Jelly Bread is rising.
The Reno quartet is booked solid for May and beyond, including two days at the High Sierra Music Festival.
“The summer has started for us,” said guitarist Dave Berry, adding if his band’s momentum continues and he “crosses my fingers, in another year or so we won’t have to run from the bill collectors.”
The next gig is headlining the Locals Showcase on Friday in the Crystal Bay Casino Crown Room. Drop Theory opens.
Jelly Bread is Berry, singer-drummer Cliff Porter, bassist Brady Carthen and keyboardist Eric Matlock, whose addition last year solidified the lineup. All four contribute to vocals in this funk band in the flavor of Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, which it will open for June 1 in the Crystal Bay Casino. When Berry plays his lap steel, the band rocks in the vein of Robert Randolph and the Family Band. Porter and his uncle Carthen grew up playing in church and gospel is a big influence.
The press has taken notice. “No Dress Code” was voted the Reno New & Review’s Best Album, and Lake Tahoe Action (remember those guys?) called Jelly Bread 2012 Band of the Year.
Moreover, being the only regional band invited to High Sierra is the best indicator of ascent.
One night after sharing a Eugene, Ore. stage with Bruce Hornsby and Railroad Earth, Jelly Bread will play the late night for .moe at High Sierra. Once the jam band scene takes notice of a band, great things are in the future. Just take a look at Jackie Greene.
Jelly Bread is one of three rising groups from Reno. The Mark Sexton Band last month sold out John Ascuaga’s Nugget for a CD release show during a 22-show tour. A week later Whitney Myer sang before more than 1,000 concertgoers in the Grand Sierra Resort in a show which features some of Reno’s best artists, including Jelly Bread.
Jelly Bread’s summer itinerary includes a handful of local shows, including June 19 at the Truckee River Amphitheater, July 1 in Reno’s Wingfield Park and Aug. 11 during the second day of Squaw Valley’s “Brews, Jazz and Funk.”
Locals Showcase
Bands: Jelly Bread, Drop Theory
Where: Crystal Bay Casino Crown Room
When: 9 p.m. Friday, May 10
Red Room after-party: Low Flying Birds
