A multigenerational lineup of New Orleans music legends and Grateful Dead disciples including members of The Meters, moe., The Disco Biscuits, Dumpstaphunk, Trey Anastasio Band, RatDog, and more will meet up in the Big Easy during Jazz Fest 2025 to celebrate the legacy of bassist Phil Lesh, who passed away last fall at age 84. The one-night-only event, billed as A Dream We Dreamed: A New Orleans Tribute to Phil Lesh, is set to take place at the historic Joy Theater on Thursday, May 1st as the second weekend of Live For Live Music’s 2025 Fest by Nite series gets underway [get tickets].

If you can’t make it in person, you can watch a livestream of the show via nugs here.

Led by guitarist, vocalist, and music director Ross James, a veteran member of Lesh’s various post-Grateful Dead projects, A Dream We Dreamed will present a lineup of familiar faces (in an empty window pane) with differing sounds, styles, and stories who all shared the experience of being impacted by—and, in many cases, incorporated into—the pioneering work of Phil Lesh.

Related: Remembering The Time The Grateful Dead Were “Busted Down On Bourbon Street” In 1970

The roster for the evening includes Jay Lane, the decorated drummer known for his work in Dead-adjacent projects like Dead & Company, RatDog, Wolf Bros, and more; Aron Magner, the keyboardist for The Disco Biscuits and Billy & The Kids; Eric Krasno, the acclaimed guitarist known for his work with Soulive and countless other acts; George Porter Jr., the bassist for foundational New Orleans funk group The Meters; Ivan Neville, the keyboardist and vocalist for torch-bearing NOLA funk act Dumpstaphunk; Jennifer Hartswick, the powerhouse trumpet player and vocalist of Trey Anastasio Band fame and Phil & Friends pedigree; Duane Betts, the guitarist helping keep the flame of his father’s iconic Allman Brothers Band alive; Karina Rykman, the ever-rising bassist and frontwoman; Nicki Bluhm, the California singer-songwriter and frequent Phil & Friends guest; and three members of beloved jam-rock outfit moe.—guitarist Al Schnier, bassist Rob Derhak, and drummer Vinnie Amico.

“Getting to be a part of Phil’s musical family was one of the most beautiful and transformative phases of my life,” Ross James told Live For Live Music ahead of A Dream We Dreamed: A New Orleans Tribute to Phil Lesh. “He did so much for so many younger musicians and forged countless connections through his music. It’s truly an honor to bring this incredible group of players together in New Orleans to celebrate all that Phil gave us.”

Related: Grateful Dead Retrospective: 10 Of Our Favorite Phil Lesh Moments From 30 Years Of Dead Shows [Audio]

Pre-sale tickets for A Dream We Dreamed: A New Orleans Tribute to Phil Lesh at The Joy Theater on Thursday, May 1st, 2025 during Jazz Fest are now available here using the code PHILZONE. Remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning on Thursday, February 27th at noon CT / 1:00 p.m. ET here. Scroll down for complete show details.

A Dream We Dreamed: A New Orleans Tribute to Phil Lesh is part of Live For Live Music and GMP Live’s Fest by Nite series in New Orleans during Jazz Fest. Confirmed 2025 events include:

***SHOW INFO***
Show: A Dream We Dreamed: A New Orleans Tribute to Phil Lesh
Band Lineup (in alphabetical order): Vinnie Amico (drums; moe.), Duane Betts (guitar; The Allman Betts Band), Nicki Bluhm (vocals; Phil & Friends), Rob Derhak (bass, vocals; moe.), Jennifer Hartswick (trumpet, vocals; Trey Anastasio Band), Eric Krasno (guitar; Soulive), Ross James (guitar, vocals, music director; Phil & Friends, The Terrapin Family Band), Jay Lane (drums; Dead & Company, Primus, RatDog, Wolf Bros), Aron Magner (keys; The Disco Biscuits, Billy & The Kids), Ivan Neville (keys, vocals; Dumpstaphunk), George Porter Jr. (bass; The Meters), Karina Rykman (bass), Al Schnier (guitar, moe.)
Presented by: Live For Live Music, GMP Live, Dayglo Presents, & Purple Hat Productions
Date: Thursday, May 1st, 2025
Venue: The Joy Theater | 1200 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA
Time: Doors: 8:00 p.m. / Show: 8:30 p.m.
Tickets: Pre-sale now available here using code PHILZONE. General on-sale begins Thursday, February 27th here.

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