Years active 2001-2004 Genres Jazz, Funk, Electronica | Active until 2004 | |
 | ||
Labels Elektra Records
Sanctuary Records Associated acts Phish, Oteil and the Peacemakers, Aquarium Rescue Unit, The Meters Past members Page McConnell
Oteil Burbridge
Russell Batiste, Jr. Albums The Illustrated Band, Live at the Fill, Vida Blue Members Page McConnell, Oteil Burbridge, Russell Batiste Jr | ||
Vida Blue was an electronic trio featuring Page McConnell (Phish), with Oteil Burbridge (The Allman Brothers Band, Aquarium Rescue Unit), and Russell Batiste (The Meters).
Contents
Name
Vida Blue got its name from the 1970s Major League Baseball pitcher Vida Blue. Blue himself joined the band on stage in 2004 at The Fillmore in San Francisco.
A screamo band from Iowa City, Iowa had been using the same name through part of 2001. The band subsequently changed their name to "Ten Grand," reportedly because they were paid $10,000.00 to relinquish rights to the name to McConnell.
History
The band originated in 2001 when McConnell attended shows by both The Allman Brothers Band and The Meters, and approached both Burbridge and Batiste about the Vida Blue project, which they were interested in. McConnell then booked time to record in New Orleans's Piety Street Recording Studio, later adding instrumental overdubs in Vermont. The resulting self-titled album, Vida Blue, was released in the summer of 2002 on Elektra Records.
Their second album, The Illustrated Band, released in 2003 on Sanctuary Records, is backed by the Spam Allstars, a Latin Grammy-nominated, Afro-Cuban sextet.
The group actively toured in April 2002, July 2002, April 2003, January 2004, and June 2004, with their last announced appearance being at the 2004 Bonnaroo Music Festival.
A DVD: Vida Blue and the Spam Allstars - Live at the Fillmore was released on November 30, 2004.
Albums
DVDs
Songs
CharmpitThe Illustrated Band · 2003
Little MiamiThe Illustrated Band · 2003
The Illustrated BandThe Illustrated Band · 2003