Merl Saunders w/ Deep Banana Blackout - Vibes 2000 video

As many of you know, our friend Merl Saunders passed away last week. Back in 2000, he performed at the Gathering of the Vibes as 'Merl Saunders and His Funky Friends", which was basically him being backed up by Deep Banana Blackout. I uploaded one of my favorite cuts from the set (the whole thing was amazing!) here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Is1j_8uGxw

This set is one of my fondest GOTV memories. Merl came into town a few days early and the band had a day-long rehearsal in the "living room" at our office. It was so amazing to watch this LEGEND meet all of these young (at the time, anyway) kids from CT who were laying down the funk on his tunes. He had a HUGE smile on his face the entire time. All of the things that you've heard/read about Merl are so very true. He was a gentle and caring man who just loved making music. After this show, he always went out of his way to stay in touch with the DBB guys, jamming with them, mentoring them and being a genuine friend. We had discussed trying to get Merl out to the Vibes over the past few years -- not to play, but just to be there and feel the love that we all share for him, but the travel was just a little too much and we were never able to make it happen.

Rest in Peace, Merl!

- Bob Kennedy (GOTV)