Mockingbird Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Mockingbird Foundation is a charitable organization founded by fans of the jam band
Phish
in 1996 (legally incorporated the following year) to support music education
for children. Unconventional in structure, it exists almost entirely online, allowing a higher percentage of income to be distributed directly to deserving organizations. Projects include the publication of The Phish Companion
and the production of the Phish tribute album Sharin' in the Groove
. As of November 13, 2006, the foundation had provided over 150 disbursements (through grants and other awards) totalling over $500,000; sold over 60,000 copies of The Phish Companion; and sold over 25,000 copies of Sharin' in the Groove. The organization was recognized officially by Phish when, in 2004, the band donated all proceeds from their Livephish download service to the Mockingbird Foundation.
, is a comprehensive and authoritative reference chronicling Phish and their music, including years preceding and following the band's own history. It was researched with the help of all official Phish sources, including band archivist Kevin Shapiro, bassist Mike Gordon
, lyricist Tom Marshall
, and others. Over 1,500 named fans contributed to the First Edition, with several hundred more augmenting the second.
With over 900 pages and weighing 4.20 pounds, the book features setlists, show notes and statistics on 1,426 live performances; setlists and reviews on nearly 700 sideshows; history and statistics on over 670 songs; detailed notes and advice on various bootlegs in circulation; and a redesigned discography, venues table, tape notes, lyrics index, essays, interviews, poetry, and photography. The second edition's forewords were written by all of the people credited as having taught the members of Phish how to play music. Phish lyricist Tom Marshall
has called the Companion "Truly an epic piece of work."
, features nearly two hours of music from 23 individual acts including The Wailers, Dave Matthews
, Jimmy Buffett
, John Scofield
, Arlo Guthrie
, the Stanford Marching Band
, The Vermont Youth Orchestra, Tom Marshall, as well as members of the Trey Anastasio's band
, Jefferson Airplane
, Talking Heads
, and Los Lobos
. It was produced independently on an all-volunteer basis: none of the artists, managers, studios, or others involved received compensation for their contribution. The tracks are arranged like a live show, including two sets and an encore.
Jam band
-Ambiguity:By the late 1990s use of the term jam band also became ambiguous. An editorial at jamband.com suggested that any band of which a primary band such as Phish has done a cover of be included as jam band. The example was including New York post-punk band Talking Heads after Phish performed...
Phish
Phish
Phish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
in 1996 (legally incorporated the following year) to support music education
Music education
Music education is a field of study associated with the teaching and learning of music. It touches on all domains of learning, including the psychomotor domain , the cognitive domain , and, in particular and significant ways,the affective domain, including music appreciation and sensitivity...
for children. Unconventional in structure, it exists almost entirely online, allowing a higher percentage of income to be distributed directly to deserving organizations. Projects include the publication of The Phish Companion
The Phish Companion
The Phish Companion is an encyclopedia about the band Phish. The first edition was published in 2000, with a second edition released around the time of Phish's breakup in 2004....
and the production of the Phish tribute album Sharin' in the Groove
Sharin' in the Groove
Sharin' in the Groove: Celebrating the Music of Phish is an all-star charity Phish tribute album featuring 23 acts covering 20 Phish songs, all on a volunteer basis, to fund , under the auspices of the Mockingbird Foundation...
. As of November 13, 2006, the foundation had provided over 150 disbursements (through grants and other awards) totalling over $500,000; sold over 60,000 copies of The Phish Companion; and sold over 25,000 copies of Sharin' in the Groove. The organization was recognized officially by Phish when, in 2004, the band donated all proceeds from their Livephish download service to the Mockingbird Foundation.
The Phish Companion
The Mockingbird Foundation is a leading provider of historical information about the band Phish and its music. The Foundation's book project, The Phish CompanionThe Phish Companion
The Phish Companion is an encyclopedia about the band Phish. The first edition was published in 2000, with a second edition released around the time of Phish's breakup in 2004....
