NOLA Funk Fest returns to celebrate Louisiana blues
14th October 2024 · 0 Comments
By Emeka Dibia
Contributing Writer
The NOLA Funk Fest returns for a lively three-day celebration from October 18-20, at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. This year’s festival promises a spirited jam session filled with unforgettable experiences, featuring premier artists, engaging symposiums on Louisiana blues, and exclusive events.
Powerhouse supergroup GEOLEO, which includes music legends George Porter Jr. and Leo Nocentelli alongside Stanton Moore and Ivan Neville, will headline the festival, bringing the iconic sounds of The Meters to life. Bounce music sensation Big Freedia, Grammy-nominated Tank and the Bangas, funk band Dumpstaphunk, and blues icons Bobby Rush and Marcia Ball will also take the stage.
Chris Beary, the driving force behind the festival, expressed his enthusiasm not only about NOLA Funk Fest’s return for a second year but also for the music itself.
“Funk is all about the groove – it’s a sound that unites us. When you think about what makes New Orleans special, it’s our music. We have a rich mix woven from various genres, and funk captures that spirit. We want everyone who comes to the festival to feel that energy, to experience how funk can bridge divides and create a vibrant community.”
Tasha Harris, leader of the Original Pinettes Brass Band, echoed Beary’s sentiment.
“I’m definitely excited,” Harris said of the band’s upcoming festival appearance. “I’m glad to see the festival in its second year, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.” Harris highlighted the significance of NOLA Funk as a reflection of the city’s diverse musical heritage. “NOLA Funk is who we are,” she said. “It’s that gumbo, that blend of all the New Orleans music traditions, creating a unique soundscape that reflects our culture.”
While Beary is eager for attendees to enjoy the festival’s live performances, he also encourages festival-goers to take advantage of the other offerings, including the food and beverages and, of course, a blues exhibit and the two Louisiana blues symposiums. Moderated by musicologist David Kunian, the symposiums will delve into the rich history of Louisiana Blues and its ongoing influence on other music genres.
“With the symposiums, we aim to deepen the appreciation for Louisiana blues and funk,” he explained. “It’s crucial to understand the roots of the music – to know who the pioneers were and how their legacies echo through the generations. It’s not just about the performance; it’s about the stories that shape our culture and the future of our music.”
On Saturday (October 19), the “Louisiana blues Harmonica Masters” symposium will highlight harmonica legends including Lazy Lester, Slim Harpo, Little Walter, and Bobby Rush, and explore the impact the harmonica has had on Louisiana Blues. Grammy-winning bluesman Bobby Rush, Johnny Sansone and Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes, “American Routes” host Nick Spitzer, and Grammy-winning music historian Bob Santelli will be featured during this symposium.
The “Women of Louisiana Blues” symposium on Sunday (October 20) will focus on the history and legacies of Louisiana’s women in blues and how they have shaped Louisiana blues. Panelists include the Grammy-winning Queen of New Orleans music Irma Thomas, blues icon Marcia Ball, Grammy-winning producer Scott Billington, NPR host Gwen Thompkins and musicologist Ben Sandmel.
The symposiums will also feature an all-star house band led by legendary bassist George Porter Jr., and joined by John Fohl on guitar, Michael Lemmler on keyboards, and Herlin Riley on drums.
Another highlight of the festival will be the debut of the Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience’s latest exhibit, “Shake Your Hips: Louisiana Blues,” at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. The exhibit will offer a deep dive into the traditions of Louisiana blues and the influence it has had on mainstream American music, an influence the curators assert has too often gone overlooked.
“Shake Your Hips” was jointly curated by author and music historian Bob Santelli, who also curated the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the three Grammy museums, and David Kunian, who also curated the New Orleans Jazz Museum. The immersive exhibit includes never-before-seen artifacts, multimedia displays and new interviews with Louisiana blues greats all brought together to bring Louisiana blues to the forefront.
Ultimately, the goal of the festival is to raise awareness of and funding for the Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience, a museum dedicated to the preservation and celebration of the state’s rich music heritage, especially Louisiana blues – a place where symposiums and exhibits alike can be regularly available to the public.
“The festival serves as a stepping stone toward our vision for the museum, which will tell the comprehensive story of Louisiana music, from Congo Square to today. We want to create a space where people can learn, experience, and appreciate the cultural significance of our musical legacy,” Beary said.
NOLA Funk Fest will take place from 1-9:30 p.m. on October 18 and noon to 9:30 p.m. October 19-20. For more information about NOLA Funk Fest, to see the lineup or to purchase tickets, visit www.nolafunkfest.com.
This article originally published in the October 14, 2024 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
