Karl Denson celebrated his 60th birthday last night with a guest-heavy performance at San Francisco’s The Fillmore. The saxophonist, who made his name as a member of Lenny Kravitz’s band and with Greyboy Allstars, performed with his long-running Tiny Universe and nodded to his rich songbook with the help of some friends who represent his diverse projects. Percussionist Mike Dillon augmented the Tiny Universe throughout the night, including an early show nod to Denson’s current post as a touring member of The Rolling Stones, “Sway.” Keyboardist Ivan Neville also sat in at various points during the set, beginning with a take on “My Baby Likes to Boogaloo.” He returned for a version of the Grateful Dead adopted “Viola Lee Blues” that also boasted two other members of the extended Dead family, Jackie Greene and Luther Dickinson. (Denson has also performed with Phil Lesh recently.) Greene remained onstage as Neville and Dickinson faded into the wings for a take on the Dead’s “Here Comes Sunshine,” though Neville returned for soul classics “Let a Woman Be a Woman” and “Nobody Wants You.”

Denson has served as a part-time member of Slightly Stoopid in recent years and the members of the eclectic San Diego outfit emerged halfway through the show for an extended sequence that included some of their originals and adopted covers like “Speedometer,” “Devils Door,” “This Version,” “Express Yourself” and “Po Black Maddie.” Then, Slightly Stoopid members Dela and Andy Geib joined the Tiny Universe for Cold Blood’s “Funky on My Back.” Finally, at the end of the night, Neville, Greene and Dickson returned for a double encore of The Rolling Stones’ “Live with Me” and Steely Dan’s “Show Biz Kids.”

Tiny Universe will perform at Fayetteville, AR’s George’s Majestic Lounge on New Year’s Eve.