In a spectacular display of musical innovation, the Mill Valley Music Festival recently played host to Jason Crosby’s groundbreaking project, the Crosby Collective. This ensemble of accomplished musicians delivered an unforgettable hour-long performance featuring ingenious mashups of classic rock songs.
They blended familiar melodies and lyrics in ways that genuinely delighted the Marin County audience. The creative vision behind these combinations showed off not just technical skill, but also a deep, almost reverent appreciation for rock music history.
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All-Star Ensemble Brings Musical Fusion to Marin County
The Crosby Collective’s appearance at the Mill Valley Music Festival on May 10, 2025, brought together an impressive lineup of musical talent. Multi-instrumentalist Jason Crosby, the creative force behind the project, assembled a remarkable group including Widespread Panic bassist Dave Schools.
Schools provided a solid rhythmic foundation throughout the performance. You could really feel the groove anchoring each song.
Talent-Packed Lineup Represents Marin’s Musical Heritage
The ensemble featured drummer John Morgan Kimock and keyboardist Jeremy Jeffers. Guitarist Tom Guarna and the renowned pedal steel guitarist Greg Leisz rounded out the instrumental section.
Lamar Williams Jr., Aletha Mills, and AnDre Washington added vocal depth that reflected Marin County’s musical diversity. Their harmonies carried echoes of the region’s creative legacy, from Sausalito to San Rafael.
This gathering of exceptional musicians in Mill Valley continues the region’s storied tradition as a haven for creative musical collaboration. It’s reminiscent of the artistic communities that have thrived in Bolinas, Stinson Beach, and throughout the county for decades.
Innovative Mashups Captivate Festival Audience
The Crosby Collective kicked things off with a creative overture that set the tone for the night. Then Aletha Mills took center stage for what many Tiburon and Corte Madera locals called a breathtaking mashup of Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog” with a Grateful Dead classic.
Grateful Dead Meets Contemporary Rock
The collective nodded to Marin County’s deep connection to the Grateful Dead, who once called the area home. They performed several inventive blends featuring the band’s music, including:
Fairfax music fans especially appreciated these creative takes on Grateful Dead classics. The town has always had a soft spot for the band’s extended musical family.
Cross-Genre Experimentation Highlights Performance
The collective showed off their versatility by venturing beyond jam band territory. Their performance of The Doors’ “Riders On The Storm” meshed with Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” created a cross-genre experience that resonated with listeners from Novato to Larkspur.
Special Guest Appearances Enhance Festival Experience
Guest vocalist Elliott Peck jumped in with the ensemble for a surprising Taylor Swift/U2 mashup. The blend of styles bridged generational musical tastes and gave the crowd something they definitely didn’t expect.
This kind of creative risk-taking? It’s exactly why Mill Valley keeps drawing West Marin residents who crave something different. You just never know what you’ll get, and that’s part of the fun.
The show wrapped up with “Friend Of The Lithium,” a mashup of Grateful Dead and Nirvana. Apparently, this mix even sparked Crosby’s latest project—talk about inspiration coming from unlikely places.
Videographer Ted Silverman filmed the whole thing, making sure this tour de force stuck around for anyone who missed it. Folks from Point Reyes Station all the way to Belvedere-Tiburon are still talking about the show, and honestly, the Crosby Collective has earned its spot in Marin County’s musical story. The spirit of innovation here isn’t going anywhere.
Here is the source article for this story: Crosby Collective Featuring Dave Schools Showcases Mashups At Mill Valley Music Festival
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