Meet Greg Solomon of the Sound Shore’s ‘Grateful Dead’

On a quiet Wednesday night in Port Chester dozens of Deadheads milled around the front of Garcia’s bar and music venue anxious for the show to start. It was not during the nine-night Furthur run that brought thousands of hippies from across the country to The Capitol Theatre.

On this Wednesday night, the fans were there to see the Stella Blues Band, a group of seven local men who are dedicated to recreating the experience of being at a Grateful Dead show.

Each musician became “hooked” on Dead music as teenagers, most from going to their first live show. Decades later and they are grateful for the opportunity to be creating live shows of their own at Westchester and Connecticut area venues.

 By day the band members are working in finance, on CNBC or in music therapy, but on show nights, the collective group is dedicated to the poetic lyrics, the chance to improve, the thrill of performing live and the passionate fan base. 

The group was founded in 2009 with five original members and has grown into seven today.

The band consists of Bill Bonacci, a New Rochelle resident who sings and plays lead guitar; Steve Liesman, a Pelham resident who sings and plays rhythm guitar; Greg Solomon, a Greenwich resident who plays bass; Ken Aigen, a Hastings resident who plays keyboards; Marc Loponte, a Rye resident who sings; Chuck Black, a Rye resident on the drums and JP Geoghegan, also on the drums.

During their recent residency at Garcia’s the group attracted hundreds of music lovers and true Deadheads who knew the lyrics as well as the band. They have about a 100-song repertoire and strive to avoid repeat songs. During their last night at Garcia’s the fans picked the songs.

Patch stopped in early on their final night at Garcia’s to ask the band members a few questions about their time at the venue, what attracted them to Grateful Dead music; and how they balance family, work and shows. We also made them each pick their favorite Dead song.

This is the sixth in a series of Q&As with each band member.

Name: Greg Solomon

Age: 45

Instrument: Bass

Occupation: Finance

Town: Greenwich, Ct.

How has your residency been at Garcia’s?

It has been phenomenal. I saw a show at The Cap last year and saw they were building out the bar. I told my wife it would be great for SBB to have a show here. I like the history of the room and the fact it is christened by the Garcia’s. I like the

old pictures of Jerry.

How did you get into the Grateful Dead?

I picked up the guitar around age 13 being a huge rock fan, and soon a huge blues fan (growing up in Chicago). My parents had a couple of Dead albums that were at my disposal (Europe '72 and Garcia), but it wasn't until seeing them live in 1986 at alpine valley that I was hooked. I moved to NYC in 1995 for my career in investing, and switched to playing bass in various cover and original bands in Manhattan. It wasn't until I moved to Connecticut in 2008 with my new wife that I was committed to finding musical friends that were into the dead. It didn't take long before all the pieces were in place.

What do you like about Dead music?

Greg explained that he appreciates the dedicated fan base and describes the music as a southern rock, grass approach with a jazz mentality.

What does your family think of it?

They tolerate it. My wife realizes if it wasn’t this it would be something else. (Greg said he has two young children to whom he sings Greg has two kids and he sings Monkey and the Engineer.

How do you balance work, personal life with the band?

We have a rule that we only gig two times per month and only on weekends. The rule is often broken as the case with playing every Wednesday in June at Garcia's.

What is your favorite Dead Song?

Sugar Magnolia

Stella Blue’s Band upcoming shows:

Saturday, June 29, Stella Blue’s Bar, New Haven, Ct., 9 p.m., $5

Saturday, July 20, Uncle Henry’s, Harrison, NY, 9 p.m. $5

Friday, August 2, Monster B’s, Stamford, Ct., 9 p.m., $5

Thursday, Sept. 12, Sullivan Hall, NY,NY, 9 p.m., $10 in advance, $12 at the door

Check them out at Facebook.com/stellabluesband and stellabluesband.net