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BIOGRAPHYBig Sam's Funky Nation have established their presence on the forefront of the New Orleans music scene. Trombone powerhouse and band leader "Big Sam" Williams, formerly of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, has been celebrated as "the top man on the slide trombone in the birthplace of jazz" by the San Francisco Chronicle and the band has been touted for consistently "bringing a straight raw party" by Jambase. Big Sam's Funky Nation is a festival favorite across North America and their contagious tunes and memorable live performances have attracted fans far and wide, ranging from France, to the United Kingdom, to Greece, to Germany, to Brazil, to Canada. BSFN is a favorite on the festival circuit and has sealed its mark on the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage, Bonnaroo Arts & Music Festival, Gathering of the Vibes, Austin City Limits, Telluride Blues & Brews, Doheny Blues Festival, Wakarusa, Voodoo Music Experience, Bear Creek Music & Arts Festival, LEAF & many more. The momentum BSFN has accumulated as they continue to tour in support of their fourth and most prolific album to date, King Of The Party. Be on the lookout for BSFN's masterful blend of a rock, with an improv-style associated with jazz and a horn-heavy front section that's the hallmark of funk. The energy level is always high voltage when BSFN takes the stage. |
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KING OF THE PARTY
Big Sam's Funky Nation's fourth album, King of the Party, extends Big Sam's reign beyond the kingdom of Funk! This Hypersoul Records release embodies the full of life and celebratory attitude of band's hometown of New Orleans, and adds to it a funk-charged, rock n' roll, jazz and hip-hop infused vibe.
The title track and anthem, "King of the Party," declares that the party has arrived. The energetic drumming and gritty guitar work lay it down for Big Sam's funky trombone to blow you away as he flexes his musical muscle and takes on new musical territory. Big Sam wants you to dance, and sets out to do so with high energy and playful Parliament Funkadelic-inspired funk-rock jams like "Krunked Up" and "Rage On!"
The album takes a turn to a more soulfully-inspired groove with "Rock Yo Soul." A powerful drum intro, heavy guitar and bass lines underlie Big Sam's deep trombone in this funk-laden tribute to the classic rock gods such as Sabbath, Hendrix, and the Rolling Stones.
BSFN allows you to catch your breath with "Take 5," then pushes forward full-throttle with driving and upbeat rendition of Otis Redding's "Hard to Handle." The straight BSFN party continues with horn heavy funk tracks "Big Ole Booty" and "Work It."
If you've ever seen BSFN live, you know exactly what Sam is talking about with "See Me Dance." The horn-heavy song swings into a bouncy beat and breaks it down to the nitty gritty-- Big Sam is a dancing machine and you'd better be ready to shake too it when you come to a live show.
King of the Party closes strong with "Dance Floor," an electronic funk track with lively vocals that could make a robot second line. King of the Party is full of pure musical energy and transcends the confines of homegrown New Orleans funk to a momentous blend of funk, rock, R&B and jazz that will keep the party going all night.
TRACK LISTING
1. King Of The Party
2. Krunked Up
3. Rage On!
4. Straight To It
5. Rock Yo Soul
6. Take 5
7. Hard To Handle
8. Big Ole Booty
9. See Me Dance
10. Work It
11. Dance Floor
"On King Of The Party, Big Sam's Funky nation blends slamming, guitar-driven rock and schmaltzy dance grooves with New Orleans funk. Big Sam Williams, a former trombonist with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, has one goal: to get your ass out on the dance floor. The title track is as heavy as it gets - a floor shaking bassline fleshe out with wailing Slash-like guitar solos. Krunked Up makes reference to the original slang of the word, and would make a fantastic blaxploitation film track or lost Soul Train classic. Take 5 is a slow, trombone waltz, while Otis Redding's Hard to Handle is reclaimed from the Black Crowes for the dance floor. Big Ole Booty is the best track - a funky horn blaring ode intended to get your baby's backside going round and round."
Bill Clifford
Relix Magazine
August 2010
"From the first note you know Big Sam is in the house and he’s the King of the Party, bringing the funky rhythms and incredible cool jams. This CD is freakin’ AWESOME!"
Sheri McKee
Where Y'at Magazine
May 2010
"King of the Party works because Big Sam knows who he is as a musician and embraces it. His charisma, exuberance and sense of joy translate to the album, which is good because they keep you hooked..."
Alex Rawls
Offbeat Magazine
May 2010
"If there was a name for what BSFN has created, it's Noladelic. At its heaviest, the band can hold its own with any of the dinosaur rockers of old. But when the sound starts to move forward and twist the beat around those complex horn lines and head-exploding guitar leads, something completely alien to traditional funk and rock pops out and makes you want to dance."
Dwanye Fatherree
NewOrleans.com
April 2010
"The party kicks off with Big Sam asserting himself as get-down royalty over a solid mix of massive drums, wailing guitars and blasting horns on the title track, and doesn’t really let up until the last track fades from the speakers. In between, you’re treated to flashes of James Brown funk, Parliament space-trips and vocal effects, second-line rhythms, and even a tasty cover Otis Redding’s “Hard to Handle.” Just as other New Orleans bands like the Dirty Dozen and Bonerama have worked to expand their musical boundaries outside the city’s confines, Big Sam’s Funky Nation have embraced the party-all-the-time dance machine ethos and work it until the sweat drips.
"In short, Big Sam IS the King of the Party, and you’re invited."
Curtis Lynch
Playgrounds Magazine
May 2010
[BSFN] showcased all the best New Orleans party styles, from second-lines to disco jams. In fact, no genre seems too “Hard to Handle” for the Funky Nation."
Arielle Schecter
NOLA Defender
June 2010
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| Peace, Love, and Understanding (2008) |
Take Me Back (2006) |
Birth Of A Nation (2003) |
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MEDIA
audio • download all
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1. KRUNKED UP • download |
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video
pictures • download all
credit: Andy Goetz |
credit: Andy Goetz |
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logos • download all
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| Logo | Logo 2 (transparent) | Admat (Old) | Admat (New) |
promotional • download all
1. Biography - Short & Long-form • download
2. Info/One-Sheet • download
3. Press Kit • download
4. Discography • download
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LINKS
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 press kit |
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CONTACT
BOOKING INQUIRIES
Kristine Marshall at International Creative Management (ICM)
KMarshall@icmtalent.com
MANAGEMENT & PUBLICITY
Tony Ciaccio at Hypersoul LLC
Tony@h-soul.com
Ph.(504) 301-4600
229 N. Genois St. New Orleans, LA 70119