Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-07-22
Tony Saunders and Keystone Revisited will celebrate Jerry Garcia’s birthday with A Night of Music, Groove & Garcia on Saturday, August 1, at the Sausalito Center for the Arts in Sausalito, California.
The evening will feature two sets of music associated with Garcia and Merl Saunders’ landmark Live at Keystone recordings, along with an opening performance from actor and musician Max Gail. The celebration will also include an exhibition of Jerry Garcia’s artwork, room for dancing, a birthday singalong, cake, and champagne.
A NIGHT OF MUSIC, GROOVE & GARCIA
Saturday, August 1, 2026
5–8 p.m.
Sausalito Center for the Arts
750 Bridgeway
Sausalito, CA
Tickets: $35
GET TICKETS HERE.
Led by bassist Tony Saunders, Keystone Revisited draws from the deep musical relationship shared by Garcia and Saunders’ father, keyboardist Merl Saunders. Their collaborations blended rock, jazz, blues, soul, and funk, most famously captured during their 1973 performances at the Keystone in Berkeley.
Tony Saunders was only 18 when he had the opportunity to perform with Garcia and his father. Decades later, he continues to carry that musical spirit forward through Keystone Revisited.
The group features Scott Guberman on keyboards, Jonny Mojo on guitar, Stephanie Harwell Mandella on vocals, John Mitchell on drums, and Jake Temple on saxophone. Guberman has performed with Phil Lesh, while the band’s broader connection to the music gives its performances a direct link to the Garcia and Saunders tradition.
Keystone Revisited has become known for energetic shows that honor the original music without treating it as a museum piece. The group revisits the songs through improvisation, deep grooves, and the free-flowing chemistry at the heart of the original Keystone performances.
Max Gail, a longtime friend of Merl Saunders, will open the evening with a performance drawn from the music closest to his heart. Gail and Tony Saunders are both Emmy Award winners.
The accompanying Jerry Garcia art exhibition features approximately 40 works available for purchase, with sales supporting the nonprofit Sausalito Center for the Arts.
With live music, visual art, dancing, and a communal birthday celebration, A Night of Music, Groove & Garcia offers an evening devoted to Garcia’s creativity and the enduring musical partnership he shared with Merl Saunders.
