Jazz is Dead in Los Angeles

Jazz Is Dead is an American jazz-rock ensemble established in 1998 to reinterpret the music of the Grateful Dead through instrumental improvisation. Its early lineup featured bassist Alphonso Johnson, keyboardist T Lavitz, guitarist Jimmy Herring and drummer Billy Cobham, and its recordings include Blue Light Rain and Laughing Water. The original quartet toured in 1998, bringing its extended arrangements of Grateful Dead songs to concert stages. The 25th Anniversary Tour revived the project in 2023, pairing Johnson with guitarists Steve Kimock and Bobby Lee Rodgers and drummer Pete Lavezzoli.

Kassa Overall is an American drummer, rapper and producer from Seattle whose music places jazz improvisation inside hip-hop rhythms and electronic production. His solo albums include Go Get Ice Cream and Listen to Jazz, I Think I’m Good and Animals. Before releasing music under his own name, he performed as a drummer in ensembles led by Geri Allen and Jon Batiste. He later began leading his own band from the drum kit while also rapping and using electronics; in 2023, he presented material from Animals at NPR’s Tiny Desk.