Friday Funk: Lettuce

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Words By Karen Dugan (Tiny Rager)
Photo By Jeffrey Dupuis

James Brown Tribute, Jazzfest 2008

Lettuce Live at Tipitina's French Quarter on May 2, 2008. <--- Direct Archive Link



Having just gotten off Jam Cruise 9, my mind is overwhelmed with funk music. The horn’s, the attitudes, the beats. James Brown’s horn section consisting of Pee Wee Ellis, Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley played alongside of one of my Top Ten Funk bands, Lettuce. I can’t go another week without speaking of this amazingly funky nasty group.

Led by the virtuoso guitar player Eric Krasno (Soulive, Chapter 2), Lettuce consists of Adam Deitch (Break Science) on drums, Neal Evans (Soulive) on organ and keys, E.D. Coomes on bass, Adam Smirnoff (Lady Gaga) on guitar, Sam Kininger on alto Sax, Ryan Zoidis on tenor sax and Nigel Hall (Chapter 2, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi Band) on vocals and keys. Every member of this band is as dedicated to their instrument as we are to live music. They are EXCEPTIONAL musicians, blow up every single stage they touch and channel their older counterparts 110% while building on what funk was made from.

One of my favorite Lettuce shows occurred in New Orleans on James Brown’s Birthday in 2008 at the legendary Tipitina’s during Jazzfest. As the members of Lettuce, Dumpstaphunk and other Jam Cruisers lined the beach in Costa Maya, Mexico only a few days ago, I played this set for them, prompting Adam Deitch to ask for the link.
Special Guests include Maurice Brown on trumpet and Ian Neville on guitar. I hope you take the time to download it. It’s a damn good show!

www.tinyrager.com

www.royalfamilyrecords.com/lettuce

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