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SNARKY PUPPY


BIO:
With the release of their live, 2-disc album/DVD "Tell Your Friends" (Ropeadope Records), Snarky Puppy has gone from an underground secret to one of the most internationally respected names in instrumental music. The 3-time Dallas Observer Music Award winning group ("Best Jazz Act" 2008, 2009, 2010) has, over the last four years of touring, gained a reputation for putting on a live show unparalleled in energy, virtuosity, and musicianship. They seamlessly fuse a deep knowledge and respect for musical tradition with sonic and conceptual innovation in a way that is able to reach the most critical- or most carefree- audience. It is, in its physical makeup, a group of musicians from two different cultures and traditions- jazz and rock kids from white America, and gospel/R&B kids from black America. This convergence, which occurred while the band was in its adolescence at the University of North Texas, has naturally established a series of combinations and a system of balance that instantly draws listeners to the music- raw funk and sensitive dynamics, relentless pocket and lyrical melodicism, lush harmony and soulful simplicity, and most importantly, a delicate mixture of composition and improvisation. Snarky Puppy is somewhere between a garage band and a collective, with over 25 players in regular rotation. The core of the group, which remains consistent, features Grammy Award-winners Robert "Sput" Searight on drums (God's Property, Snoop Dogg) and Shaun Martin on keys (Kirk Franklin, Erykah Badu). Its other members are mainstays with artists like Erykah Badu, Marcus Miller, P Diddy Dirty Money, The Polyphonic Spree, Snoop Dogg, Roy Hargrove's RH Factor, Morcheeba, Tower of Power, Ari Hoenig/Adam Rogers, Kenny Garrett, Yo-Yo Ma, Lucy Woodward, and Bilal, among many more. The group was conceived and is held together by award-winning bassist/guitarist/composer/arranger Michael League, whose creative grass-roots approach to a tougher-than-ever industry has created a most unique musical animal. It is a three-headed creature: first, and most obviously- an original music ensemble. Second- a production team and session band for individual artists. Third, and probably most importantly- Snarky Puppy is a group of musicians unanimously and enthusiastically committed to music education and community outreach. Working with groups like ROAM (Roots Of American Music) in inner city Cleveland and the Music Lab at Jefferson Center in Roanoke, as well as giving clinics at over 40 colleges, high schools, and middle schools worldwide, the band has made a strong commitment to spreading a love of music and general positivity to a young generation looking for something real to hold on to. Currently, Snarky Puppy is touring to prepare for their next live, in-studio album/DVD, to be recorded over 5 days in New Orleans this fall for Ropeadope Records.

Latest Articles


ILLINOISE's Becca Stevens Releases New Album 'Maple to Paper' Photo ILLINOISE's Becca Stevens Releases New Album 'Maple to Paper'
by Josh Sharpe - August 30, 2024

Maple to Paper, the first entirely solo acoustic album from 2X GRAMMY nominated singer-songwriter and rising star Becca Stevens, is out now. Maple to Paper is Stevens’ first entirely solo acoustic record....

Becca Stevens Unveils New Single 'I'm Not Her' Photo Becca Stevens Unveils New Single 'I'm Not Her'
by Josh Sharpe - July 15, 2024

Becca Stevens has unveiled a new single, “I’m Not Her.' The track is the second single from her highly anticipated forthcoming album Maple to Paper. Stevens has also joined the cast of Broadway’s ‘Illinoise.' Listen to her new single!...

'The Henry Mancini 100th Sessions – Henry Has Company' Available Now Photo 'The Henry Mancini 100th Sessions – Henry Has Company' Available Now
by Josh Sharpe - June 21, 2024

The Henry Mancini family continues to celebrate what would have been the late legendary composer’s 100th birthday with the release of Henry Mancini’s The Henry Mancini 100th Sessions – Henry Has Company. The album comprises seven tracks and features guest appearances from John Williams, Herbie Hanco...

Becca Stevens to Release New Album; Shares Lead Single Photo Becca Stevens to Release New Album; Shares Lead Single
by Josh Sharpe - June 17, 2024

2X GRAMMY nominated singer-songwriter and rising star Becca Stevens has confirmed her highly anticipated forthcoming album Maple to Paper, set for release August 30. Ahead of the album, she unveiled the lead single “Now Feels Bigger Than The Past.' Stevens has also joined the cast of Broadway’s ‘Ill...

Listen: Henry Mancini's 'Pink Panther' Featuring Lizzo and Sir James Galway Available Photo Listen: Henry Mancini's 'Pink Panther' Featuring Lizzo and Sir James Galway Available Now
by Josh Sharpe - May 31, 2024

The Henry Mancini family continues to celebrate what would have been the late legendary composer’s 100th birthday with the release of Henry Mancini’s “Pink Panther” featuring Lizzo and Sir James Galway, out now. “Pink Panther” follows “Peter Gunn” featuring Quincy Jones, John Williams, Herbie Hancoc...

