Grateful Dead, Merle Saunders

Biography

Merl Saunders (1934-2008) was born in San Mateo, California, and began playing piano at a young age, performing at San Francisco rec center dances by junior high. After serving in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1957, he launched his professional career in show bands and jazz groups, working as musical director for the Billy Williams Revue and Oscar Brown Jr.'s Big Time Buck White, and performing with artists like Dinah Washington, Lionel Hampton, and B.B. King. A disciple of Hammond B3 organ masters Jimmy Smith and Jack McDuff, Saunders spent years on the road with an organ trio, did session work in New York City, played commercials, and conducted at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas before returning to the Bay Area.[1][2][3][5]

In the late 1960s, Saunders connected with the San Francisco music scene, meeting Jerry Garcia through bassist John Kahn at Wally Heider Studios while recording with singer Danny Cox. Their collaboration ignited in 1971, forming the Garcia/Saunders band and later Legion of Mary (1974-1975), blending jazz, rock, and Latin flavors in danceable jams at Bay Area clubs and national tours, with members like Kahn, Bill Vitt, Martin Fierro, and Ron Tutt. Garcia credited Saunders with teaching him harmonic sophistication, standards, bebop, and musical structure beyond rock. They reunited for projects like Saunders' group Reconstruction (1979, with Garcia), The New Twilight Zone soundtrack (1985, with Grateful Dead), and Blues from the Rainforest (1990).[1][2][3][4]

Saunders' versatile legacy spans jamband culture, guest spots with Phish and Widespread Panic, and film/TV soundtracks like Fritz the Cat. After a stroke over six years prior, he died on October 24, 2008, from complications, remaining a beloved Bay Area figure.[2][3]

Fun Facts

• After Jerry Garcia's 1986 diabetic coma scrambled his musical skills, Saunders sat by his side, patiently re-teaching him fundamentals to rebuild his abilities.
• Saunders once filled in for Vince Guaraldi at The Trident club and later served as musical director for the San Francisco production of Big Time Buck White starring Muhammad Ali.
• He worked as a postman in San Francisco in the early 1960s while pursuing music.
• Saunders guested at shows by jam bands like Phish, Widespread Panic, and Blues Traveler.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Jimmy Smith - stylistic influence as Hammond B3 organ master (general jazz organ style) [1950s-1960s]
• Jack McDuff - stylistic influence as Hammond B3 organ master (general jazz organ style) [1950s-1960s]

Key Collaborators

• Jerry Garcia - key musical partner in side projects away from Grateful Dead (Garcia/Saunders band, Legion of Mary, Reconstruction, Blues from the Rainforest, New Twilight Zone) [1971-1990]
• John Kahn - bassist in core Garcia/Saunders groups (Garcia/Saunders band, Legion of Mary) [1971-1975]
• Bill Vitt - drummer in early collaborations (Garcia/Saunders band, Danny Cox album) [early 1970s]
• Martin Fierro - saxophonist adding jazz/Latin elements (Legion of Mary) [1974-1975]
• Grateful Dead - composed music for TV series (New Twilight Zone soundtrack) [1985]
• Robert Hunter - bandmate in group (Dinosaurs) [1970s-1980s]

Artists Influenced

• Jerry Garcia - taught harmonic understanding, standards, bebop, and musical structure (improved Garcia's playing in Legion of Mary and beyond) [1971-1975, 1986]

External Links

• Spotify