For the past 12 years and for over 1700 shows, John Kadlecik has played the role of Jerry Garcia for the Dark Star Orchestra, a Grateful Dead cover band got its start with weekly gigs at Martyr’s several years ago and has since crafted a following across the country and into Europe. 

Kadlecik announced yesterday in a letter posted on the band’s website that he will be leaving Dark Star Orchestra to join Furthur, the newly formed ban comprised of founding Grateful Dead members Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, along with Joe Russo of The Duo and Jeff Chimenti and Jay Lane of Ratdog.

Taking Kadlecik’s place in Dark Star Orchestra for all future scheduled shows is Zen Trickster’s guitarist Jeff Mattson. The Dark Star Orchestra will continue to recreate past Grateful Dead show in their entirety at concerts across the country.  Kadlick’s final show will be on December 5, in Buffalo New York, he will join Further for an East Coast run of shows starting December 8 in New York City.

Dark Star Orchestra play tomorrow night in Ithaca, NY at the State Theatre (with Mattson on guitar) at 8 p.m.