There's a very (very) good chance that you've heard of Snarky Puppy. Led by Michael League, (bassist, composer, producer and well, all around mastermind) this jazz fusion jam band has a well deserved cult following, 2 well deserved Grammy Awards, and a well deserved spot in my ❤️. Not too shabby.
Take a ride on the thrilling rollercoaster called Shofukan 👇🏼. Off their 2014 release called We Like It Here, Shofukan was composed by League and based on the groove of a Tunisian swoon. You'll hear/feel it.
Get ready to mooooove.
❤️
Skip to this...
Right?!? Yes. Now that you're sold, click here :
This clip of a live performance in Austin gives you a glimpse of how well they play together in the sandbox. Their love and appreciation for each other and the music they're making produces a happy symbiotic groove for your brain annnnd booty.
Many of these players are graduates of University of North Texas.
They have performed with such musical super heroes as: Erykah Badu, Marcus Miller, Justin Timberlake, Kirk Franklin, Ari Hoenig, Roy Hargrove, David Crosby, and Snoop Dogg.
And they spread their inspiration as they go.
Snarky Puppy has given over 100 clinics, workshops, and master classes throughout North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. And... with his own imprint (GroundUp Music, under Ropeadope Records), Mike League has signed many unknown artists... giving us delightful musicians like Athens born Magda Giannikou (don't even get me started on Ms. Magda... she gets her own post.)
In case you find yourself hungry to learn more - watch this episode of Jazz Night in America hosted by Christian McBride (Filmed at The Door in Dallas, TX).