Biography

Guitarist/singer/songwriter Michael Falzarano has been a working musician for the past 35 years, most notably in The New Riders of the Purple Sage, Hot Tuna, the famed offspring of The Jefferson Airplane, and The Memphis Pilgrims, a Memphis-style rock ‘n’ roll band which he founded.  

Falzarano is currently a member of The New Riders of the Purple Sage, a spin-off of the Grateful Dead, which features original members David Nelson and Buddy Cage.  This seminal cosmic outlaw country band tours extensively and is recording a CD of new material, some of which was co-written with Robert Hunter, famed lyricist for the Grateful Dead.

Recently signed with Woodstock Records, Falzarano will release his third solo CD entitled We Are All One in October 2008.  Joining Falzarano on the dozen original songs and two cover songs is a collection of musicians he likes to call The Extended Family -- Vassar Clements, Melvin Seals, Buddy Cage, Jorma Kaukonen and Garth Hudson, to name a few.

The King James Session, Falzarano’s prior release on Blues Planet Records, includes the song "Last Train Out" which he wrote in memory of The Allman Brothers’ and Gov’t Mule’s late, well-known bass player Allen Woody.  Mecca is a CD that Falzarano and The Memphis Pilgrims released on Relix Records with guests Jorma Kaukonen, Pete Sears and Harvey Sorgen of Hot Tuna and Danny Lewis of Gov’t Mule.  Both have garnered rave reviews (see below).

Falzarano has performed on and contributed many original compositions for Hot Tuna releases such as Pair A Dice Found (Epic), Live at Sweetwater I and II (Relix), …And Furthurmore (Grateful Dead) and Hot Tuna—Live In Japan (Relix), as well as the Jorma Kaukonen releases Land of Heroes (American Heritage), Too Many Years (American Heritage) and The Jorma Kaukonen Trio Live (Relix).  A partial list of his other recordings include Professor Louie & the Crowmatix’s Live and Flyin’ High (both on Woodstock Records), Kerry Kearney’s Trippin’ on the Psychedelta (Relix) and Alexis P. Suter's Shuga Fix (Hipbone).

A live show veteran of more than 20 years, Falzarano has toured with Hot Tuna, The New Riders of the Purple Sage and The Jorma Kaukonen Trio (Kaukonen, Falzarano and Pete Sears) throughout the United States, Europe, Scandinavia and Japan.  These bands have shared billings with The Allman Brothers, Black Crowes, Rusted Root, The Other Ones, Bob Weir’s Ratdog, Mickey Hart’s Mystery Box, Bruce Hornsby, Los Lobos, Dave Mason, Poco, Railroad Earth, Yonder Mountain String Band, moe and The Commander Cody Band, among others.

Falzarano has also appeared live or recorded with such musical greats as Bob Weir; Robert Hunter (Grateful Dead); Donna Jean Godchaux (Grateful Dead);Tom Constanten (Grateful Dead); Mickey Hart (Grateful Dead); Levon Helm, Rick Danko and Garth Hudson (The Band); John Lee Hooker; Johnny Copeland; Hubert Sumlin (Howlin’ Wolf); Vassar Clements; Paul Simon; Dr. John; Graham Parker; Merl Saunders; Steve Kimok; Bill Keith; Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers, Gov’t Mule, The Dead); Warren Zevon; Greg Allman (Allman Brothers); David Crosby; Eric Anderson; Reid Genauer (Assembly of Dust); Jeff Austin (Yonder Mountain String Band; Tony Trischka; Maria Muldaur; Arlo Guthrie; John Sebastian (Lovin' Spoonful); Kenny Kosek (Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band); Geoff Atchison; Bruce Hornsby; Eric Weisberg; Pete Sears; Jonnie Johnson (Chuck Berry); Buddy Cage; Bob Matthews (New Riders); David Gans; Peter Rowan; Derek Trucks (Allman Brothers); Paul Kanter (The Jefferson Starship); Trey Anastasio (Phish); Guy Davis; Peter Mulvey; Melvin Seals (The Jerry Garcia Band); Jeff Chimenti and Mark Karan (Rat Dog); John Popper (Blues Traveler); John "Marmaduke" Dawson; Commander Cody; GE Smith; and Pinetop Perkins.

When not performing with his band The Extended Family, Falzarano can be seen with The New Riders of the Purple Sage.  Falzarano also produces other artists and teaches guitar workshops at Jorma Kaukonen’s Fur Peace Ranch.

“Falzarano charts his own musical course and reaches a worthwhile destination. The King James Sessions is an album filled with real music, played lovingly - and enjoyed easily, from the first note till the last.” - Hittin' The Note

 “Kick off your shoes and get ready to dance!  Mecca, the debut CD by Michael Falzarano, is chock full of good time, high energy performances and inspiring, infectious grooves.” - Beat Magazine

The King James Sessions “The music pours into the air with irresistible force as Falzarano strides down the steel rails of roots rock with genuine fervor.” - Blues Jam Magazine

Within six months of its debut on the club circuit, Michael Falzarano & The Memphis Pilgrims were hailed by the press as one of New York’s “best new bands” who were “simply and wonderfully a real rock ‘n’ roll band.” - East Coast Rocker