There are supergroups, and then there is WRD. Comprised of keyboardist Robert Walter (The Greyboy Allstars, Mike Gordon, Roger Waters), guitarist Eddie Roberts (The New Mastersounds, The Lucky Strokes), and drummer Adam Deitch (Lettuce, Break Science), the instrumental trio is as captivating as it is elusive, but fans in Denver will have the rare treat of seeing WRD in action on Friday, January 17th as part of Denver Comes Alive at Cervantes’ [ticketing info].
Like the best friendships, WRD—named for the first initial of the three members’ last names—came together organically through a shared presence at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. In the early 2010s, the trio got together for some brief tours and remained an on-again, off-again rarity whenever the three road warriors crossed paths. When Roberts co-founded his Color Red record imprint/artist group/recording studio in 2018, WRD came together at Roberts’ studio in Denver to record what became the group’s 2021 debut, The Hit, tracking the entire 11-track album over two days in summer 2018 and winter 2019, respectively. The result is a celebration of vintage organ trios that combines Deitch’s unshakable pocket, Walter’s evocative organ, and Roberts’ maestro abilities on guitar to create something greater than the sum of its parts.
“I like it because I like lots of different kinds of music. It’s fun to have to think on your feet all the time,” Walter told the San Diego Troubadour of WRD in 2021. “Also, being around different musicians of different backgrounds you learn from them, even if you don’t like their style, you learn what you don’t want to play.”
WRD — The Hit [Full Album]
WRD will be right at home at Denver Comes Alive, an event inspired by the magic of New Orleans Jazz Fest after dark and filled with unique artist collaborations and one-off superjams. The 2025 Denver Comes Alive artist roster features more than 30 well-known musicians including members of The Meters, Dumpstaphunk, The String Cheese Incident, Soulive, Lettuce, Wilco, Galactic, The New Mastersounds, Circles Around The Sun, Big Gigantic, The Motet, and more.
Related: Denver Comes Alive 2025 Band Spotlight: Poppa Funk & The Night Tripper
In addition to WRD, night one will feature Poppa Funk & The Night Tripper, a tribute to NOLA legends Art Neville and Dr. John featuring George Porter Jr., Eric Krasno, Ivan Neville, Jon Cleary, and more; a supergroup of saxophonist Skerik (Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade), drummer Stanton Moore (Galactic), keyboardist Wil Blades, and guitarist Nels Cline (Wilco); Ross James & Goo Bros with Bill Nershi, Jeremy Salken, Adam MacDougall, and Garrett Sayers; and psychedelic soul pop trio Jimkata. On Saturday, January 18th, Denver Comes Alive will close with Crescent City Classic, a celebration of NOLA’s hidden gems and lesser-known heroes, featuring Porter, Krasno, Cleary, Hall, Ivan Neville, Ian Neville, and more; the Krasno/Moore Project; Worship My Organ with Skerik, Wil Blades, Robert Walter, and Adam Deitch; Joey Porter’s Vital Organ with Garrett Sayers, Matt Jalbert, and Jeff Franca; and TAUK drummer Isaac Sinclair‘s Wayback set of nostalgic soul.
Get a taste of live WRD via the video from Equifunk 2011 below, or check out the trio’s full set from Jam Cruise 11 here. Tickets are available here to see WRD at Denver Comes Alive (Friday, January 17th–Saturday, January 18th). Find details on each of the bands on the lineup here.
Below, check out the full artist lineup for Denver Comes Alive 2025 and scroll through the full gallery of DCA ’25 artist baseball cards.
WRD (Robert Walter, Eddie Roberts, Adam Deitch) – (Live, 2011)
[Video: Equifunk]
Denver Comes Alive 2025 Artists
George Porter Jr.
Eric Krasno
Ivan Neville
Jon Cleary
Tony Hall
Ian Neville
Deven Trusclair
Erica Falls
Alex Wasily
Nate Miller
Eric Benny Bloom
Skerik
Stanton Moore
Wil Blades
Nels Cline
Robert Walter
Eddie Roberts
Adam Deitch
Bill Nershi
Ross James
Jeremy Salken
Adam MacDougall
Garrett Sayers
Drew Sayers
Matt Jalbert
Jeff Franca
Joey Porter
Isaac Sinclair
Jimkata
