BIO
Born of a mutual love of JGB’s work, Carnival Parade is made up of four talented souls from the tri-state jamband scene. They combine a deep reverence for the music with a sense of humor and fun that will move you, whether you’re on the floor and dancing, or grooving in your seat.
COLIN TABER – guitar & vocals – brings a loving melodic touch and a deep musical understanding to the music of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead. “Jerry was on a relentless hunt for melody, and each performance was almost a musical science lab, a dissection of the tunes they chose to play on any given night. A song under 7 minutes is rare!” His country lovin’ rock n’ roll heart knows how to sing the blues, invoke a jazzy sensibility, or strike a touch of bluegrass and folk as well – perfect for this music. He currently plays in the Ripple Allstars, Dead Reckoning, The Jambaritos, and Friends of Friends as well other one-offs and guest spots whenever he can.
MARTIN SCHMID – keyboards & vocals – has a passion for playing all types of keyboards, including the piano, the Hammond B3 organ, various types of vintage keyboards, and synths. Martin is currently active with Memo, the Binky Griptite Orchestra, Will Leet and the NYC Cowboys, Strangers Stopping Strangers, and is also working on his own organ trio. He has had the pleasure to play with musical groups including Fred Thomas of the J.B.’s, Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens, Kate Pierson of the B-52s, Widely Grown, and many more.
SCOTT GIBSON – drums & vocals – “Jerry was my guy,” Scott says. “When the idea came up to put together a band that’s all about paying tribute to Jerry’s side projects, it immediately put a smile on my face.” A longtime Deadhead, Scott has spent over three decades immersed in Jerry’s music, performing in New York–based tribute projects before co-founding the Ripple Allstars to honor the spirit of the Grateful Dead. He brings joy, rhythm, and soul to every performance—and finds just as much happiness in the community that surrounds the music as in the music itself. As Jerry once said, “Always a hoot.” Scott wouldn’t have it any other way.
SAMUEL MANN – bass & vocals – Born to Tin Pan Alley roots, Samuel was immersed since birth in all forms of music. Son of Dave Mann, who wrote Sinatra’s “Wee Small Hours….”, and Norma Penny, artist and vocal instructor, he learned many instruments and began his performance history at the age of 12 in piano recitals. Guitar and bass soon followed. His main influences are Hank Williams, The Beatles, Steve Ward, Walter Page, Jayhawks, and of course Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead. A lifetime of bands and writing songs continues today. “I always loved that Jerry’s melodies were simultaneously perfectly suitable to a song, yet taking unexpected turns, crafting context from whole cloth on the fly, causing my perception to jerk around in spontaneous directions. It was his combination of unassuming panache and technical gall that is my model for seeking harmony in any combo.”