Grateful Deadication 2

Saxophonist Dave McMurray returns with Grateful Deadication 2, the follow-up to his acclaimed 2021 tribute album which once again finds the saxophonist reimagining the songs of the Grateful Dead with his gritty and soulful Detroit sound joined by special guests including Oteil Burbridge, Bob James, Jamey Johnson, Greg Leisz, and Don Was. Watch the official video for the lead single “Scarlet Begonias” featuring vocals by Burbridge. Grateful Deadication 2 will release May 19, 2023.

Grateful Deadication

Dave McMurray has taken a long, strange trip to arrive at his sophomore release for Blue Note Records. On Grateful Deadication, the saxophonist bridges his gritty, soulful Detroit sound with the flower empowered songs of San Francisco icons the Grateful Dead with a tribute album as vibrant as it is unexpected.

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Music Is Life

Dave was born and raised in the City of Detroit. He started playing sax when he was 9-years-old, and received a full scholarship to Cranbrook Schools, based on his artistic gifts. After graduating from Wayne State University, he began his career as a mental health worker. He soon left to pursue his dream of making a living from music.

Dave has worked with BB King, The Stones, Bob Dylan, Iggy Pop, Bonnie Raitt, Patti Smith, Bootsy Collins, Herbie Hancock, Was Not Was, Bob James, Kem, and many more. In addition, Dave had a multi-year stint with Kid Rock, recording and touring. Don Was said about Dave: “He never plays licks for the sake of playing licks. He’s not trying to impress people with all he knows about music or about his dexterity over the instrument. It’s all about honest expressions.”

“Any music that I heard – and continue to hear – I can see myself playing it. It could be rock, jazz, R&B, whatever. I look for songs that have magic in them.” 

McMurray

Dave McMurray is a Blue Note artist. His third album for the label is entitled Grateful Deadication 2, his follow-up album to Grateful Deadication, a jazz interpretation of Grateful Dead compositions.