Merl Saunders was an American keyboardist and vocalist who was known for his jazz-funk fusion style. He was a member of the Grateful Dead from 1971 to 1974, and he collaborated with Jerry Garcia on several projects. Saunders also released several solo albums, including Heavy Turbulence in 1972 and Blues from the Rainforest in 1989. He was an influential figure in the San Francisco music scene and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.