Photo Credit: Marc Millman
On Wednesday, Jan. 15, Relix celebrated its 50th anniversary at New York’s Brooklyn Bowl by hosting a night billed as Taper’s Choice with Friends & Casual Acquaintances. In the magazine’s spirit, the evening’s framework reflected the songs and musicians that have made the publication possible, offering a three-plus hour display that provided a sonic definition of what improvisational music and the jam space are indeed for: collaboration, supreme instrumental prowess, and playful shenanigans.
Before the onset of live music, Scott Devendorf and Conrad Doucette warmed up the audience and spun Grateful Dead tracks. Relix’s Co-Editor-in-Chief, Mike Greenhaus, took the stage and plugged the night’s charitable angle to raise financial support for folks affected by the Los Angeles wildfires by donating to MusicCares and introducing the house band Taper’s Choice: Alex Bleeker (Real Estate), Chris Tomson (Vampire Weekend), Dave Harrington (DARKSIDE) and Zach Tenorio-Miller (Arc Iris).
Joining the California-based supergroup was an assembly of all-stars from the jam community, who turned up throughout the two-set performance and helped their hosts with choice homages, including Phish bassist Mike Gordon, harpist Mikaela Davis, scene staple and members of Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Scott Metzger and bandmate, Tom Hamilton, trumpeter and New York City favorite Jordan Mclean, and woodwind multi-instrumentalist Stuart Bogie. Also featured were late ‘60s era Grateful Dead keyboardist Tom Constanten and lead singer of indie darlings Guster, Ryan Miller, as well as bassist Karina Rykman, Dr. Dog backbeat Eric Slick, and The Greyboy Allstars’ soul jazz expert Robert Walter.
Sans guests, Taper’s Choice stepped on stage and took the Brooklyn venue on an expedition through the cosmos with layered and emotive instrumentals, which made them stand out. The first half of set one circulated originals: the Bleeker-led “Running from the Rain” prior to Tomson’s takeover on “Above the Timberline,” “Pinot Botticelli,” and “Darkness on the Edge of Midtown.”
Next, Taper’s Choice welcomed the night’s initial guests, a horn section comprised of Stuart Bogie and Lynn Ligammari on saxophone, Dave Smoota Smith on trombone, and McLean on trumpet. They contributed to “Dave’s Test.” As judged by namesake Harrington, the song did not initially pass the test, although upon further encouragement and another attempt, Harrington confirmed they had reached the desired outcome.
Taper’s Choice and company clicked into one final original, “Lick the Toad,” helmed by Bleeker before the night fully ascended into a cover of Blues Traveler’s 1994 mainstream success, “Hook.” Slick reinterpreted John Popper’s iconic delivery with assistance from a jovial Rykman, Brownstein and the horn section, who started set one’s final segment with an interlude of “Pachelbel’s Canon.”
After the set break, Relix’s other Co-Editor-in-Chief, Dean Budnick, imparted thanks to the community and staff that have supported the magazine’s ambitions of creating a space for folks of similar musical interests to come together as a family of eager and keen-eared listeners.
Whereas set one allowed Taper’s Choice to flex their independent prowess, the latter portion of the night saw the band in a supportive role, uplifting major covers that alluded to the material Relix has praised and continues to shine the light on. The music resumed with the Allman Brothers Band’s Eat a Peach classic, “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More.” The song was exemplified by Metzger’s ability to co-opt Dickey Betts’ iconic riffs and pay proper homage to the Southern rock staples and jam stalwarts.
Bleeker took the lead during the next move of the night, adding Taper’s own “Close Encounters” to the mix along with Metzger’s bandmate, Hamilton. In time, the aforementioned guitarist took the reins during the concert’s tribute to The Band via “Ophelia.” A defining moment of the evening was a Grateful Dead interlude featuring the group’s early contributor, Constanten, who, along with Davis, gave wings to the 1969 Aoxomoxa folky number–an album Constanten performed on–and follow-up, “Dark Star.” Unannounced guest Will Epstein also added to the composition, adding soprano sax.
In line with Phil Lesh’s legacy, the donor wrap promoted organ donation and the good of giving life to others. [Note: Tomson donned an old-school Miller High Life x Lesh t-shirt in tribute to the late bassist, who passed away in October 2024]. From the bequest of San Francisco, the night moved to Northeastern terrain and the beloved music it is known for with the arrival of Gordon for an unabashed take on “Susskind Hotel.” Notably, the song had not been performed since 2016, making its placement all the more enthralling for the slack-jawed crowd, who relished in the follow-up and fellow bust-outs, “Exit Wound” last played in 2011.
The final moments of the second set produced praise for outlaw country favorite Willie Nelson on the Gordon-led “Darkness on the Face of the Earth,” which also featured Davis, and preceded a take on Harry Nilsson’s “Coconut.” Relix publisher, Peter Shapiro offered the final thank yous, before the night ignited on Phish “Possum,” and exploded in dazzling effect with all on stage and Davis helming the Jerry Garcia Band-associated “Shining Star.” Lotus’ Mike Greenfield, Danny Tamberelli and Jesse Lauter were also on stage for the night’s final moments.
Harping on the jam scenes’ inability to stop once it starts, an after-show was spun by Relix favorite, and Wetland contributor, DJ Logic.
While Relix’s 50th anniversary celebration is in the books, the magazine will continue its legacy supporting artists and the jam community, offering digital and print content that promotes our beloved scene. Subscribe to Relix.
Scroll down to view photos shot by Marc Millman and Andrew Blackstein.
Taper’s Choice with Friends & Casual Acquaintances
Brooklyn Bowl – New York, N.Y.
Jan. 15, 2025
Set I: Running from the Rain, Above the Timberline, Pinot Botticelli, Darkness on the Edge of Midtown, The Dave Test+, Lick the Toad+&, Hook!&+?
Set II: Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More#~+, Close Encounters#-, Ophelia-+~, Mountains of the Moon$/ > Dark Star$/, Doner Wrap, Susskind Hotel@, Exit Wound@~, Darkness on the Face of the Earth@~/, Coconut@~`
Enc.: Possum@, Shining Star=
Notes:
+ With the horn section
& Eggy’s Jack Brownstein
! With Eric Slick
? Karina Rykman
# With Scott Metzger
~ With Robert Walter
– With Tom Hamilton
/ With Mikaela Davis
$ With Tom Constanten
@ With Mike Gordon
` With Ryan Miller
= All guests on stage