilee and celebrating the 40th of 7/13/84 at the Greek in Berkeley.”
“We are so thrilled to partner with DSO for the first time in New York City and cannot wait to celebrate this music with all the fans at the gorgeous Pier 17. We are eternally grateful to DSO for partnering with us to make this a benefit for GGF, so that we can bring music education to future players and gift instruments to ensure jam music lasts in perpetuity,” he concluded.
Dark Star Orchestra’s lead guitarist and vocalist, Jeff Mattson, adds, “We are so excited to be doing a benefit for the Grateful Guitars Foundation in my hometown of New York City. The generosity and benevolence of Andy Logan and the GGF have benefited Dark Star Orchestra and so many fine musicians, and the work they are doing to help underserved young people with music education is invaluable and sadly missing in today’s education programs.”
Tonight’s event in New York City follows the second annual Grateful Guitars Foundation benefit concert at San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall, on August 14, 2024, the 49th anniversary of the Dead’s final performance at the Bay Area venue. Expanding on their legacy as a supportive entity to the jam community, GGF released Grateful: The Music Plays the Band, a 17-track collection of Dead covers featuring key contributors to the scene.
Learn more about the Grateful Guitars Foundation at gratefulguitars.org.
Tonight’s concert at Pier 17 is sold out.
Bid and learn more about the signed replica of Lesh’s Mission Control bass.
