"Album is perhaps the band's most fully realized work today, a simmering mélange of the many styles of music that make New Orleans the heart and soul of American culture: funk, jazz, brass bands, bounce, rap, R&B, and even rock and roll." - Glide
"Big Sam's Funky Nation has gained a well-deserved reputation for delivering animated live shows filled with songs that draw on funk, jazz, rock, and hip-hop to remain locked in audience members' heads for weeks to come." - Relix
"Dance-friendly, spirited funk." - Jambands.com
"As a globe-trotting ambassador for a city devastated by Hurricane Katrina, the band is a testament to the healing power of music and culture." - Houstonia Magazine
New Orleans-based funk band Big Sam's Funky Nation release the video for their new track "PokeChop" today which premiered on Glide. The lively and colorful video on the streets of New Orleans is the perfect companion to the song's simmering beat punctuated by seventies-style synths that give way to lively horns, handclaps and howls. "PokeChop" is off the band's upcoming album Songs in the Key of Funk to be released on May 4, 2018 tying into their performance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. PRESS HEREÂ to watch and PRESS HERE to pre-order the album.
"I wanted the video to reflect the song. The dancing, the colors, the vibe... everything is how it should be. This is my first video ever, so I'm pretty excited about it! Funk is well & alive!" - Big Sam
Big Sam's Funky Nation recently released their first track "Buzzin,'" off the upcoming album which premiered on Relix. The song shimmies from talkbox into swaggering clean guitars, all while painting a vivid picture of hot and heavy love at first sight on the dance floor. PRESS HERE to listen
Tying into the release of the album and their performance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Big Sam's Funky Nation will also be hosting an album release party and show at Blue Nile on May 4, 2018. PRESS HERE to purchase tickets.
Against the backdrop of Crescent City, Big Sam's Funky Nation released five fan favorite albums and quietly developed a devout following. Powered by jaw-dropping technical talent and uncontainable energy on stage, their performances have become the stuff of legend. Big Sam ensures you're not just a part of the crowd, but "a part of the showdancing and singing along." Beyond standout sets at the likes of Voodoo Music + Experience and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the band has performed at Bonnaroo, SXSW, and Austin City Limits, to name a few.
"Big Sam" Williams (trombone, lead vocals), Drew Baham (trumpet, vocals), Jerry Henderson (bass), Keenan McRae (guitar), Alfred Jordan (drums), and Kendrick Marshall (keys) are also gearing up to go on tour and are performing at various festivals this summer.
Stay tuned for more new music and in the meantime, for more info on Big Sam's Funky Nation, please visit www.bigsamsfunkynation.com
Upcoming Shows April 20 Dallas, TX @ The Kessler April 21 Austin, TX @ Antone's April 25 New Orleans, LA @ Wednesday At The Square May 3 New Orleans, LA @ New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival May 4 New Orleans, LA @ Blue Nile (CD Release Party) May 7 New Orleans, LA @ Maple Leaf May 11 Covington, LA @ Columbia Street Tap Room May 16 Hermosa Beach, CA @ Saint Rocke May 17 Las Vegas, NV @ Brooklyn Bowl May 18 San Diego, CA @ Winston's Beach Club May 19 San Luis Obispo, CA @ SLO Jazz Festival May 21 Irving, TX @ Big Beat Dallas May 23 Mobile, AL @ The Merry Widow May 24 Gainesville, FL @ High Dive May 25 Tampa, FL @ Crowbar Live Music May 26 Boca Raton, FL @ The Funky Biscuit May 27 Jacksonville, FL @ 1904 Music Hall June 1 Amagansett, NY @ The Stephen Talkhouse June 2-3 Augusta, NJ @ Michael Arnone's Crawfish Festival June 7 Charlotte, NC @ River Jam - U.S. Whitewater Center June 8 Durham, NC @ Motorco Music Hall June 9 Asheville, NC @ Xpand Fest June 15 Albuquerque, NM @ ABQ BioPark Zoo June 16 Taos, NM @ Taos Mesa Brewing June 22 Norfolk, VA @ Bayou Boogaloo & Cajun Festival June 23 Washington, DC @ The Hamilton Live June 24 Pittsburgh, PA @ Jergels June 26 Ann Arbor, MI @ Ann Arbor Summer Festival July 4 Nederland, CO @ Caribou Room July 5 Denver, CO @ Globe Hall July 6 Telluride, CO @ Sheridan Opera House July 7 Basalt, CO @ The Temporary July 12 Tyler, TX @ Stanley's Famous Pit Barbecue July 13 Arlington, TX @ Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts Aug 3 San Francisco, CA @ The Independent Aug 4 Mammoth Lakes, CA @ Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza Aug 6 Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios Aug 7 Seattle, WA @ Nectar Lounge Aug 8 Bend, OR @ Volcanic Theatre Pub Aug 10 Crystal Bay, NV @ Crystal Bay Club Aug 11 Belden, CA @ For The Funk of it Fest Aug 12 San Jose, CA @ San Jose Jazz Summer Fest Aug 18 Salem, MA @ Salem Jazz and Soul Festival Aug 19 South Burlington, VT @ Showcase Lounge Aug 23 Hartford, CT @ Infinity Music Hall Aug 24 Holyoke, MA @ Gateway City Arts Aug 31-Sept 1 Charleston, RI @ Rhythm and Roots Festival Sept 2 Westport, CT @ Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts Sept 13 Evanston, IL @ SPACE Sept 14 St. Louis, MO @ Old Rock House Sept 15 Lawrence, KS @ Lied Center of Kansas Sept 21 Atlanta, GA @ Venkman's Sept 22 Charleston, SC @ The Charleston Pour House Sept 28-Oct 1 Queensland, Australia @ Caloundra Music Festival Nov 11 Stillwater, OK @ Oklahoma State University
