Mike Gordon Unveils New Band for New Orleans Performance

On May 2, Mike Gordon will touch down in The Big Easy for a highly-anticipated one-night-only performance at the Joy Theater. Gordon’s performance lands in the second weekend of New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and is his only solo date of the year announced so far. To match the caliber of the occasion, the iconic Phish bassist outlined a new backing band on social media.
In a story posted to his Instagram account, Gordon announced that his tried and true accompanying quartet will see some changes for the standalone performance. While longtime members drummer John Morgan Kimock and Greyboy Allstars keyboardist Robert Walter will join in the show, guitarist Scott Murawski and percussionist Craig Myers will cycle out to welcome fresh faces.
In lieu of the storied musicians, both of whom have supported Gordon onstage since the outfit’s 2008 debut, the frontman will be joined by guitarist and vocalist Xavier Lynn and guitarist Bob Wagner. Wagner is a staple of the Burlington, Vt. jam scene and longtime collaborator with Gordon, regularly joining forces onstage for special occasions like the Hug Your Farmer benefit events. To preview their sound together, Gordon and Wagner have shared two videos of rehearsals.
Gordon’s show at the Joy Theater has been billed as a “night of entirely new dimensions of kaleidoscopic music.” Karina Rykman will open the show as a special guest. Find tickets and more information here.