Like a Rose – Reviving the Soul of Jerry Garcia’s Music
Emerging from the vibrant Bay Area music scene, Like a Rose is a tribute band dedicated to the soulful and spiritual music of the Jerry Garcia Band, focusing on the transformative years from 1985 to 1995. Formed in 2019, the band delivers uplifting harmonies and intense instrumental interplay, capturing the essence of Garcia’s legacy. With a commitment to honoring the spirit of the Jerry Garcia Band, Like a Rose delivers an unforgettable live experience, full of heart, soul, and the musical magic that fans of Jerry Garcia’s legacy know and love.
Band Members:
Jay Wilcox – A devoted aficionado of the Jerry Garcia Band, Jay’s profound appreciation for the music’s traditional charm stems from a deep-rooted love for the gospel-inspired era of 1985-1995. His enduring connection with the melodies and ethos of Jerry Garcia’s legacy brings an authentic and cherished dimension to the group’s performances.
Cheryl Rucker – A distinguished vocalist renowned for her collaboration with Melvin Seals and JGB, Cheryl’s soulful, commanding voice is a signature to the sound of Like a Rose.
Stephanie Hartwell-Mandella – An accomplished vocalist who’s sultry voice has been heard with legends like Melvin Seals & Tony Saunders, Stephanie adds a layer of enchantment to the band’s harmonious tapestry.
Burt Zenobious Lewis – A seasoned bassist previously with Jerry’s Middle Finger (JMF), Lewis’s expertise and experience enhances Like a Rose’s tribute to this cherished era of Jerry Garcia Band.
Jeffrey Quigley – On the Hammond B3 organ, Jeffrey adds a warm and enriching layer of soulful tones that resonate deeply with the classic Jerry Garcia Band sound.
Anna Elva – A skillful and intuitive drummer, Anna stands at the rhythmic heart of Like a Rose. Her dynamic contributions mirror the spirit of the Jerry Garcia Band’s legacy, propelling the group’s sonic journey with precision and passion.
Spencer Krenz is a 21 year old guitarist based in Mill Valley growing up and just a stone throw from Sweetwater. His father heavily influencing him with The Grateful Dead growing up took to the music and formed a grateful dead cover band in high school, as well as worked at the Sweetwater. Over the years he’s been influenced by his guitar teacher James Harmon, a jazz guitarist who taught him at Tamalpais High School, as well as the California Bluegrass scene more recently.
Growing up in the local Grateful Dead music scene, he’s played with artists such as Scott Guberman, Anna Elva, Alex Jordan, Grahame Lesh, and Bella Rayne, most prominently at the Ashkenaz near where he lives studying in his last year at UC Berkeley. He brings these influences together in a bluegrass instrumentation to play the music of Jerry Garcia and David Grisman as well as some original music.
He is joined by two time Grammy Award Winner and Violinist in Bob Weir and the Wolf Bros Mads Tolling. Jasper Manning whom Spencer goes to Cal with and is an incredible mandolin player. His Father Chad Manning, founder of Manning Music and fiddle player in the David Grisman Sextet, has heavily influenced Jasper’s music influence and sound being steeped in the bluegrass tradition from a young age. He plays regularly in his family band Charlie Torch as well as Blue Birds on a Wire. Lydia Cooley who is an incredible vocalist living in Chico with a Grateful Dead influence, and Timmy who is a seasoned jazz upright bassist and teacher at Marin Academy.
