The Funk Sessions will head to New Orleans next month for a special performance at the Toulouse Theatre during the first weekend of Jazz Fest. Set for Saturday, April 29th at 1:00 a.m. (technically early morning April 30th), this special Big Easy edition of the long-running Denver super-jam series will feature members of Lettuce, Galactic, Soulive, and more. Tickets are available here.
The lineup for the New Orleans installment of The Funk Sessions includes a mix of New Orleans locals and Fest by Nite veterans including Eric Krasno (guitar, vocals; Soulive, Krasno/Moore Project), Stanton Moore (drums; Galactic, Krasno/Moore Project), Eric “Benny” Bloom (trumpet; Lettuce), Wil Blades (keyboards; Eric Krasno & The Assembly), and Skerik (saxophone; Garage-A-Trois, Les Claypool).
The members of the lineup are all well-acquainted, with interconnected creative relationships dating back decades. Krasno and Moore’s quarter-century connection recently blossomed into the Krasno/Moore Project, which just released its debut album, Book of Queens, an organ trio tribute to towering female musicians including Amy Winehouse, Nina Simone, H.E.R., Kacey Musgraves, and more. Krasno and Bloom spent years playing side-by-side in Lettuce, which Eric co-founded in 1992. San Francisco organ wizard Wil Blades has been a secret weapon for various Krasno and Moore projects through the years, most recently as the organist for Eric Krasno & The Assembly. Meanwhile, Blades and Bloom have recorded and toured together as part of the Adam Deitch Quartet and other outfits, and Stanton Moore and Skerik have co-founded a slew of bands like Garage A Trois, Emerald Quintet. Fans may have also Stanton and Skerik connect on special occasions with all-star projects like Les Claypool‘s Bastard Jazz.
The Funk Sessions have been taking place in Denver for years with a rotating cast of musicians from all around the country, but the collaborative spirit of the New Orleans during Jazz Fest has always been the series’ guiding principle. This year will mark The Funk Sessions’ sophomore journey to New Orleans following a successful debut at The Maison in 2019, but funk luminaries from NOLA and beyond have always frequented the shows. Below, watch a full video of a 2019 running of The Funk Sessions in Denver featuring George Porter Jr. (The Meters) and surprise guest Mike Gordon (Phish) on bass.
The Funk Sessions – Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom – Denver, CO – 8/30/19 – Full Video [Pro-Shot]
Tickets for The Funk Sessions at the Toulouse Theatre in New Orleans featuring Eric Krasno, Stanton Moore, Eric “Benny” Bloom, Wil Blades, and Skerik on April 29th (technically early 4/30) are now on sale here. Scroll down for complete show details.
The Funk Sessions is the latest announcement as part of Live For Live Music’s Fest by Nite series during New Orleans Jazz Fest 2023. The series will get started during weekend one of Jazz Fest with The Soul Rebels with special guest GZA (Wu-Tang Clan) at Toulouse Theatre (Friday, 4/28, 9:00 p.m.); The Nth Power‘s Tribute to The Gap Band featuring members of Dumpstaphunk and more at Toulouse Theatre (Friday, 4/28, 1:30 a.m.), TAUK‘s Parliament-Funkadelic vs. Sly and the Family Stone celebration featuring Kanika Moore, Antwaun Stanley, and The Horn Section at Toulouse Theatre (Saturday, 4/29, 9:00 p.m.); and more.
During the “Daze Between” Jazz Fest’s two weekends, music fans in New Orleans can also take part in the fun at Daze Between New Orleans, a two-day music festival at Faubourg Brewery on Tuesday, May 2nd and Wednesday, May 3rd featuring four sets of Goose over two nights in addition to performances by Tank and the Bangas, Lawrence, Neal Francis, David Shaw, George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners, Eggy, Melt, Honey Island Swamp Band, J & The Causeways, and The Quickening. A portion of proceeds from the Daze Between New Orleans will benefit New Orleans nonprofit organizations via Rex Foundation. Find ticketing information via the festival website.
The Fest by Nite programming will continue through the “Daze Between” and into weekend two with Daze by Nite featuring members of Lettuce, Lawrence, Dumpstaphunk, and more with Eggy at The Howlin’ Wolf (Tuesday, 5/2); The Daze Between Band at Tipitina’s (Wednesday, 5/3 – SOLD OUT); a Steely Dan Tribute featuring members of Cool Cool Cool, The Nth Power, The Motet, and more at The Howlin’ Wolf (Thursday, May 4th, 1:00 a.m.); Poppa Funk & The Night Tripper: A Tribute to Art Neville & Dr. John at The Civic Theatre (Friday, 5/5, 9:00 p.m.); two nights of The Disco Biscuits at the Mahalia Jackson Theater (Friday, May 5th and Saturday, May 6th); an LP Giobbi Dead House Dead & Company after-party at The Howlin’ Wolf (Saturday, May 6th, 9:00 p.m.); and Worship My Organ at The Howlin’ Wolf featuring John Medeski, Adam Deitch, Wil Blades, and Skerik (Saturday, May 6th, 1:00 a.m.).
Check out the gallery below for a running list of concerts included in the 2023 edition of Live For Live Music’s Fest by Nite series in New Orleans during Jazz Fest. For an updating list of announcements and ticketing details, head here. Follow Live For Live Music on social media to stay updated on new additions to the series as Jazz Fest approaches.
***SHOW INFO***
Show: Live For Live Music Presents: The Funk Sessions
Band: Eric Krasno (Lettuce), Stanton Moore (Galactic), Eric “Benny” Bloom (Lettuce), Wil Blades (Eric Krasno & The Assembly), Skerik (Garage A Trois)
Date: Saturday, April 29th (technically early a.m. 4/30)
Venue: Toulouse Theatre – 615 Toulouse Street, New Orleans, LA
Time: Doors 1:00 a.m. / Music 1:45 a.m.
Tickets: General Admission (Advance): $30–$35 / General Admission (Day of Show): $40 / VIP: $70
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