Episode 114 - Jeff Sipe (Aqaurium Rescue Unit, Leftover Salmon, Helburd_Lane_Sipe)

If Jeff Sipe isn't a name you know at this point, it's probably time now that you should.  For over 40 years, Jeff Sipe has been a drummer that has wowed people all over the world with some of the most notable improvisational musicians on the planet.  While studying at Berklee, Jeff met and played in a band with a young guitarist named Steve Vai in a band called Winter.  Jeff moved to Atlanta in 1983 where he was teaching and Atlanta Institute of Music and this is when he met a gentleman by the name of Col. Bruce Hampton who took a liking to this young fellas drumming.

Jeff reached out to some friends of his, Jimmy Herring (guitar) and Otiel Burbridge (bass) and together they formed the Aquarium Rescue Unit and as a band they are considered forefathers of the modern Jam Band movement.  Along with other up and coming bands like Phish, Spin Doctors, and Blues Traveler, ARU embarked on the first ever HORDE Tour which exposed this improvisational concept of musical performance to Amphitheater's all over the US. 

Jeff Left ARU in 1995 and joined the bluegrass jam band Leftover Salmon in 1997 (my wife and I followed Leftover Salmon all over the southeast for 3 years.)  After leaving the band in 2000, Jeff would go on to work with such artists as Jonas Hellborg, Jay Lane, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Leftover Salmon, and Jazz Is Dead just to name a few.  Jeff is a living legend and I am lucky to call him a great friend. 

Enjoy this one, y'all!

Check out Jeff Sipe's Official Site: www.jeffsipe.com