On Thursday night, Soule Monde—the “avant funk” duo comprised of Trey Anastasio Band drummer Russ Lawton and keyboardist Ray Paczkowski—hit Symphony Space on New York City’s Upper West Side for an evening of “live music, drink specials, and easy-going revelry.” However, the party got considerably less easy-going and much more exciting when the band took the stage with their most notable longtime collaborator: Trey Anastasio himself.
Trey would go on to stick around the entire show, helping the duo through a number of songs off their various studio releases. The Trey Anastasio Band family guests didn’t stop at Trey, either. Over the course of the performance, percussionist Cyro Baptista and saxophonist James Casey both jumped into the fray.
Trey’s sit-in wasn’t entirely out of left field. Beyond his obvious connections to the Soule Monde members, Trey—an Upper West Side resident—has been known to come and join in when his various musical friends are playing in the area, from his extended sit-in with Tedeschi Trucks Band at The Beacon Theatre in 2017 to his 2018 appearance with Bob Weir and Phil Lesh at Radio City Music Hall to his surprise guest spot with Jennifer Hartswick, Nick Cassarino, and Christian McBride at the tiny Rockwood Music Hall late last year.
Below, you can watch a number of front row videos from Soule Monde’s Symphony Space performance with Trey, James, and Cyro courtesy of YouTube user LazyLightning55a.
Soule Monde w/ Trey Anastasio, James Casey, Cyro Baptista – “Influence”
Soule Monde w/ Trey Anastasio, James Casey, Cyro Bapista – “Bernard”
Soule Monde w/ Trey Anastasio – “Slide B”
For more information about Soul Monde, head to the band’s website.