Todd Lena - lead guitar & vocals

Todd began taking bass and guitar lessons at age eleven, and sang his first Dead tunes with the group "L & L Railroad" in Lexington, MA. By eighteen, Todd had jammed with nearly everyone in town at church halls, at "Rock for Hunger" and at graduation parties. Soon after, Todd joined a jazz & pop ensemble at the Berklee College of Music. Then from 1990 - 1991, Todd performed live music out in the Quad for the Free Speech crowd while attending Boston University.

In 1995, Todd re-connected with his BU band mate, Bassam Habbal, and formed the GD tribute "Electric Hummus" which began outside in Harvard Square and then grew on through O'Brien's Pub in Allston, and on through the Boston brew houses and then to the college scene in around New England. While with Electric Hummus, Todd was grateful to have also jammed with Larry Mancini, Scott Kenton and Mark Munzer at clubs like "The Attic", "Harper's Ferry" and "Great Scott's".

Later in 2004, Todd re-connected with his friend and crowd-master, Charlie Norman. Todd and Charlie soon went to a local club where "The Knot" was performing, and approached the jam-band hero, Mark Munzer, and that's how we now have today... "Dead Jam - Boston's Answer to the Grateful Dead".

Todd plays a modified Fender Stratocaster with the same schematics as the "Tiger" guitar played by the late Jerry Garcia. The Fender Twin is his amp of choice. Todd's range of musical interests include a variety from funk, soul, folk, club, bluegrass, soundscapes, reggae, standards, golden oldies, classic rock, top 40, arena rock, classical and jam-band.
 

Mark Munzer - keyboards & vocals

Mark Mark is a 40 year old keyboardist/singer/songwriter hailing from New York City. Initially self taught, he went on to study piano with David Frank and T Lavitz. Mark joined the Knot in 1987 for a short stint and then played with the local Boston bands Smaug and Red Rubber Ball. He rejoined The Knot in 1991 and has been playing with them ever since.

He has also sat in at gigs with artists such as Dark Star Orchestra, Merle Saunders and Strangefolk. Mark has written many original songs that he performs with The Knot. He has also collaborated on songwriting with former Knot drummers Jeremy Esposito and Jeff “Tree” Riley (lyrics).


Mark continuously enjoys a wide variety of music from rock, folk, and pop to jazz and classical. Although Mark’s musical influences come from people and musicians in all walks of life, his very favorite keyboardists include: Chuck Leavell, Brent Mydland, Bill Payne, Steve Winwood, Billy Preston Bruce Hornsby, Dr. John, Elton John, Billy Joel, Art Neville, Billy Powell, Lyle Mays, Keith Jarrett, Oscar Peterson, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

As for equipment, Mark currently plays a Roland RD-500 keyboard with various sound and effect modules including a Nord Electro, Korg M1 Synth Module, Lexicon Alex Effects and Alesis Reverb. He uses a Motion Sound KBR-M Amp that has a rotating horn for recreating the leslie speaker effect on Hammond patches.
Mark can be reached via email at mark.munzer@comcast.net.

Charlie Norman - crowd master

With a gift to both inspire and charm, Charlie Norman has maintained as a most valuable player from the inception of Dead Jam back in 2004 to the present. Charlie's leadership has been instrumental in helping to keep the show rolling, and to his credit, we now have large numbers of happy Dead Jam fans in the greater Boston communities.

Charlie first heard Todd play back in the mid 1990's when Electric Hummus used to play at Harper's Ferry. Soon after, Charlie got some great ink in the Boston Globe as a popular Boston area music fan and mentioned Todd's old band... a kind connection.

Charlie also is keen on keeping up relationships with area musicians and fans around the region. He moves through the crowd at clubs and festivals like a public figure, both exchanging high-fives and hugs.

Both Mark and Todd are grateful to have played at Charlie's birthday for both 2005 and 2006.

Franny Gallagher - harp

A 'grate' man to have on board at any show, Franny has played harp with Dead Jam on a few occasions. Franny has appeared on Dead Jam videos from the Attic twice in the Fall of 2006 and also played at the Regent Theatre in Feb, 2007.

Over the years, Franny has jammed and performed with several area musicians at pubs and clubs in Boston, in New Hampshire and in NY. His most recent gig was with Eternity. Since meeting Todd in the Summer of 2006, Franny has shared his time off the stage by helping Dead Jam to promote shows over the online communities.

Always ready to go to Ratdog or Phil show near by, Franny is currently forming his new group which will be playing out soon.



 

Michael Kalish - digital media

Michael has experience working on location with both Govt. Mule and Ratdog among others. Michael is also keen on improving his craft at every show by acquiring the best cameras for both video and live-action photography.  Away from the clubs, he is an accomplished Web Designer and media specialist and is making his mark with his own company called Generation Productions. 

Michael has been an invaluable player to the success of Dead Jam, and both Mark and Todd are very grateful to have found him.

Look for Michael to make his way to the top because he has bright dreams, terrific talent, and a super work ethic. Today, Michael continues to avail himself to some very cool live music productions in the greater Boston area.

Larry Mancini - guitar & vocals

Over the years, Larry has written and played several rockin' originals with Ol' Brown shoe, with The Knot and he's also successfully produced CD's of musical performances with several of Boston's finest musicians.

Dead Jam played at Larry's 50th birthday party in November of 2006 at the Attic Bar at Union Street in Newton, MA. Both Mark and Todd were grateful to have Larry play along with other members of Larry's band, Ol' Brown Shoe.

Larry also played with Electric Hummus with Todd back in the 1990's.  You can see Larry play with Dead Jam on DVD courtesy of Michael Kalish.

When not working, Larry is usually busy getting ready for the next music project at his home studio.

Jack Howard - drums

On stage, Jack is a tremendous drummer while keeping the beat. Because of his years back in the day playing with The Knot, and today with Ol' Brown Shoe, Jack has a great feel for the music of the Grateful Dead.

When we needed a drummer back in the Summer of 2006, Mark contacted Jack and since he's been on board as our first drummer.

See and hear Jack perform with Dead Jam on our live audio and video collection here on our downloads page.

Dan Sullivan - guitar & vocals

We were lucky to find Dan's phone number back in the Spring of 2005 and we were psyched that he was up for playin' some live Dead.

Dan is the man.

Before Dead Jam, Dan played with:
"Laughing Water" &
"Intrepid Groove"

Check out Dan's new band as of Spring 2008... Fennario






 

John "Dr. Bottom" Brigham - bass

Brian Girard - bass
 

Jeremy Esposito - drums

Mike Zecco - drums
 

Jimbo Harris - guitar & vocals

Scott Kenton - bass
 

Chris Chitouras - bass

Ken Selcer - guitar
 

Jeff Larson - guitar & vocals

Vic DeRobertis - guitar & vocals
 

Ethan Drew - sound engineer

Roger Merritt - sound engineer
 

Ben - best fan 2006

Perry Seigle - guitar

Perry has spent the last eight years playing with the Knot, and ten years prior to that with his own R&B Rock band, The GTS.

Perry is a great second guitar and not bad vocalist either. Likes to sing the cowboy tunes. Look for Perry to play with Todd and Mark as Dead Jam returns to the stage soon.