NRN Radio – JamFest Wednesday Nights at 9PM EST

Featured Show: Animal Liberation Orchestra & The Free Range Horns vs. L.A.G.

About the Feature:
Every Wednesday night at 9PM EST, NRN Radio’s JamFest dives into the archives of jam-band history with a spotlight on Animal Liberation Orchestra & The Free Range Horns vs. L.A.G. This showcase highlights the origins of one of California’s most beloved jam collectives, tracing their journey from a sprawling brass-fueled ensemble to the tighter, more focused quartet that would later gain international recognition as ALO.

Animal Liberation Orchestra & The Free Range Horns

• Description: A nine-piece ensemble formed in Santa Barbara, California.

• Style: Brass-heavy jam band sound, blending improvisation with vibrant, high-energy live shows.

• Key Members: Zach Gill (keys, vocals), Dan Lebowitz (guitar), and Steve Adams (bass) — the core musicians who would later form the foundation of ALO.

L.A.G.

• Description: The streamlined version of the band after paring down from the larger horn-driven lineup.

• Significance: The name L.A.G. is an acronym for Lebowitz, Adams, Gill — both a nod to the members’ surnames and their hometown roots in Saratoga, California.

• Legacy: This trio represented the early DNA of what would eventually become the internationally touring ALO under Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Records label.

ALO vs. LAG – The Album (1998)

• Release: Self-produced and independently released in 1998.

• Details: A homemade debut album that captures the group’s raw jam-band beginnings.

• Significance: This project stands as the pivotal transition point—documenting the big-band energy of Animal Liberation Orchestra & The Free Range Horns while introducing the more streamlined L.A.G. sound. It represents the bridge between their Santa Barbara jam-scene roots and the polished, label-backed version of ALO that would later emerge.

Why It Matters

ALO vs. LAG isn’t just a rare recording—it’s a historical bookmark for jam-band fans, showing how a beloved nine-piece horn ensemble distilled into a leaner, sharper quartet without losing their improvisational spirit. The show offers a chance to revisit the raw, formative years of musicians who went on to tour globally, while staying true to their jam roots.

👉 TuneIn every Wednesday at 9PM EST on NRN Radio’s JamFest to experience Animal Liberation Orchestra & The Free Range Horns vs. L.A.G. and trace the evolution of a jam-band powerhouse.