On the morning of July 7, 2023, I got the best news! My request to photograph the Trey Anastasio Band (TAB) at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ came through. This show was originally scheduled back in 2021, but thanks to Covid-19 did not take place until two years later. Trey Anastasio even remarked at the start of the show, “it’s great to be here, we were supposed to be here two years, but couldn’t be thanks to something. That something is gone now, and we are here!” Adding to the excitement of the news I got that morning, was that this show was sold out and the buzz in the air as I arrived in Asbury Park at the beginning of sound check was electric.
I first saw TAB back in the early 2000’s when they performed at PNC Arts Center (then the Garden State Arts Center) during a summer that Trey’s main band, Phish was on hiatus. TAB’s blend of Trey originals, covers, and strategically played Phish songs was contagious, and that summer quickly became the summer of TAB for me. Over the years TAB grew as a constant treat when Phish was not touring. Still with original member Russ Lawton (drums), TAB’s lineup also now features Cyro Baptista (percussionist), James Casey (multi-instrumentalist), Natalie Cressman (trombonist/vocalist), Dezron Douglas (bassist), Jennifer Hartswick (trumpeter/vocalist), and Ray Paczkowski (keyboardist). This dynamic group is rooted in jam improvisation with New Orleans’ style brass band flare. Ever since my first TAB show, its performances became chiseled cornerstone moments and memories in my musical journey.
This news was also special for me because I have not been to the Stone Pony Summer Stage since before the pandemic. For many years, summer shows at the Pony have been a quintessential fixture of my summers at the Jersey Shore. The festive open-air atmosphere combined with the intoxicating smell of ocean air was an experience that I have greatly missed. Another hugely amazing part of this experience is the community that is the Asbury Park music scene. The displacement I have felt missing out on these shows has been hard. There were so many friends and phamily members that I simply lost connection with due to the lack of Stone Pony summers in my life. When I got the news that I would be attending the TAB show all of this changed and as the lights came up and TAB took to the stage, I got butterflies and tears welled up inside as the wave of gratitude I felt hit like a breaker.
TAB started strong with a rendition of Phish’s Set Your Soul Free. The smiles of the band members and the crowd on the rail mirrored the love in my heart. This was the moment, the music and positivity radiating from Trey and his band became bliss. Trey song, Simple Twist Up Dave, followed echoing the sentiment that love and the power of faith is all that is needed to enjoy each moment and notes played completely. My time photographing the show ended with Trey’s song Evolve. I had not heard this song before but seems appropriate as an articulation of the journey I had taken away from my happy place, the Stone Pony Summer Stage, back to this moment. The past few years have been a challenge and I noted the evolution I felt inside and all around me.
As I transitioned from photographing in the pit to emersion into the crowd to celebrate, TAB played another Phish song Rise/Come Together. The uncanny ability of Trey to read the mood and energy of the crowd was personified perfectly by this song choice. Almost immediately, I was rewarded with a reunion with dear friends I had not seen in almost a decade. The gratitude I felt for the universe exploded in me as we reminisced. Next came two more Phish songs, Steam and Heavy Things. The humidity in the air hung thick and the weight of recent stresses felt before the show melted away as I soaked up the light beaming from the music on stage. My favorite part of the first set came next in the form of two Trey originals, Cayman Review and Night Speaks to a Woman. These are songs that I remember hearing my first summer of TAB and the OG moment and 20 plus years of memories felt clutch. The crowd favorite, Phish song, Moma Dance, hit next, locking the crowd into a dance frenzy. The set then ended with Trey original, Curlew’s Call.
After a short break and even more reunions, TAB launched into Trey original, I Never Needed You Like This Before. Once again, Trey’s masterful wizardry was on full display with this song choice. We all, the entire pack to the gills Summer Stage lot, needed this night. Trey just knows, and with that delivered! Next came two covers, 1977 by Ana Tijoux and Chris Ardoin and Double Clutchin’s, Acting the Devil. 1977 was song artfully, completely in Spanish by Natalie Cressman. Acting the Devil was mischievously playful reminding me of the now discontinued Facebook poke. Next came another Trey original Oblivion, followed by Phish song, Love is What We Are. This was another moment that almost brought me to tears. In this moment and throughout the night, TAB played and sang the truth. The waves of gratitude I felt for everyone at this show and everyone I cared deeply about in my life bubbled up inside. Next came another Trey original, Drifting. Followed by my favorite song of set two, Phish’s Alaska, or as I liked to think of it (Baked) Alaska thanks to the recent green recreational laws passed in New Jersey. Second set concluded with a crescendo in the form of Phish’s, Everything’s Right, serving as another fitting tribute to this wonderful show. Trey and his band’s sound blended harmoniously with the crowd’s energy and the sentiment of this song reminded me that everything would be alright if we just continue to hold onto our joy and our loved ones.
As the magnificent tone of the show lingers, the crowd grew even more anticipation for an encore. Patience was rewarded with a return to the stage by Trey, Natalie, and Jen, along with TAB member, James Casey (saxophones, vocals). James had not performed yet that night, but his vocals added to a soul stirring acapella rendition of Harold Arlen’s, Over the Rainbow by the quartet. A perfect tribute to thought that we were not in Kansas anymore. Tonight, we had all found the end of the rainbow at the Jersey Shore and the memories of these moments will hang in the air with the smell of salt water. The encore ended with Phish song, First Tube, a momentum building instrumental. The addition of horns stretched this runaway train out like taffy. Lights washed over the crowd spotlighting the exuberance.
Trey Anastasio Band at the Stone Pony (Asbury Park, NJ) 7/7/23
Set 1: Set Your Soul Free*, Simple Twist Up Dave, Evolve, Rise/Come Together*, Steam*, Heavy Things*, Cayman Review, Night Speaks to a Woman, The Moma Dance*, Curlew’s Crew
Set 2: I Never Needed You Like This Before, 1977**, Acting the Devil***, No Men in No Man’s Land*, Oblivion, Love is What We Are*, Drifting, Alaska*, Everything’s Right*
Encore: Over the Rainbow****, First Tube*
*Phish song
**Anna Tijoux cover
*** Chris Ardoin and Double Clutchin’ cover
**** written by Harold Arlen
