Saunders, 75, played in his own band, Merl Saunders & Friends, and joined in on several Jerry Garcia projects, such as The Legion of Mary and Reconstruction. He also played with Mike Bloomfield, Sheila E., David Grisman, Bonnie Raitt, B.B. King, Miles Davis, Phish and others, and was known to pop in for guest appearances at S.F. clubs.