Merl Saunders facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Merl Saunders
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Merl Saunders & Jerry Garcia. Photo by Annie Leibovitz, for Live at Keystone album
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Merl Washington |
| Born | February 14, 1934 San Mateo, California, U.S. |
| Died | October 24, 2008 (aged 74) San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Instruments | Hammond organ, piano |
| Years active | 1960s–2006 |
| Associated acts | Dinosaurs, Legion of Mary, Saunders/Garcia Band, Rainforest Band, Jerry Garcia, Muruga Booker, Tony Saunders |
Merl Saunders (born February 14, 1934 – died October 24, 2008) was an American musician. He was known for playing the piano and keyboards. His favorite instrument was the Hammond B-3 organ. Merl played many types of music, like jazz, funk, and rock.
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Merl Saunders' Life and Music
Merl Saunders was born in San Mateo, California. He went to Polytechnic High School in San Francisco. There, he played in his first band with singer Johnny Mathis. Merl also served in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1957. Later, he became a music director for shows like the Billy Williams Revue.
Playing with Jerry Garcia
Merl became well-known in the 1970s. This was when he started playing with Jerry Garcia. Jerry Garcia was a famous guitarist from the band Grateful Dead. They began playing together in 1971 at a small club in San Francisco. Merl sometimes played with the Grateful Dead. He also helped start the Saunders/Garcia Band. This band made three albums. Later, it became the Legion of Mary in 1974. Even after that band ended, Merl and Jerry kept playing music together.
Other Collaborations and Projects
Merl Saunders also led his own band called Merl Saunders and Friends. They played live shows with many other musicians. These included Mike Bloomfield, David Grisman, and Sheila E.. He even helped Jerry Garcia learn to play guitar again after Jerry was very sick in 1986.
In 1990, Merl released a special album called Blues From the Rainforest. It mixed world music and New Age styles. This album was made with Jerry Garcia and Muruga Booker. It led to a video about Merl's trip to the Amazon. He also released other albums like Fiesta Amazonica and Save the Planet so We'll Have Someplace to Boogie. One of his songs was even used on the TV show Baywatch. Merl continued to play with his Rainforest Band for ten more years.
Merl worked with many other famous musicians. These included Bonnie Raitt, Phish, Miles Davis, and B. B. King. He also recorded with the Dinosaurs. This was a "supergroup" of rock musicians from the San Francisco Bay Area.
Music for TV and Movies
Merl Saunders had his own record label called Sumertone Records. He also recorded music for other labels. He worked with the Grateful Dead on the theme music for the 1985 TV show The New Twilight Zone. He was the music director for 2.5 seasons of that show. Merl also worked on the TV series Nash Bridges. He helped create music for movies like Fritz the Cat and Steelyard Blues. He even helped coordinate the Grammy Awards TV specials for two years.
Helping Others
Merl Saunders cared about helping people. He worked with many groups like the Seva Foundation and the Rainforest Action Network. He also supported the Haight-Ashbury Free Clinic. He performed at the Haight Street Music Fair for 24 years in a row. He even received a special music degree from Unity College.
Later Life and Legacy
In 2002, Merl Saunders had a stroke. This made it hard for him to play music. He passed away in San Francisco on October 24, 2008. He was 74 years old. He was survived by his two sons, Tony Saunders (bassist) and Merl Saunders Jr., and his daughter Susan Mora. After he passed, there was a friendly agreement about music earnings from a 2004 album.
Tributes to Merl Saunders
- On February 14, 2009, a special event honored Merl Saunders' life. It was held at the Great American Music Hall. Many musicians who played with Merl performed. These included Bob Weir from the Grateful Dead, Tony Saunders, and David Grisman.
- The Rainforest Band, Merl's group, started playing again in 2009 as a tribute to him. His son Tony Saunders and other band members performed.
Merl Saunders' Music and Film Work
Merl Saunders released many albums throughout his career. He also contributed to the soundtracks of several movies and TV shows.
Movies and DVDs
- Fritz the Cat (1972)
- Black Girl (1972)
- Heavy Traffic (1973)
- Steelyard Blues (1973)
- Headcandy: Sidney's Psychedelic Adventure (1997)
- Blues from the Rainforest: A Musical Suite (1999)
Television Shows
- The New Twilight Zone (1985–1989) - Music Performer & Musical Director
- Nash Bridges
- Tales From The Crypt
- Baywatch
- Simon and Simon
