Dark Star Orchestra on Monday confirmed that guitarist/singer John Kadlecik is leaving the band. The official word on Kadlecik, who has played “Jerry” in the well-traveled, well-oiled Grateful Dead tribute since its 1997 inception, is that he has officially resigned.
[Photo of Jeff Mattson and John Kadlecik by David Gans]
According to a statement from the band, Kadlecik’s last show with Dark Star Orchestra will be its Dec. 5 date in Buffalo, NY. Kadlecik has in recent months been playing with Furthur, the Bob Weir/Phil Lesh project that has New York, New Jersey and Connecticut dates scheduled in early December and will ring in the New Year in San Francisco.
Kadlecik will be replaced on a temporary basis by Zen Tricksters frontman Jeff Mattson, who was already announced as a fill-in guest for several of the band’s upcoming dates, and will be with the band for its New Year’s run, its upcoming spot on Jam Cruise and a Winter Tour that will kick off in February.
Dark Star Orchestra publicist Dave Weissman tells Hidden Track that Mattson’s assignment will be temporary, and that DSO has begun a search for a permanent replacement.
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