No strangers to the pain of a hurricane strike, New Orleans’ all-star funk ensemble Dumpstaphunk will bring some much needed smiles and never before seen collaborations to New York City tonight Nov. 5 at the Highline Ballroom. Starting around 9 p.m., the renowned funksters will be joined by a slew of special guests, including Bela Fleck, Luther Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars, Amy Helm of the Levon Helm Band, Scott Metzger, Eric Krasno of Soulive and a DJ set by Questlove, with all profits benefiting hurricane relief efforts in the Northeast.
Dumpstaphunk is a poignant headliner for the finale show since the New Orleans-bred group experienced the devastation of hurricane Katrina first hand in 2005. The band since channeled that struggle into songs like “Meanwhile…” and “Put It In the Dumpsta” and knows all about rallying behind a city in need. “Our heart goes out to everyone that’s struggling through this,” said Ivan Neville, Dumpstaphunk’s keyboardist and band leader. “We’re blessed to play some music for these people, and maybe put a smile on somebody’s face in times of trouble.”
New York marks the finale of the HeadCount Participation Tour, which began as a voter awareness tour with fellow New Orleans rocker Anders Osborne. The tour started in Baltimore 11/2, then went to Philadelphia 11/3 and Washington, D.C. 11/4 with the tour ending in New York on Election Eve. Special guests Keller Williams joined Dumpstaphunk and Anders Osborne on stage in DC at the Howard Theatre, with John Kadlecik of Further sitting in with Anders Osborne at both the Baltimore and DC shows. Anders Osborne will not perform at the New York Finale due to personal reasons.
Tonight’s show at the Highline Ballroom offers a melting pot of some of the most acclaimed names in the jam scene, backed by the funkiest house band a fan could ask for. Highlights will include a first-time collaboration with Dumpstaphunk and Bela Fleck, as well as many more pairings and sit ins throughout the evening. For more information, visit www.headcount.org.
Put it in the Dumpsta
Meanwhile
Tickets:
General Admission: $35
VIP Balcony: $100
VIP Table: $250
About Dumpstaphunk
Formed during the 2003 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Dumpstaphunk has evolved from keyboardist Ivan Neville’s chance side-project into what is widely considered to be one of the nation’s most prestigious modern funk ensembles. An offspring with a direct lineage to their fathers in The Meters and The Neville Brothers, Dumpstaphunk sets the new standard for an entire genre.
Ivan and Ian‚ the sons of Neville Brothers Aaron and Art Neville respectively‚ create a dirty funk that resonates organically from their souls as true kin of the legendary New Orleans family. Ivan sets the keys on fire front and center, playing artfully off of the double bass attack of both Nick Daniels and Tony Hall on bass, with the scorching guitar rhythms of cousin Ian Neville, and the group’s newest addition in heavy-hitting female protégé Nikki Glaspie on drums.
Funk favorites on the festival and live touring circuit, Dumpstaphunk has unleashed notable performances at some of the nation’s largest music extravaganzas throughout 2012, including Bonnaroo, JamCruise, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Wanee, Hornings Hideout, Electric Forest, Japan’s Fuji Rock Festival, Peach Music Festival, Equifunk and more, with appearances atDeluna, Yonder Mountain’s Harvest Music Festival and Bear Creek yet to come.
Dumpstaphunk will release their third studio album, Dirty Word, early winter 2013. Recorded in New Orleans’ infamous Music Shed Studios, the ensemble’s newest creation will feature appearances by Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Trombone Shorty, Rebirth Brass Band and Art Neville, as Dumpstaphunk collectively pushes the envelope with a progressive funk sound that continues to define the sound of New Orleans. For more information, visit www.dumpstaphunk.com.
