Trey Anastasio to Tour with New Version of 'Classic TAB'

Less than a week after Trey Anastasio brought Phish's triumphant comeback year to a close, via a four-night stand in Miami, the king of jam guitar has announced a February tour with his solo band, Classic TAB. Anastasio first introduced the core of this band as as a power trio featuring Russ Lawton (drums) and Tony Markellis (bass) in 1999. On subsequent tours, he gradually expanded the group into a full-on big band with as many as ten full-time members working with horn charts and classical arrangements.
Now that Phish is back in full force but not touring again until the summer, Anastasio has once again taken to expanding and experimenting with his solo line-up. The version that will tour in February features keyboardist Ray Paczkowski and a horn section led by old favorites Jennifer Hartswick and Russell Remington. As always, the group will pull most of its material from Anastasio's entire repertoire, including new originals that may -- if history is any indication -- eventually make their way into Phish's canon. Naturally, the forecast also calls for lots and lots of jamming.