His fingers scaled the keyboard like magic dust relocating me into the depths of vast vegetation and wilderness. The keys form drops of rain, a sprinkle at first, then fast, hard droplets began to melt on my skin as my body moved to the beat of Merl Saunders’ musical fire.

My dance was tribal, native, almost animalistic and suddenly the bass grabbed my soul and took me to a level beyond imagination a musical high beyond the need for chemicals reached through following the lead of a psychedelic pied piper.

After opening my eyes I saw the fire was shared with the Saunders’ contingent of youthful Deadhead followers, all sharing the high for which Saunders, a longtime friend of the late Jerry Garcia, strives.

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A lot of kids were left wondering what to do with their time after the death of Jerry, said Saunders, who will take the stage 10 p.m. Sunday at the Copper Dragon Brewing Co., 700 E. Grand Ave., with The Rainforest Band. They had to look elsewhere for musical inspiration and came to me.

All I can tell them is, Let’s get high on music.’ A native of San Francisco, Saunders has become as well known as the Golden Gate Bridge. His friends and fans range from young to old and come from every walk of life, but the music behind the words of this environmental advocate are aimed at youth.

It is the young that can make a difference, Saunders said. That’s who is going to change the environment and who’s going to help stop the destruction of our forests.

Saunders’ life was drastically changed in 1992 after his visit to the Amazon Rain Forest. There he saw the destruction of the forest and its effect on the people of the region, causing him to be an active supporter of the Rainforest Action Network.

No one wanted me to go, but it was in a dream I had to go, Saunders said. I went and it shocked the hell out of me. It was amazing.

His experience led to the making of his album Fiesta Amazonica, an extension from Saunders’ 1990 new age chart topper Blues from the Rainforest.

Fiesta Amazonica captures the essence of the rain forest through its nine-song collection and contains tracks with two lost comrades Garcia and Saunders’ cousin Eddie Moore.

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Saunders, a musical chameleon, has jammed with the finest artists of the 20th century, including Harry Belafonte, Lionel Hampton, Miles Davis, B.B. King, Sonny Stitt and of course his beloved confidant Garcia.

Spending time with the greats of the music industry gives Saunders chills when he recaptures the moments of playing with old friends, but nevertheless Saunders prefers time alone.

I enjoy being alone, walking on the coast by myself, said Saunders. I’m always with people and I cherish the time I can spend in peaceful solitude.

This gentle aura and radiant light coupled with the professional and funky playing style of Merl Saunders and his ever-loyal Jessica, his 1962 Hammond B3 organ captivates audiences to an elated plane.

If I can make my audience cry or make them happy, it gets me totally high, Saunders said.

A musically intoxicated Merl Saunders, who recently spent the holidays with Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh, laughed when asked about a rumor of a 1998 summer tour by The Grateful Dead.

I’ve heard the same. The rumor is definitely around, he said. If you find any more information, let me know.

So anyone out there who may know this inside information can look for Saunders in his signature leather cap, boots and tie-dye Sunday at the Copper Dragon.

Factoid:Tickets for Merl Saunders and The Rainforest Band are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. For information, call 549-2319.