Miko Marks Releases Deluxe LP 'Feel Like Going Home' Photo Miko Marks Releases Deluxe LP 'Feel Like Going Home'
by Josh Sharpe - April 19, 2024

Miko Marks has released the deluxe version of her acclaimed 2022 LP Feel Like Going Home via Red Tone Records. Besides the original track list, the deluxe LP houses several reimagined tracks with featured performers including GRAMMYwinner Buddy Miller on “Lay Your Burdens Down,” the GRAMMY-wining hi...

Henry Mancini Family Celebrates Late Composer's 100th Birthday with Tribute Album Photo Henry Mancini Family Celebrates Late Composer's 100th Birthday with Tribute Album
by Josh Sharpe - April 16, 2024

The Henry Mancini family continues to celebrate what would have been the late legendary composer’s 100th birthday with the announcement of The Henry Mancini 100th Sessions – Henry Has Company. The album is the latest installment in what will be a year-long endeavor honoring the 20-time GRAMMY® and 4...

Drummer and Composer Larnell Lewis Releases New Recording 'SLICE OF LIFE' Photo Drummer and Composer Larnell Lewis Releases New Recording 'SLICE OF LIFE'
by Blair Ingenthron - April 06, 2024

Drummer and Composer Larnell Lewis has released a new recording 'SLICE OF LIFE,' out now....

Video: Louis Cato Performs 'Winter Wonderland' On THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT Photo Video: Louis Cato Performs 'Winter Wonderland' On THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT
by Michael Major - December 22, 2023

Louis Cato performed “Winter Wonderland” on a special holiday edition of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” Watch the video of the performance now! Louis Cato is a Grammy-nominated musician whose collaborators have included John Legend, Talib Kweli, A Tribe Called Quest, Jack White, Bobby McFerri...

Sly5thAve Shares Fresh Orchestral Take On Destiny's Child Hit 'No, No, No Pt. 2' Photo Sly5thAve Shares Fresh Orchestral Take On Destiny's Child Hit 'No, No, No Pt. 2'
by Michael Major - December 07, 2023

The song originally achieved iconic status through the collaboration of Destiny's Child and Wyclef Jean, soundtracking school dances and car rides alike. Sly5thAve's inventive reinterpretation delves into one of the song's sources from Barry White's “Strange Games & Thangs.”...

Groundbreaking Bassist/Composer Kinga Głyk Unveils New Album 'Real Life' Photo Groundbreaking Bassist/Composer Kinga Głyk Unveils New Album 'Real Life'
by Michael Major - November 13, 2023

Recorded with GRAMMY Award-winning engineer/mixer Nic Hard (Snarky Puppy, Charlie Hunter, Ute Lemper) in multiple sessions during winter 2022-23 at Michael League's Estudi Vint in Catalonia, Spain, Real Life marks Kinga Głyk's first new album in more than four years as well as the most distinctive w...

Video: Louis Cato Performs on 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' for Show's Return Photo Video: Louis Cato Performs on 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' for Show's Return
by Michael Major - October 03, 2023

Last night, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Louis Cato took the stage on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to perform the title track from his new album, Reflections. The performance marks the first musical guest following the show’s pause amidst the writer’s strike. Watch the video no...

Louis Cato Unveils New Song 'Another Day' From Forthcoming Album 'Reflections' Photo Louis Cato Unveils New Song 'Another Day' From Forthcoming Album 'Reflections'
by Michael Major - July 13, 2023

Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Louis Cato is unveiling his new song “Another Day” featuring a duet with Elizabeth Ziman of Elizabeth & The Catapult. The track appears on Cato’s forthcoming album Reflections. Cato is slated to perform an album release show at New York’s (Le) Poisson Rou...

Louis Cato Returns With New Album 'Reflections' in August Photo Louis Cato Returns With New Album 'Reflections' in August
by Michael Major - June 22, 2023

Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Louis Cato returns with his new album Reflections. In conjunction, Cato is premiering the album’s title track alongside a live in-studio performance video. Performed in its entirety by Cato, the project is merely a snippet of his enviable talents as an ul...

Bokanté Release New Single 'Pa Domi' Ahead of Album Photo Bokanté Release New Single 'Pa Domi' Ahead of Album
by Michael Major - June 06, 2023

Interweaving layers of percussion with all the nuanced skill expected of four percussion maestros: André Ferrari of Swedish folk renegades Väsen. Ex-Berklee music professor Jamey Haddad (Sting, Paul Simon). Nagasaki-raised, New York-based Keita Ogawa (Cecile McLorin Salvant)....

