On Saturday, Umphreys McGee concluded its fall tour at San Franciscos Fillmore Auditorium. During Jazz Odyssey, the group invited Garaj Mahals Eric Levy onstage to play keyboards alongside Umphreys McGees Joel Cummins. A night earlier, while performing at Los Angeles El Rey Theatre, the group jammed with another crowd pleasing keyboardist. Particles Steve Molitz emerged for an energetic version of Jimmy Stewart, which came complete with teases of Bob Marleys Burning and Looting.

While at home in Chicago preparing of its New Years Eve performance, the members of Umphreys McGee will also participate in a number of side-projects. Wednesday at Park West, guitarists Brendan Bayliss and Jake Cinninger will play a special acoustic show with Cummins providing opening duties. Then, on December 23, drummer Kris Myers will perform with his other band, Drop Q, at the Windy Citys Martyr’s.