Ian Santillano may be from Hayward, but the spunky young guitarist and self-described “Greasy Mayer” spends a lot of time gigging in San Jose. This Friday’s free livestream will be filmed on stage at Art Boutiki, an appropriately funky location for Santillano’s deep grooves, soulful melodies, and sweat-drenched fretboard freakouts. The guitarist recently also composed a new tune for San Jose Jazz, as part of their Jazz Aid Fund grant program. A little bit of soul, a little bit of rock, and a whole lot of heart. That’s the Greasy Mayer.

Ian Santillano
Fri, June 4, Free (registration required)

Unlike the many thousands of Gen X-ers who were indoctrinated into the cult of the Jerry by their blissed-out parents, John Mayer stumbled upon the Grateful Dead later in life. The story goes like this: In 2011, Mayer came across the Dead on Spotify. It changed his life, man… Several years later, in 2015, he struck up a relationship with Bob Weir after trading licks with the founding Dead guitarist on late night TV. The pair ultimately recruited two more original members—Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann—as well as virtuosic veteran players Oteil Burbridge (bass) and Jeff Chimenti (keys). They play Monday and Tuesday.

Dead & Co.
Mon, 7pm, $45+
Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View