Elektragaaz Releases First Installment of New EP Series YOUR OWN PRIVATE CINEMA, PART Photo Elektragaaz Releases First Installment of New EP Series YOUR OWN PRIVATE CINEMA, PART 1
by Blair Ingenthron - May 07, 2023

Elektragaaz, that mind-bending electronic multi-fusion gang, is back with a vengeance with the release of Your Own Private Cinema, Part 1 the first installment of a planned new six-part series of EPs. Your Own Private Cinema, Part 1 continues and intensifies the diverse and genre-agnostic style of t...

Bokanté Announces Newest Album 'History' Due Out in June Photo Bokanté Announces Newest Album 'History' Due Out in June
by Michael Major - May 01, 2023

Band members including Snarky Puppy guitarists Chris McQueen and Bob Lanzetti and South Florida raised-lap steel player Roosevelt Collier had previously recorded remotely, absorbing and embellishing the music sent to them in files by co-writers Tirolien and League, who was often elsewhere with other...

Four-Time Grammy Winning Trumpetist Yayennings to Release New Album 'Yayennings Vol. Photo Four-Time Grammy Winning Trumpetist Yayennings to Release New Album 'Yayennings Vol. 2'
by Michael Major - March 07, 2023

Yayennings is set to tour with Snarky Puppy in the U.S. this Spring in celebration of their new album Empire Central which won for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. The record is available to purchase/stream on the band’s own label GroundUP Music....

Snarky Puppy's Empire Central Wins Best Contemporary Instrumental Album at 65th Annua Photo Snarky Puppy's Empire Central Wins Best Contemporary Instrumental Album at 65th Annual Grammy Awards
by Michael Major - February 06, 2023

Snarky Puppy is sharing a collection of live-in-studio performance videos from the record in celebration of the album’s release and Grammy win; watch/share the videos for “Cliroy,” “Pineapple,” “Trinity,” “Bet,” “Belmont,” “Take It!” and “RL’s,” which continue to receive critical praise from NPR Mus...

Alt-Rock Pioneers Pavement Announce Iceland Debut Photo Alt-Rock Pioneers Pavement Announce Iceland Debut
by Michael Major - January 09, 2023

Reykjavik’s Eldborg Hall at Harpa is the perfect venue for Pavement’s inaugural Iceland performances. One of Reykjavik’s most significant cultural landmarks, Harpa has played host to a plethora of iconic acts like Kraftwerk, Pat Metheny, Bjork, Patti Smith, Herbie Hancock, Snarky Puppy, David Byrne ...

VIDEO: Snarky Puppy Debuts Live-In-Studio Video for Latest Single 'Pineapple' Photo VIDEO: Snarky Puppy Debuts Live-In-Studio Video for Latest Single 'Pineapple'
by Michael Major - December 19, 2022

The band is publicly releasing their new podcast Transmissions from Deep Ellum. Produced by Osiris Media and distributed by NPR affiliate WBGO FM, the podcast documents the writing, recording and creative process behind the new record. The podcast is available via podcast platforms, including Spotif...

Greensky Bluegrass Announce Camp Greensky Iceland Photo Greensky Bluegrass Announce Camp Greensky Iceland
by Michael Major - December 13, 2022

Greensky Bluegrass are thrilled to share the first ever, Camp Greensky Iceland. CGI will take place in Reykjavik, Iceland June 3-5 at the iconic Eldborg Hall, located within the Harpa Concert and Conference Centre.  A limited number of All Access ticket packages and Reserved Seating 3-day packages a...

Singer And Composer Sirintip Releases CARBON Via Ropeadope Photo Singer And Composer Sirintip Releases CARBON Via Ropeadope
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 14, 2022

After three years of climate research and patient self-discovery, Bangkok-born singer, producer and multi-modal artist Sirintip issues her sophomore release, carbon. ...

Elektragaaz Releases Ep 5 in the 'Synaesthetic Picture Show' Series Photo Elektragaaz Releases Ep 5 in the 'Synaesthetic Picture Show' Series
by Michael Major - June 20, 2022

The instrumental treat is the fifth in the series of six EPs comprising The Synaesthetic Picture Show Series. The music of Elektragaaz draws on such far flung influences as rock, club, techno, pop, dance, film noir, comic strips, classical music, hip hop and video games to create its musical images....

Snarky Puppy Announce New Album 'Empire Central' Photo Snarky Puppy Announce New Album 'Empire Central'
by Michael Major - June 14, 2022

Recorded over the course of eight nights in front of a live-in-studio audience at Dallas’ Deep Ellum Art Company, Empire Central consists of 16 all-new tracks heavily influenced by and paying homage to the city that gave birth to the group after they formed while studying in the fabled jazz program ...











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