Central New York has spoken — Dead & Friends are officially turning into the jam-cover band everyone wants to see. After packing out Deep Dive, ONCO, and Crooked Mouth Brewery this fall and getting the whole room dancing with a high-energy blend of Grateful Dead favorites, Dylan cuts, and extended improvisational jams, the group is now booking show after show across the region and building serious momentum.
Made up of tight musicians with deep local roots, Dead & Friends thrive on connection — not just with each other, but with the crowd. Their sets are unpredictable in the best way: familiar songs become jumping-off points for deep grooves, call-and-response moments, and the kind of live magic you just can’t capture in a recording. It’s the kind of show you feel — not just hear.
The lineup features Cortland natives Evan Giebal and Aaron Fumerola, along with Jordan Del Rosario, known both for his previous work with the indie-psych group Cheers Elephant and for his handmade guitar-gear company Del Rosario Pedals. Jordan’s return to Central New York has added a spark to the band’s sound and to the local music scene itself — CNY loves a homecoming story, and this one is only getting better.
🎵 Show Alert: Dead & Friends at Funk and Waffles in Syracuse NY {307 S. Clinton St., Syracuse} Monday January 12th, 2026, starting around 7:00 PM.
This is your chance to dive into extended jams, Dead-inspired covers and improv energy. Bring friends, come early, grab a drink, and let the music carry you.
For more on Dead & Friends, click here. For more on Del Rosario Pedals, click here.
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