For 2026, we’ve launched a new web series called “Yea, I Was There,” taking short dives into legendary concerts that have passed through Oxford, Mississippi over the last 60 years. We’ll spotlight iconic shows—from B.B. King and Bob Dylan to Fugazi, R.E.M., and countless Proud Larry’s gigs—along with streaming links and videos when available.

We’re also looking for your stories and memorabilia, so if you were there (or still have the poster or T-shirt), email us and help keep Oxford’s music history alive.

 

Medeski, Martin, and Wood, a jazz fusion trio from Brooklyn, formed in the early 1990’s by John Medeski, Billy Martin, and Chris Wood. In the mid-1990’s the band could be considered part of the jam band scene of the time. The band was also popular with deep jazz heads, and released a string of albums on famous jazz label, Blue Note Records.

Medeski, Martin, and Wood stopped in Oxford twice for gigs at Proud Larry’s on October 9, 1995 and again on April 11, 1996.

In 1995 MMW was on a long tour through America, playing lots of shows in the southeast. The Larry’s show in 1995 took place on October 9th. Just a few weeks later the band would open for Phish in New Orleans, cementing their inclusion in the jam band scene of the mid-1990’s over the hardcore jazz scene of NYC. The band released its third album, Friday Afternoon in the Universe, earlier in January 1995.

October 9, 1995 SETLIST: Oscillation > Beeah, Last Chance To Dance Trance (Perhaps), Think > Improv > The Lover > Dracula > Henduck, Jelly Belly > Is There Anybody Here That Love My Jesus, Chubb Sub

You can download the 1995 show here.

In 1996 the band was on tour gearing up for the release of their fourth album, Shack Man, which would drop later in the fall on October 15, 1996. The band was also part of the H.O.R.D.E. festival tour in the summer of 1996, which featured Dave Matthews Band, Blues Traveler, Lenny Kravitz, Rusted Root, and others. The show at Proud Larry’s was one of the smaller venues that the band played in 1996.

There was a lot more information circulating on the 1996 stop in Oxford, which makes us think the band had grown in popularity since stopping in Oxford the year before in 1995. This popularity, no doubt, came from more exposure from the jam band scene of the time. You can see the concert poster for the October 1995 hanging in Proud Larry’s today.

The Daily Mississippian interviewed Chris Wood before the April 1996 show:

April 11, 1996 SETLIST: Macha > Last Chance To Dance Trance (Perhaps), Organ Intro > Jelly Belly > Is There Anybody Here That Love My Jesus, Think, Oscillation > Open Improv > Chinoiserie, Bass Solo > Chubb Sub Encore: Crosstown Traffic

You can download this show here. 

You can hear the entire 1996 show via Youtube:

Here’s a review from a MMW fan site/archive by a guy named, Dug: 

Just the trio all night on this gig, with Macha always being a great groove to get a show going and contrasting nicely with LCTDT(P). The Organ Intro lead into Jelly Belly is becoming more regular, and is a cool way to get it going with the way Chris’ bassline slinks in smoothly under the organ, followed by its ever usual companion, ITAHTLMJ. And Think lays out some groovey thought as we head towards the closing portion of the set. Oscillation starts a cool 2nd half but quickly dissolves into some Open Improv space which they explore for some time before Chinoiserie slams in and gets you dancing again. Classic Bass Solo > Chubb Sub closer, and a Crosstown encore. Another choice ’96 gig in the bag. enjoy the grooves, dug