Dave Easley

This Saturday, March 7, Comstock Saloon welcomes a true master of the “space-age” sound: Dave Easley. A legendary figure in the pedal steel world, Easley brings a New Orleans-honed sensibility to North Beach, blending the warmth of the deep south with an experimental jazz edge that perfectly fits Comstock’s pre-Prohibition atmosphere.

The Music: Dave Easley is not your typical country steel player. While he can deliver classic honky-tonk licks with ease, he is best known for pushing the pedal steel into improvisational jazz, psychedelic rock, and avant-garde folk. His “big ears” and fluid phrasing have led him to collaborate with an incredible range of icons, including Joni Mitchell, Brian Blade, and Ruthie Foster.

The Sound: Expect a set that moves from pastoral, melodic beauty to intricate, Grateful Dead-inspired improvisations. Using a phrasing that mimics the human voice, Easley transforms the pedal steel into a lead instrument capable of “Coltrane-like” clusters and soulful blues runs.

The Setting: Set against Comstock’s 1907-era mahogany bar and high ceilings, the atmospheric, shimmering tones of the pedal steel create a soundscape that feels both vintage and futuristic. It’s an ideal environment for those who appreciate high-fidelity musicianship alongside a masterfully crafted cocktail.