Greg Garrison Reflects on 25 Years with Leftover Salmon and the Bonds That Keep It Going

As Leftover Salmon celebrates 35 years as a band, bassist Greg Garrison marks a significant milestone of his own: 25 years with the genre-bending Colorado ensemble. While founding members Drew Emmitt and Vince Herman remain the core architects of the group, Garrison’s quarter-century of contributions behind the bass and in the studio have made him an essential part of the band’s identity.

“The fact that any band can last 35 years is pretty miraculous,” Garrison says. “We did take a short break—there was a hiatus from 2004 to 2006—but otherwise, it’s been remarkably consistent. It’s a testament to Drew and Vince not only for their creativity but for just being great people to work with. They’ve always been welcoming, encouraging, and fun to be around.”

That sense of joy is apparent on their new album, Let’s Party About It, which is out now on CD, vinyl and as a digital download (Apple Music, and Amazon Music). It continues the “Polyethnic Cajun Slam-Grass” band’s tradition of eschewing labels by alternating between genres and styles to fit the mood of each song.

When Garrison joined the band, he found himself stepping into a musical world that defied easy categorization. “We were down in New Orleans recently, and I was with my friend Tim Newby — he’s a writer who actually published a book on the band called 30 Years of Festival! We were talking about genre, like what even is Leftover Salmon? And honestly, I still don’t know. I hate the term ‘jam grass.’ It just doesn’t sit right with me. But what Drew and Vince helped start, it was part of the early jam band scene—along with bands like Panic, Phish, Dave Matthews Band, and String Cheese Incident—and it’s grown into something that’s its own thing.”

For Garrison, the band’s success isn’t just about the music. It’s about community, both on and off stage. “Just seeing how much support there is for this scene now—especially around bluegrass and the festival circuit—it’s really inspiring. Being part of that for 25 years, watching it evolve and grow, it’s been really special.”

His impact goes beyond bass lines. Over time, Garrison has taken on increasing responsibility for the group’s operations and creative output. “I’ve produced the last five records,” he says. “That’s been special for me because I’ve gotten to help shape the sound and direction of the band. Drew and Vince trust me in that role, which says a lot. That kind of trust doesn’t come easy.”

He also plays a key role behind the scenes, handling much of the logistics and administration that keep the band running. “I’m kind of the guy who makes sure things don’t fall apart. There’s a lot of invisible work that has to happen so we can get onstage and do what we do. I’m happy to fill that role because it helps everyone else focus on the music.”

Even after 25 years, Garrison doesn’t take any of it for granted. “I feel a real sense of ownership in the band now,” he says. “I’m the third-longest-tenured member after Drew and Vince, and this current version of the band feels really balanced. Everyone brings something important. It’s like a puzzle where all the pieces matter.”

From the outside, Leftover Salmon might seem like a band defined by its eclectic style and celebratory energy. But for Garrison, it’s the strength of their relationships—on stage and off—that keeps things moving forward. Years of playing together have built a deep sense of trust and camaraderie that fuels everything they do.