Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on January 23, 2026
Video stil provided by @DogsInAPile
When a band has spent decades living inside the jam-space, it can walk into a Grateful Dead tune like it’s a familiar room—rearrange the furniture, open a window, and let the night air rush in. That’s exactly what happened on January 15, 2026 at LaRosa in Tucson, Arizona, when Leftover Salmon dropped into the Dead’s “Playing in the Band” and brought out a very special guest: Jimmy Law of Dogs in a Pile.
“Playing” has always been less a song than a launchpad—built to stretch, twist, and spark in real time—and this version hits that sweet spot where the groove stays grounded while the solos chase the horizon. With Law in the mix, the performance leans into a little extra zip and bite, adding another voice to the conversation without crowding the pocket.
Watch the full performance below:
Second set energy, Tucson heat, and a Dead classic built for detours—this one’s worth a spin (and then another).
