By Abigale Kreinheader
The Holiday Valley Rail Rider Jamboree Music Festival is back, bringing in some of the greatest bluegrass/americana bands from around the country. Six bands will be playing throughout the day, headlined by the one and only, Dark Star Orchestra for their second appearance at the Jamboree Mu-sic Festival. The band has been performing for over 25 years and has played over 3000 shows. They offer an authentic Grateful Dead live concert experience, recreating set lists from the past and incor-porating their own improvisations. The seven band members, Rob Eaton, Rob Barraco, Dino Eng-lish, Rob Koritz, Lisa Mackey, Jeff Mattson, and Skip Vangelas will bring the Dead to you on Satur-day March 18 at Holiday Valley. I had the chance to chat with drummer Rob Koritz who joined Dark Star Orchestra in 1999, bringing with him his enthusiasm for Dead music and undeniable tal-ent.
(The Villager): What do you think it is about Dark Star Orchestra’s take on The Grateful Dead music that continues to resonate with people today?
(Rob Koritz): Well because it’s improvisational, it’s never the same twice even if it’s the same song, it’s always going to be different because it’s improvised. When it comes down to improvisation it happens in the moment. So, it’s not hearing that same song played exactly the same way every time, that’s part of it. A bigger part of it, in my opinion, is the lyrics. These are some of the most beautiful and thought-provoking lyrics anywhere. They’re words to live by. The song writers, John Barlow and Robert Hunter, wrote some of the best lyrics you’ve ever heard, they’re right up there with Bob Dylan.
(V): Do you think Dead music will continue to stay alive?
(RK): We’re turning on a lot of new fans to The Grateful Dead, the younger generation didn’t necessarily get to see them and now they have a way to see them. It’s really cool to see a grandfather who saw the dead in the ’60s or ‘70s or ‘80s come out with their kid who saw them in the ‘80s and ‘90s and then the grandkid who’s never got to see them…multiple generations of a family can come out together and listen to the Dead together, it’s pretty cool. This music is part of the great American songbook now, I think this music is going to be around forever.
(V): What sets Dark Star Orchestra apart from other tribute bands?
(RK): In the dead world, I would say our attention to the details in the music. We try and play it as close to the original sounds with the original intent that the Dead had is really what sets us apart.
(V): What are your thoughts on coming back for the second time to perform at the Jamboree?
(RK): We played it last year with Keller Williams, March 19, 2022. I remember it was cold and it rained all day, but it stopped right before we went on. There was a New Orleans style brass band that were out marching through the crowd in the downpour playing and all these fans were out there having a blast, I was blown away by it. We’re really looking forward to coming back this year.
(V): What should Ellicottville expect from Dark Star Orchestra this weekend?
(RK): I usually don’t look until the day of the show, just so I can be surprised and keep it fresh, kind of just live in the moment of what were going to do that night.
Since 1997, Dark Star Orchestra has truly kept the Dead alive. While still encapsulating the energy of the Grateful Dead music, their improvisational renditions keep fans on their toes, even those hard-core Deadheads. As Rob Koritz said, “You never know what to expect from us.” So, grab a friend and head to Holiday Valley this weekend to see what Koritz and the rest of the band have in store for this year’s Jamboree. Dark Star Orchestra will take the stage at 7:30pm on Saturday March 18. For more information on the event and band lineup check out the Rail Rider Jamboree Music Festival website at www.railriderjam.com.