X-Nico

unusual facts about Merl Saunders



Gaylord Birch

In 1979, he joined Merl Saunders & Jerry Garcia in Reconstruction the new outfit Merl & Jerry are putting together with the help of Ed Neumeister (trombone), Ron Stallings (Tenor Sax & Vocals) and John Kahn (Bass).

Rainforest Band

The Rainforest Band began in 1990 with the Grammy-nominated album Blues From the Rainforest, a collaboration between jazz keyboardist Merl Saunders, percussionist Muruga Booker, and Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia, with Shakti Booker (vocals), Eddie Moore (percussion), Melvin Seals (sound effects) and Bill Thompson (drum & sampled sound midi-technician).

The Earth Will Swallow You

Much of the concert footage highlights their appearances with other artists, including Taj Mahal, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Jorma Kaukonen, Merl Saunders, and Cecil "P-Nut" Daniels.


see also

Rainforest Band

This appearance was to be the launching point of a new tour starting at Nelson's Ledges Quarry Park in 2002; however, it was to be the last performance of the Rainforest Band with Merl Saunders.