Colorado may seem an unlikely place for Sazerac and voodoo rhythms, but the devil-may-care attitude of historic New Orleans is alive and well in the Rockies. Thanks to Gumbo le Funque, a five-piece jazz-funk/soul outfit from Denver, the boogalee spirit of the Big Easy has been resurrected at a higher altitude. Intoxicating melodies, plenty of groove and possessed by the tradition of the second line, their latest album #PowerLoveFreedom is what Jamsphere Magazine calls “a masterful blend of funk and contemporary jazz.” And Coloradans have no problem dancing at the fais-dodos.
“I started the group because I love New Orleans music, from traditional jazz to funk,” explains frontman/saxophonist Jason Justice. “New Orleans is the genesis of all the pop music we listen to today.”
Formed in 2011, Gumbo le Funque is comprised of Justice and Anton, bassist Chris Harris, drummer Chris Beers, and vocalist/keyboardist Andrea Mérida. From the start they were inspired by jazz-funk artists like Maceo Parker, Galactic, and Dr. John, and NOLA’s tradition of the second line, where crowds of everyday people dance and strut behind the main section of a marching parade. Gumbo le Funque has been nominated for “Best of Funk” in the Westword Music Showcase Poll for two years in a row.
“I started the group because I love New Orleans music, from traditional jazz to funk,” explains frontman/saxophonist Jason Justice. “New Orleans is the genesis of all the pop music we listen to today.”
Formed in 2011, Gumbo le Funque is comprised of Justice and Anton, bassist Chris Harris, drummer Chris Beers, and vocalist/keyboardist Andrea Mérida. From the start they were inspired by jazz-funk artists like Maceo Parker, Galactic, and Dr. John, and NOLA’s tradition of the second line, where crowds of everyday people dance and strut behind the main section of a marching parade. Gumbo le Funque has been nominated for “Best of Funk” in the Westword Music Showcase Poll for two years in a row.