Who We Are
The Grateful Academy is a place for musicians to learn more about the styles and techniques involved with playing the Grateful Dead’s music. We dive into the theory, chord voicings, rhythms, tones, history, and philosophies of the Dead with a focus on being creative within the realm. We will learn ways to use the same concepts in many songs. This is not just a workshop to learn songs note for note, it’s a program to EDUCATE you on how to play in many different situations.
Acoustic, electric, or bass guitar players welcome. Like to sing also? Great! We will work on vocal harmonies also. Some sessions will have professional Dead musicians backing us as we play. Just bring your axe…we will have amps, cables, and mics all set up for you. You’ll be playing your instrument most of the time so come prepared to jam!
About Nate LaPointe
Nate LaPointe is a multi-instrumentalist freelance musician in Los Angeles, California. Spending his childhood in his father’s record store, he was inspired to pick up the guitar at a very early age after seeing the Grateful Dead at Red Rocks on July 28, 1982. With his father’s connection to John Barlow and their family’s vacations to Dead shows, Nate became accustomed to the life of being in the front row or backstage. On August 12, 1987 at Red Rocks, he watched the concert while standing next to Jerry Garcia’s amp and spent time after the show with the man. This only fueled his thirst to know more about the music. By age 9, Nate was sitting in with Grateful Dead cover bands in his hometown of Laramie, WY.
Fast forward to the late 90’s and you’ll find Nate studying jazz at the California Institute of the Arts with such legends as Charlie Haden, Joe LaBarbera, and Larry Koonse. This intense academic and creative atmosphere provided him with the opportunity to analyze music on many levels and also learn the best approaches to teaching creative music.
By 2002, Nate crossed paths with SoCal Dead tribute Cubensis and eventually became a full time member. This iconic band has been around for 35+ years and is known for touring the West Coast with former Grateful Dead keyboardist Vince Welnick. With nearly 3000 shows under their belt, Cubensis plays a variety of Grateful Dead standards, obscurities, and Jerry Garcia Band material. The band has even welcomed JGB keyboardist Melvin Seals to their stage on many occasions.
During this same time, Nate started touring with soul/r&b legend Bobby Womack and played with him on his final concert in 2014 at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Tennessee. Nate has also shared the stage with Phil Lesh, Chan Kinchla, David Hidalgo, Stu Allen, Barry Sless, and Wally Ingram.
Nate currently resides in Lawndale, CA with his wife Laryssa, daughter Ava, and two dogs Zuri and Miles.
