Beloved jazz-fusion outfit Garaj Mahal will play their first shows in the United States in seven years. The group—comprised of Fareed Haque (guitar), Kai Eckhardt (bass), Alan Hertz (drums), and Eric Levy (keys)—reunited for a set at Canada’s Element Music Festival last summer, but now they’ve decided to bring the fun to Colorado.
According to a Facebook post from Eckhardt, Garaj Mahal will take the stage May 10th, 11th, and 12th, though no details regarding the venue or venues have been released. Eckhardt’s full post reads:
A Garaj Mahal reunion was the most unlikely thing until we unexpectedly received a generous offer from our Canadian fan base last year. After serious negotiations against all odds, Garaj Mahal took to the stage in Canada last summer.
To our surprise everyone was in great musical shape thanks to all of us diversifying our musical background with many projects, both national and international while on hiatus.
Playing our first series of concerts in the United States was made possible again by our fan base and promoters in Colorado who kept the flame alive. I was apprehensive about a comeback after almost 8 years until I realized that our live concerts on archive.org had received 1.5 million downloads. We are thankful to all of our fans for keeping the music going strong and for making us put aside our differences to bring the Garaj Mahal funk back to the stage in 2018. We look forward to seeing you all again May 10, 11 and 12 in Colorado!
The doors of the Garaj have re-opened and together we shall “ride it to the top!”
Much love and respect to all of you,
-Kai Eckhardt
Enjoy this video of Garaj Mahal playing “Witch Doctor” at Mystic Hot Springs:
[H/T – Jambands.com]