Hailing from the Mecca of jam music, one would assume that San Francisco-based Tea Leaf Green would have no other choice but to follow in the musical history of its city. The band, however, is far from your average jam band. While they exhibit some of the same tendencies of The Grateful Dead, they actually sound more like a cross between The Band, Phish and even 70s funk. While they rotate set lists, play covers, tour constantly and improvise as much as possible, they also know how to use the studio.

Last year’s critically acclaimed Taught to Be Proud has drawn comparisons to The Grateful Dead’s classic album, American Beauty, due to its rootsy, organic sound. The album’s upbeat, catchy title track even garnered the band a nomination for song of the year at April’s Jammy awards.

In 2005, several jam legends “anointed” Tea Leaf Green. This year, the band shared the stage with Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir, Phish’s Trey Anastasio and Govt Mule. Before playing at Baltimore’s 8×10 Club Sunday night, the band’s current tour took them to Falls Church, Va.’s State Theatre March 8. Tea Leaf Green took the stage and played a very fiery and impressive first fest, with the fans eating up the music.

Its highlight was the anthem-like closer ‘Morning Sun.’ Keyboardist and lead vocalist Trevor Garrod was ‘feeling it’ from the crowd, feeding off its energy. Repeatedly, he got up from his seat to belt out vocals in true rock-star fashion. The second set was more experimental, featuring guitarist Josh Clark stretching out his fret board for more extended jams.

The group also brought the funk, courtesy of bassist Ben Chambers and drummer Scott Rager. The band re-emerged for an encore of slower keyboard-driven songs, contrasting the high-energy rock of the first and second sets.

Tea Leaf Green performs Sunday, March 12, at the 8×10 Club in Baltimore. Tickets are $10 and the show is 18+. Doors are at 7 p.m. with The Brakes scheduled to open. For more information call (410) 625-2000.

By Rudi Greenberg