MEMBERS

Neil Levin is an independent Singer/Songwriter and Guitarist from Orange County, CA. He started playing music and performing from a young age, and in 2018 founded the jam band Counterconformity alongside the Skullwave Record label. Neil founded Grateful Jam in 2023 as a way to be able to jam on Dead songs with his favorite musicians, without having to start a formal band with them, the result became a one of a kind community event that transcends the confines of typical live music, creating multiple hours of non-stop music with a rotating cast. Today, The Grateful Jam family includes over 50 musicians and is constantly growing. Neil has become an unstoppable force in his music scene, releasing multiple solo albums featuring his self-pioneered genre, Cosmic Blues, and when he isn't at Grateful Jam, he's touring with his band. Neil is currently obtaining his MA in Music from Berklee, where he previously completed his BA. Check him out at www.neillevin.co  Instagram: @neillevin 

Matt Janke is a guitarist and vocalist known for his free and fun approach to jam, funk, groove, psychedelic rock, and neo-jam. As a founding member of Big Tomato and a core player in the rotating ensemble Grateful Jam, he blends tight rhythm work with improvisational flair, crafting sets that weave together original material and bold reinterpretations of classic tunes. Whether he's leading with soulful riffs or locking into a deep pocket, Matt brings a sense of spontaneity and connection to every performance. As the official Archivist for Grateful Jam, Matt is the reason everyone can enjoy Live Recordings of select shows. Find his band’s original music on Instagram: @bigtomatomusic.

A native of Dana Point, CA. Baylor Mars is an in‐demand instrumentalist and producer whose groove-driven style blends improvisation with studio precision. Starting their music career alongside Neil Levin in the jam-band CounterConformity, he honed a live-performance sensibility that informs every track touched. Baylor holds a degree in Popular Music from Arizona State and brings both academic insight and street-tested chops to the Grateful Jam community. Instagram: @baylormarss 

Alan Levin, aside from being Neil's dad, is a musical pocketknife. He not only plays classic guitar driven songs from the 60's, 70's, and 80's on 6 and 12 string guitars, he is also a master keyboardist and bassist. He is a Professor of Music for Saddleback College Emeritus and he regularly performs alongside Neil as the acoustic western duo, Father Son Levin. Alan has been a professional musician for over 45 years. Check out his website at www.alanclevin.com

KC Annaloro is a multi-instrumentalist and lifelong Dead fan who brings rich tone, tight rhythm, and soulful harmony to Grateful Jam. Whether holding down the groove on bass, laying the foundation on rhythm guitar, or adding depth with backing vocals, KC plays with heart and intention. He also performs guitar in Neil Levin’s Cosmic Blues Band — also a fellow member of the T Street Zoo collective — where collaboration and improvisation take center stage. As the founder of the T Street Zoo Music Foundation, KC is passionate about supporting the next wave of musicians and fostering a creative community rooted in authenticity and expression. On stage or off, he’s always tuned into the magic of the moment. Instagram: @kc_annaloro 

Ryan’s musical journey began with a single guitar in 8th grade, sparking a lifelong love affair with music that ranges from Metallica’s thunder to Van Morrison’s soul, Bob Marley’s vibes, and the Grateful Dead’s improvisations. Over the decades, he has channeled this passion into playing bass, recently making music his full-time calling with Neil Levin and the Cosmic Blues, alongside gigging as a session bassist. A dedicated educator, Ryan founded the Rock Band program at J Serra High School, where he taught guitar and led the program for over five years, mentoring students who went on to form thriving bands. Now, he gives back by volunteering at The Noble Path, a youth program, offering free weekly guitar lessons to inspire the next generation with his eclectic taste and infectious enthusiasm. Instagram: @retphillips 

Emma always gravited towards art. These art forms include drawing, dance, and singing in the shower. However, the visual arts and taking paint to paper has stood the test of time and remains in Emma’s skill set. Mystical realms, psychedelic energies, and vibrant color choices are trademark to Emma’s designs that made being an artist for Grateful Jam a no brainer. A perfect pair united in art bringing people together and starting conversations. You can find Emma walking dogs during the day, but by night is deep in throws bringing new images to life and dancing the night away at Grateful Jam or the dance studio. You can see Emma's art on display on many of the posters for Grateful Jam. She is also the one behind Grateful Jam's unique logo, a melding of the Skullwave Records logo, with the iconic Grateful Dead Steely. Instagram: @emmafreemaann 

Ethan has been a musician since 2014 with deep roots in the Grateful Dead. He taught himself to play guitar, drums, and piano amongst his two brothers Blake and Sam when they won a guitar at a carnival for a birthday. Once he started playing, his grandpa taught him one single blues riff and he was on his way. Fun Fact: His grandpa grew up in San Francisco in the 60’s and his band, Something Wild, played a show with the Grateful Dead. Ethan releases original music under the name Princess Void, and is constantly pursuing the future of music while honoring the roots of the past. Instagram: @beyondchalant 

Born and raised in Southern California, James grew up hearing the music and stories of The Dead from family who attended shows in the 70s & 80s. Taking a fluid, jazz based approach to Grateful Jam, he enjoys taking new experiences with the collective every show. Whether comping on guitar, or backing singers as the resident horn player. Instagram:@949_james_f

Symeon Jordan is a fresh voice in the music scene, a rising vocalist from Orange County whose deep, distinctive bass tone sets him apart. Blending country, grunge, blues rock, and country rock, Symeon draws inspiration from legends like Johnny Cash, Eddie Vedder, and the Allman Brothers Band. With an associate degree in singing and a growing command of guitar and piano, he’s just beginning his journey into songwriting and performance. His music explores themes of love, individuality, and mental health, aiming to inspire listeners to spread happiness and stay true to themselves. After performing at the Grateful Jam, Symeon is experimenting with writing and dreams of forming a band to share his heartfelt message with a wider audience. Instagram: @symeonjordan 

Payam Shahidi is a musician based in Southern California. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays electric guitar, flamenco guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, spanish laúd, Persian instruments, Turkish oud, mandolin, and percussion. He has been playing music for over 20 years and his influences range across many genres, including: rock, flamenco, blues, metal, latin, jazz. Instagram: @payam.shahidi

Johny gordon is a creative Singer/Songwriter, from Orange County with a unique voice and stylish flow. Starting in the Hip-Hop scene, Johny inevitably made his way into the Rock and Roll scene, combining both genres into something modern, yet classic. Hoping to leave his ordinary 9-5 job behind, and make it as a full time ‘rockstar,’ Johny says… “if you rock on hard enough it will all pay off” Instagram: @johny_gordon 

Toddzilla brings bold, smoky trumpet lines to the Grateful Dead jam scene, blending decades of playing with the laid-back soul of beachside grooves. A comp player at heart, he weaves rhythm and depth into every set, drawing on his funk, ska, and reggae roots—including live gigs with WAR and The Untouchables. Raised musically in Laguna Beach alongside talents like Taylor Hawkins, Toddzilla plays to keep that fire alive. He’s all about keeping the open, collaborative spirit of the Dead alive—where players drift in and out, creating something new every time. For him, it’s a mellow way to stay creative and keep the music going. Instagram: @oczilla 

"Hello! My name is Amanda and I am a Southern California photographer and filmmaker! I really enjoy combining my love of live music and background in photo/video to help bands capture their shows through live performance photos as well as creating promotional and music videos." Amanda has been documenting Skullwave Records events, including Grateful Jam, since 2023. Instagram: @filmpanda16