Before there was JRAD, or Furthur, or anything, there was simply the Benevento-Russo Duo, a partnership between keyboardist Marco Benevento and drummer Joe Russo that dates back to their days in elementary school. The duo was primarily active from 2001-2007, though Benevento and Russo are still very much involved in performing together to this day (with JRAD).
Marco Benevento And Joe Russo Had Strains Of Weed Named After Them
The duo reunited today at Mountain Jam, as Benevento was supposed to play a Mental Floss set that encouraged “freeform improvisation and songwriting.” Russo joined in, and the two played improvised to the intimate crowd that had assembled. There was a moment of James Booker’s “Junco Pardner” in the mix, but it quickly dissolved into loose improvisation for what was roughly a half hour long set.
The two will continue to perform today, as both are members of the famed Joe Russo’s Almost Dead ensemble that will be performing at 4:15 Eastern. The whole festival is being streamed on Tourpedo, so be sure to tune in if you want to check it out.