Alan Gilman Music

So Many Roads Music has been a passion for me from my earliest childhood memories. My father was an accomplished jazz pianist who was a great source for my learning to read music and taking up the piano at the age of 4. My classical piano lessons at the Julliard School of Music soon afterwards were inspiring to learn about musical composition but short-lived upon my discovery of the more contemporary genres. With taking up playing guitar as a teenager interested in forming 'garage band' versions of the popular acts of the 70s, I made good use of my first electric guitar - a Hagstrom III. It was during college when I was first introduced to the music of the Grateful Dead and found myself playing in a band, in upstate New York, that primarily covered oddly both 'The Beatles' and the 'Dead'. Once I found myself with a 'day job' paycheck, I began to upgrade my equipment to pursue what inevitably would become a 'lifetime hobby' of obtaining that 'magical sound' that made Jerry Garcia's playing so enjoyable to listen to. My large Grateful Dead CD and tape collections from over the years were a valuable tool by which I could learn the playing techniques and expression that came from Garcia's hands. I have a very good ear for tone, with perfect pitch, which comes in handy for determining what position on the fretboard the notes are coming from. A lot has changed over the 27 years played with Tampa Bay-based 'Uncle John's Band'. With over '1000' shows at Skipper's Smokehouse, I am thankful for the incredible number of new friends, 'down in Florida for a week' acquaintances and musician relationships that have given me special memories. Currently, I remain busy in the music circuit, touring with 'Rainbow Full of Sound' and it's 'DeadZep' complement (Grateful Dead intertwined with Led Zeppelin), and most recently sharing the 'Jerry Garcia' element with several very accomplished musicians in the St. Petersburg, Florida area in an exciting and new GD tribute - 'Morning Dew'. I am also laying the foundation for an avenue to join musicians that have never played together but want to experiment with spontaneous renditions of the Grateful Dead catalog. The project goes by 'Garcia Sundae' and its maiden adventure delivered some unexpected sweet delight to our guests. I'm not sure if I will find the time to write music which is on my to-do list with some incomplete 'works' in progress - that's one road that has the 'detour' sign for now with 'So Many Roads' to ease my soul....