Things heating up at the Peak

Melvin Seals and JGB will bring their intuitive, expressive style, soul, and spontaneity to Penn's Peak in Jim Thorpe at 8 p.m. Feb. 27.

Seals has been a powerful presence in the music industry for over 30 years with a long-established reputation as a performer, recording artist and producer. He is most revered for his powerful, high-spirited, Hammond B-3 organ and keyboards in the Jerry Garcia Band for 18 years.

In doing so he helped pioneer and define what has now become "Jam Band Music."

From blues to funk to rock to jazz, Seals serves up a tasty mix with a little R&B and gospel thrown in to spice things up.

Be prepared for the acoustic and electric ingredients and unique combinations of Dave Hebert's guitar and vocals, Pete Lavezzoli's hearty drums and, of course, a heapin' helpin' of the wizard's magic on Hammond B-3 Organ and keyboards. Along with backing vocals from Shirley Starks and Cheryl Rucker, and bass from John-Paul McLean, the result is a most satisfying blend of natural organic grooves that challenges genre boundaries.

The chemistry is the focus from which they create a spontaneous and high art where the sky is the limit musically. They offer an exciting, often psychedelic musical journey that changes nightly and keeps the audience dancing and smiling (and some staring in amazement) for hours.

In addition to the often played staples, the band has recently been exploring the back catalog and performing a ton of super rare tunes, some of which the Jerry Garcia Band played only a few times over all those years.

Adding his rock-gospel-soul-rhythm and blues touch with his funky style of playing, no wonder Garcia nicknamed Seals "Master of the Universe." Come see and hear for yourself.

Next month it's Warren Haynes

Grammy Award winning artist Warren Haynes and The Ashes & Dust Band will take the Penn's Peak stage at 8 p.m. March 3.

Haynes has been recognized as a cornerstone of the American music landscape and revered as one of the finest guitar players in the world. Throughout his prolific career as part of three of the greatest live groups in rock history - Allman Brothers Band, Gov't Mule and The Dead - his virtuosic artistry has led to thousands of unforgettable performances and millions of album and track sales.

Despite all of the ground that Haynes has covered on his musical journey, the impressive thing is that he still has many miles to explore. On his newest solo endeavor, "Ashes and Dust," he puts forth one of his most gorgeous, musically rich and personal albums to date. It is endlessly exciting to see one of the most brilliant minds in modern music shine an entirely new light on the depths of his creativity.

"I've been writing songs all my life from a more folky, singer-songwriter, even Celtic direction," he says.

"For a while, I've been compiling songs that didn't necessarily fit in with Gov't Mule or the Allman Brothers or even my last solo album. So this record was really a chance to bring a lot of that music to fruition. It's really given me the opportunity to take a lot of songs I love, that didn't have a home, and build a home for them."

Also at Penn's Peak

• 7:30 p.m., Feb. 11, Umphrey's McGee with Tauk

• 8 p.m., Feb. 13, Dancin' & Desserts with The Avalons

• 8 p.m., Feb. 27, Melvin Seals & JGB

• 8 p.m., March 5, Bruce in the USA

• 8 p.m., March 11, Pink Floyd Experience

• 8 p.m., March 12, Lotus Land - American Rush Tribute

• 8 p.m., March 19, Ryan Pelton

• 8 p.m., April 8, Ronnie Spector sings the Fabulous Ronettes

• 8 p.m., April 15, Paul Revere's Raiders

• 8 p.m., April 16, Buddy Guy and Jimmie Vaughan with the Tilt-a-Whirl Band

Tickets for all concerts are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Penn's Peak Box Office and Roadies Restaurant and Bar.

For more information on Penn's Peak, go to www.pennspeak.com or call 866-605-7325.