Feast or famine seems to be the case in the Bluff City as far as music goes. In which case, this week is the Thanksgiving celebration of music. Three nationally touring, genre leading acts are making stops in Memphis. Garaj Mahal will start off the festivities Tuesday at the Hi Tone. Yonder Mountain String Band is playing the New Daisy on Thrusday, and Friday Gov’t Mule will close it out at the New Daisy.
Garaj Mahal has been blowing minds for the past five years with their jazz fusion rock n roll. I've been on the band wagon (no pun intended) for the past four years and have traveled to eight states to witness about twenty shows by this power quartet. While living in Boulder in 2001, I saw numerous advertisements for Garaj Mahal, but didn't pay much attention because I thought they were a punk band. Upon more careful inspection of the posters I realized that one of my favorite drummers was in the band. Alan Hertz was the H in Steve Kimock’s KVHW. Alan had more beats than Steve had guitar licks. Seeing Alan in the line up was enough to spark my interest. I walked in the show that night not knowing any of the other players, but left knowing that I would be seeing a lot more of those guys. Later I learned Fareed Haque teaches jazz and classical guitar at Northern Illinois University; Eric Levy, on keys, was one of his students. Kai Eckhardt, who graduated from with honors from Berkley College of Music, is definitely a respected bass player.

Garaj Mahal is not for the recreational music listener. Their odd time signatures, and complex arrangements are not easy to comprehend; however, the result is phenomenal music. This is something that you must see with your own eyes to fully understand. Tuesday night at the Hi Tone will be a great opportunity.
There will be more on Yonder Mountain String Band and Gov’t Mule posted very soon, so check back often.