, is a comprehensive and authoritative reference chronicling Phish and their music, including years preceding and following the band's own history. It was researched with the help of all official Phish sources, including band archivist Kevin Shapiro, bassist Mike Gordon
Mike Gordon
Mike Gordon is a bass guitar player and vocalist most noted for his work with the rock band Phish. Gordon is also an accomplished banjo player, and is proficient at piano, guitar, harmonica and percussion...
, lyricist Tom Marshall
Tom Marshall (singer)
Tom Marshall is a lyricist, keyboardist and singer/songwriter best known for his association with Trey Anastasio and the rock band Phish...
, and others. Over 1,500 named fans contributed to the First Edition, with several hundred more augmenting the second.
With over 900 pages and weighing 4.20 pounds, the book features setlists, show notes and statistics on 1,426 live performances; setlists and reviews on nearly 700 sideshows; history and statistics on over 670 songs; detailed notes and advice on various bootlegs in circulation; and a redesigned discography, venues table, tape notes, lyrics index, essays, interviews, poetry, and photography. The second edition's forewords were written by all of the people credited as having taught the members of Phish how to play music. Phish lyricist Tom Marshall
Tom Marshall (singer)
Tom Marshall is a lyricist, keyboardist and singer/songwriter best known for his association with Trey Anastasio and the rock band Phish...
has called the Companion "Truly an epic piece of work."
Sharin' in the Groove
A Phish tribute album, Sharin' in the GrooveSharin' in the Groove
Sharin' in the Groove: Celebrating the Music of Phish is an all-star charity Phish tribute album featuring 23 acts covering 20 Phish songs, all on a volunteer basis, to fund , under the auspices of the Mockingbird Foundation...
, features nearly two hours of music from 23 individual acts including The Wailers, Dave Matthews
Dave Matthews
David John "Dave" Matthews is a South African–born American musician and occasional actor, best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist for the Dave Matthews Band...
, Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffett
James William "Jimmy" Buffett is a singer-songwriter, author, entrepreneur, and film producer. He is best known for his music, which often portrays an "island escapism" lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffett's musical hits include "Margaritaville" , and "Come Monday"...
, John Scofield
John Scofield
John Scofield , often referred to as "Sco," is an American jazz guitarist and composer, who has played and collaborated with Miles Davis, Dave Liebman, Joe Henderson, Charles Mingus, Joey Defrancesco, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell, Pat Martino, Mavis Staples, Phil Lesh, Billy Cobham,...
, Arlo Guthrie
Arlo Guthrie
Arlo Davy Guthrie is an American folk singer. Like his father, Woody Guthrie, Arlo often sings songs of protest against social injustice...
, the Stanford Marching Band
Stanford Band
The Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band is the student marching band of Stanford University. Billing itself as "The World's Largest Rock and Roll Band", the Stanford Band performs at sporting events, student activities, and other functions...
, The Vermont Youth Orchestra, Tom Marshall, as well as members of the Trey Anastasio's band
Trey Anastasio (band)
Since 1998, Trey Anastasio, best known from Phish, has toured and recorded with several backup bands, including several side-projects organized and led by the guitarist and composer. While active, his bands did not officially have a name. Fans commonly referred to them as Trey Anastasio Band, or...
, Jefferson Airplane
Jefferson Airplane
Jefferson Airplane was an American rock band formed in San Francisco in 1965. A pioneer of the psychedelic rock movement, Jefferson Airplane was the first band from the San Francisco scene to achieve mainstream commercial and critical success....
, Talking Heads
Talking Heads
Talking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison...
, and Los Lobos
Los Lobos
Los Lobos are a multiple Grammy Award–winning American Chicano rock band from East Los Angeles, California. Their music is influenced by rock and roll, Tex-Mex, country, folk, R&B, blues, brown-eyed soul, and traditional Spanish and Mexican music such as cumbia, boleros and norteños.-History:The...
. It was produced independently on an all-volunteer basis: none of the artists, managers, studios, or others involved received compensation for their contribution. The tracks are arranged like a live show, including two sets and an encore.