Today San Diego group Chest Fever released episode four of their documentary series, The Band Is, which captures their recreation of the iconic Last Waltz performance and live album from legendary Canadian classic rock group, The Band. The episode, which was released and shared in conjunction with The Band’s estate, shows Chest Fever collaborating with a star-studded cast of supporting musicians and artists to bring The Band’s vision back to life to new listeners and music fans at San Diego’s storied Magnolia Theater, and across the continent this past autumn. With never before seen interviews, stunning performance videos, rare behind-the-scenes footage and more, episode four digs into the depths of Chest Fever’s focus and artistry in reviving the genius of The Band, while honoring the enduring impact their work has made in music history.
The documentary features the amazing community of musicians and artists that Chest Fever has recruited to bring their vision to life on stage. Chest Fever is the alter-ego of San Diego Music Award winning rock band Mrs. Henry. Interviews with the legendary San Diego radio station 91X FM and performance videos featuring celebrated musicians and artists including Scarlet Rivera (of Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue), trailblazing Grammy Award winning guitarist Albert Lee (Eric Clapton, Everly Brothers), Marc Ford (The Black Crowes and The Magpie Salute), Songwriters Hall of Fame member Jack Tempchin (hitmaker and Eagles collaborator), Zander Schloss (The Circle Jerks) and more underscore Chest Fever’s comprehensive, collaborative vision. The group makes clear that this generational exchange is not a passing of the torch, but another chapter in the long-running story of The Band, of rock and roll, and music as a whole.
“I was going to rehearsal one afternoon,” recalls Rivera of meeting Bob Dylan, who had first collaborated with The Band when he turned electric. “I was about to go to rehearsal across the street and he said, “forget that rehearsal. I really have to hear you play.” So I jumped in the car and he said “I have to go see a friend of mine play, want to come?” And he got up on stage and said “now I want to bring up my violinist.” He was announcing to me that I was hired.” By tapping into this community of artists and musicians from The Band’s era and circle, Chest Fever offers an inclusion vision, and ultimately a special, one-of-a-kind experience for fans. Episode four was made in collaboration with award winning documentarian Scott Rosenbaum of Red Hawk Films, who directed the filming of all three Southern California concerts along with a 5 person film crew. Rosenbaum is known for his directorial work on Sidemen: Long Road To Glory, an intimate look at the incredible lives and legacies of piano player Pinetop Perkins, drummer Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith and guitarist Hubert Sumlin, all Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf sidemen.
Chest Fever features members of the San Diego Music Award winning rock band Mrs. Henry. The group is led by Dan Cervantes (Howlin Rain guitarist + Blind Owl label owner), and is rounded out by Jody Bagley (Vocals and Keyboards), Blake Dean (Vocals and Bass), Chad Lee (Vocals and Drums), Allan Ritter (Vocals and Drums), and Doug Organ (organ). The idea of Chest Fever started to bloom back in 2017 when Mrs. Henry set their sights on paying homage to The Last Waltz, that historic 1976 night where The Band , along with a group of iconic friends and musicians, documented their legendary final performance at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco, that we now know as the The Last Waltz, by recreating it in their hometown of San Diego. For Mrs. Henry, the challenge ignited a new purpose and an infectious wave of inspiration. On November 26, 2017 Mrs. Henry performed the Last Waltz in its entirety with a wonderful community of San Diego artists, along with guest performances by Pat Beers of The Schitzophonics, Brenden Dellar of Sacri Monti, Jesse Lee of The Paragraphs, Clinton Davis, Noah C Lekas and more.
The group is currently on their Freeze in the North Tour, where they are honing in on The Band’s classic 1968 debut album Music from Big Pink. Chest Fever will perform classics from The Band’s oeuvre, including songs from the group’s classic 1968 debut album Music from Big Pink, The Last Waltz, and Rock of Ages, in addition to recreating The Band’s celebrated 1969 performance at the Woodstock Music & Art Fair.

TOUR DATES
3/3 Cleveland, OH @ Winchester Music Tavern
3/4 Detroit, MI @ Token Lounge
3/7 Buffalo, NY @ Buffalo Iron Works
3/8 Rochester, NY @ Photo City Music Hall
3/9 Ottawa, ON, CA @ Mavericks
3/10 Kingston, ON, CA @ The Mansion
3/11 Toronto, ON, CA @ Horseshoe Tavern
3/12 St Catherines, ON, CA @ Warehouse Niagara
*w/ Butler Street Revival
Press via SIDEWAYS INC.