by rick grant rickgrant01@comcast.net
My double gig night began with viewing Bug at Regal Beach, then traveling a short distance up Beach Blvd. to Mojo’s Blues Kitchen where I checked out Big Sam’s Funky Nation. This force of nature is a taut horn band fronted by Big Sam on trombone with Calvin Johnson on saxophone, Adam Matasar on keys, Doug Dietrich on bass, and Eddie Christmas on drums.
Leader and frontman, Big Sam is a veteran of New Orleans’ legends, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. He joined the DDBB at age 19 and was a favorite of the group’s many gigs around New Orleans and the country. After Katrina, Big Sam founded Funky Nation to book gigs when he wasn’t touring with Elvis Costello or Allen Toussant.
Yes, Big Sam gets around, traveling in big time company. His six-foot-six frame, polished dance moves, and advanced trombone playing effectively leads these funk-n-blues master blasters to glory. Clearly, the Funky Nation consists of experienced well-schooled musicians who can improvise on the band’s various grooves with interesting riffs that never get boring. In other words, this funk machine is rolling thunder fueled by high octane musicianship.
The many musical luminaries with which Big Sam has played include Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Dave Matthews, Ozomatli, and Widespread Panic. At the historic reopening of the Superdome, Big Sam shared the stage with U2 and Green Day which was broadcast live on Monday Night Football.
Remarkably, the group relies on Adam Matasar on keyboards to supply the orchestration, which he does with hot chops, especially on simulated B3. Missing is a guitarist, which would round out the sound, and would have given the band more sizzle, however the group can jam really well without an ax-man.
The band played various songs from their 2006 album Take Me Back, which is a mix of original songs and funk classics. The material is rooted in New Orleans traditions and Cajun ancestry. Between solos, Big Sam engages in New Orleans styled street dancing called “second-line”
BSFN’s high-energy show got the audience at Mojo’s on their feet and dancing. One cool little boy was moved to dance to the music before he collapsed into his mom’s arms, exhausted. Big Sam evokes the joy of music and authentic New Orleans roots with his special animated style.
Before the show, I asked Big Sam how the redevelopment of New Orleans was progressing,“ Well, it’s been slow but the music and spirit is coming back,” he said. Indeed, progress has been painfully slow in the Big Easy after Katrina. But Big Sam and his Funky Nation are dedicated to rejuvenating the City of New Orleans by keeping its music alive–all over the world.
Frankly, I believe that New Orleans will never be like it was before Katrina, but a different city with the old spirit reborn. It’s just too important to our national heritage to let it degenerate into a crime-ridden, shabby city. Big Sam is doing his part to help with the reincarnation of New Orleans. It’s a noble mission.
This summer, Big Sam will be touring with Elvis Costello and Allen Toussant, traveling the European festival circuit for the month of July, 2007. Hey, this cat is the real deal.
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EU Critic’s Choice Awards
