Grateful
Dead fans will immediately recognize the name Tom Constanten -
or "TC," as he's known.
An integral part of the Dead family in the late 60s, Constanten
recorded and toured with the band during its most creative period.
Constanten joined the Dead family after traveling to San Francisco
to study music at the University of California-Berkeley. There
he became friends and roommates with Grateful Dead bassist Phil
Lesh, who shared an interest in experimental composers and critical
thinking.
Following a stint in the Air Force, Constanten joined the Dead
at Jerry Garcia's behest for the recording of the "Anthem
of the Sun" and "Aoxomoxoa" albums, while also
appearing on various tours and the classic "Live/Dead"
album. His penchant for new techniques and experiments with electronics
and prepared piano easily made him the most adventuresome pianist-keyboardist
to play with the group.
After leaving the Dead he played gigs around the Bay area with
Mickey Hart, a young Peter Rowan and others. Other bands and tours
followed, along with theater and film work and forays into academia,
from the '70s through the '90s.
Dose Hermanos, a late '90s keyboard-multi media project with Grateful
Dead technical team member Bob Bralove, served notice of Constanten's
commitment to forward-looking composing and recording.
That commitment continues with Constanten performing, recording
and teaching in and around his current home near Charlotte, NC.
