Long Beach, CA – Home grown culture and music series Summer and Music (SAM), co-produced by the Downtown Long Beach Associates (DLBA), is gearing up for the fifth annual Long Beach Funk Fest (LBFF) on Saturday July 6 by highlighting a few of its notable acts. Justin Hectus, co-founder of SAM and LBFF, explains, “We like to showcase a combination of very well-known acts and more underground, or up-and-coming talent. This lineup offers a nice balance that equally appeals to the casual Funk fan and the more devoted aficionado.”
Organizers are eager to welcome Funk legend Shuggie Otis to LBFF, as it is extremely rare for him to perform in the Los Angeles area. Otis joins the event after releasing a double album earlier this year -- his first new music in almost two decades. He is considered a master of his craft and has played with legendary musicians Etta James and Frank Zappa.
Event organizers are also excited to bring the Bernie Worrell Orchestra to this year’s festival. Bernie Worrell is a co-founding member of original P-Funk as well as master keyboardist, co-writer, and co-producer of many notable funk songs. He has also played with the Talking Heads and worked with countless other artists spanning multiple genres. Bobby Easton, founder of Long Beach Funk Fest, stated he was thrilled to have Worrell in the lineup adding, “Even if you don't recognize his name, believe me, you will definitely recognize his music!”
LBFF will also feature The Blackbyrds, a jazz-funk fusion group formed in Washington, D.C. in 1973 whose members were students of the late jazz trumpeter Donald Byrd. They are known for highly sampled hits, including “Rock Creek Park,” “Happy Music,” and “Walking in Rhythm.”
Adding variety to the LBFF stage will be local favorite Sea Funk Brass Band, who perform a form of brass band Funk popular in New Orleans called second line. “Sea Funk‘s style is such a great mix of past and present. Their music will make LB Funk Fest feel like a celebration,” adds Hectus.
There will be additional performances by Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band, Circle City Band, Jungle Fire, Henry + the Invisibles, and Funk Angels.
Rickey Vincent, author of the definitive book on Funk titled Funk: The Music, the People and the Rhythm of the One, and LBFF’s emcee, shared his enthusiasm for the acts, noting “I am so excited for this year’s Funk Fest. We are going to feature the sublime groove masters Charles Wright, the Blackbyrds, the legendary guitarist Shuggie Otis, and P-Funk Hall of Fame legend Bernie Worrell and his fresh new band, Bernie Worrell Orchestra. Funk Fest is always full of funky surprises that make it the place to be each summer!”
LBFF will take place Saturday, July 6 from noon to 11 p.m. at the Downtown Long Beach Promenade (east of Pine Avenue between 1st & 3rd Streets). To complement the musical acts, LBFF will offer several DJs, dance performances, two beer gardens (presented by Beachwood BBQ & Brewing and Congregation Ale House), and a variety of on-site activities and vendors, including a the Kids Zone of Funktivity.
Harvelle’s, a blues club located adjacent to the festival at 207 E. Broadway, will host additional funk performers throughout the day and the post-event after party and jam session.
$15 presale tickets can be purchased at www.lbfunkfest.com or in person at Fingerprints Music (420 E. 4th Street Long Beach). Tickets will also be available at the gate for $20.
For more information about LBFF or the entire SAM series, call the DLBA at 562.436.4259 or visit www.summerandmusic.com.