Back To Our Beginninging: The Grateful Dead

The jam genre can be traced back to the improv of jazz artists on stage. Coltrane would perform 20-30 minute ballads. This requires an intense knowledge of the instrument and of music theory. When the idea of improv finally hit rock music it came in a beautiful form, The Grateful Dead. Following their roots, each musician was influenced by many genres ranging from jazz to bluegrass. Phil Lesh on Bass, Bob Weir on guitar as well as Jerry Garcia; it was one of the most talented bands of the time. Not to mention the fantastic other musicinas that took part in what became a country wide phenomenon of music. Percusionists and keyboard players came and went, but the core never changed. Every song is different, every version brings on something new and spectacular. The power of the Grateful Dead has never ceased. They continued to be a force for 30 years on tour. Their improv jam sessions became historic and their sets with guests from all over started the genre that has now become known as jam.
They even took the liberty to allow free recording of their shows. If you know where to look almost every single Dead show can be downloaded. I have about 100 dead tapes on my computer that date from 1965-1992. Of course these shows are freely trade able and if anyone needs to get a hand on em, don't hesitate to ask.