Ross James’ Gotta Serve Somebody: A Celebration of Dylan & The Dead

Ross James, of Phil Lesh & The Terrapin Family Band, is bringing his brand new project; "Ross James’ Gotta Serve Somebody: A Celebration of Dylan & The Dead” to the Brooklyn Bowl.  The group features a revolving lineup of some of the best players in the jam band scene and focuses on high energy, rock ’n roll interpretations of Ross’ favorite Grateful Dead & Bob Dylan songs.  Invoking the spirit of Dylan’s Rolling Thunder & The Dead’s Europe ’72 tour, this is not to be missed.  On February 25th Ross will be joined by Nicki Bluhm, Scott Law (Cosmic Twang), Grahame Lesh (Phil Lesh & The Terrapin Family Band / Midnight North), & Alex Koford (Phil Lesh & The Terrapin Family Band / Colonel & The Mermaids).  Buckle up Brooklyn.

After nearly a decade spent with the Gramblers, and recent high-profile collaborations (Phil Lesh, Infamous String Dusters, Ryan Adams), and a split from her husband and musical mentor, vocalist and songwriter Nicki Bluhm is stepping out on her own with her new album, TO RISE YOU GOTTA FALL. The songs were written over a two-year period in Bluhm’s life and chronicle her fundamental life changes, which found the West Coast native living in Nashville, TN. “These songs are the conversations I never got to have, the words I never had the chance to say, and the catharsis I wouldn’t have survived without,” she says. Recorded in Memphis, TN at legendary Sam Phillips Recording, Bluhm brought in producer Matt Ross-Spang (Margo Price, Jason Isbell), for these live band, analog sessions. The studio band includes Will Sexton (guitar), Ross-Spang (guitars), Ken Coomer (drums and percussion), Al Gamble (Hammond B3), Rick Steff (piano), Dave Smith (bass), with Sam Shoup (string arrangements) and various special guests.  TO RISE YOU GOTTA FALL tells the story of a woman searching for light among darkness and reveals her emergence as a powerful songwriter and vocalist of great depth and immediacy.

Grahame Lesh is a Marin County, California-based guitarist, singer-songwriter, bandleader, curator, and musical director whose work bridges roots rock, Americana, and the expansive improvisational tradition of the Grateful Dead universe. Best known as a founding member and co-frontperson of Midnight North, as well as for his work with Phil Lesh & Friends and the Terrapin Family Band, Lesh has become a central figure in the thriving musical community that grew out of Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael.

Beyond performing, he has also emerged as a curator and creative organizer behind collaborative concerts, rotating ensemble projects, and community-driven live experiences, including The Heart of Town and the Terrapin Roadshow series.

Since forming Midnight North in 2012, he has toured extensively nationwide and released a substantial body of original music, including five studio albums, three live albums, and two EPs, highlighted by 2023’s Diamonds in the Zodiac, produced by Amy Helm and featuring contributions from Phil Lesh and others.

Through Grahame Lesh & Friends, he further explores reinterpretations of Grateful Dead material, reimagined Midnight North songs, and eclectic repertoire while bringing together musicians across generations and genres in performances centered on spontaneity, collaboration, and reinvention.

His international touring with Phil Lesh ensembles has taken him to stages from Fuji Rock Festival to Newport Folk Festival, and his work remains rooted in songcraft, groove, and a commitment to pushing this musical tradition forward while honoring its roots.