Newz
August 18, 2008: AustinJazz.net to hold 2nd Annual Jazz.net Fest in Austin TX! Labor Day weekend Aug 29, 20 & 31 will be grooving at the Dirty Dog. Check out the local jazz talent in Austin TX for only $10 if purchased early. Go to www.austinjazz.net for line up and more info!
ANNOUNCING: PAPALACTIC AFTABLASTA II SLATED FOR ACL WEEKEND: SEP 28 08 AT THE PARISH! Tickets are on sale Fri June 27 08! This year FunkyBatz is presenting one and only aftershow. Confirmed are Papa Mali, Cyril Neville, Ivan Neville and Galactic's Stanton Moore & Rob Mercurio! This will be your chance to funk your mind up once and for all and close out the ACL weekend with a very special performance!
Robert Walter Trio CD release June 6, 2008 Threadgills World Headquarters Austin TX. Greyboy Allstars frontman Robert Walter just released his new album, Cure All, available now from Palmetto Records.Robert wrote this collection of originals with a couple of players in mind -- drummer Johnny Vidacovich and bassist James Singleton. The Robert Walter Trio will be touring in support of the recent release. Tickets available at Frontgate Tickets.
Register under the fan base between now and May 9th to win a pair of tickets to Mike Dillon's Go Go Jungle & Hairy Apes BMX w/ special guest Kanko. Sign up for the newsletter and you will automatically be entered into our drawing. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
FunkyBatz is helping to get the word out and are looking for street teamers. Earn Tickets,Merch and More! Get the inside scoop! Sign up for our newsletter under Fan Base or send us an email!
FunkyBatz is street teaming in New Orleans this year from April 24 to May 4th! If you have an hour or two to help us with flyers and posters we can comp you to most shows at Tipitina's and for Stanton Moore!
January 29, 2008 - Whew! Whata funkified, grooveaplied and plain ole hot night it was at La Zona Rosa. The Greyboy Allstars performed to a raging Austin TX crowd who "Hadn't had none...in a long time!" Austin ain't had none, in a long time and the Greyboys gave um some more! We love you and hope you come back very soon!
January 7, 2008 - HOLY FUNK! The Greyboy Allstars Return to the Lone Star State! The Greyboy Allstars , MASTERS OF BOOGALOO with Leon Mobley return to descend on Texas Jan 24 25 26! The Greyboy Allstars will welcome the new year by returning to Texas for the first time in almost a decade. Three shows: Dallas (Jan 24 House of Blues), Austin (Jan 25 La Zona Rosa) and Houston (Jan 26 Warehouse Live), as well as a special in-store performance at Waterloo, are scheduled for January. Ticket information available on the respective venue websites. DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW! It will be one of the most amazing live music experiences of your life. For those of you who have never seen the GBA you must must must! They are the masters...and we promise you will dance your soul into orbit and never want to come back home.
January 6, 2008 - Join Topaz & his band Mudphonic this Thursday Jan 10, 2008 at Roux (downstairs from The Parish, Aus TX). We'll be celebrating Tracy Clark's and Zach's Birthdaze....and we'll GET DOWN to some Texas Funk! Mudphonic is Topaz new touring band consisting of Topaz McGarrigle-Sax, Harp, vocals & occasionally guitar, John Branch-guitar/vocals, Alex Marrero-drums/vocals, Bobby Perkins-bass!
Keep posted! Mudphonic has been working hard in the studio and we are very excited to see what the new record will hold for us all. Needless to say it will be fulla funk, blues and some highly original grooves...
Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 - FunkyBatz announces The Papa Mali Trio plus very special guests at Stubb's Indoor Room on Wed Oct 31st! Vampires, witches, ghouls and more...This is one Halloween party you will die for! Join us for a Halloween party that will Funk you out of your wits and celebrate the Hallows Eve to the wee hours of the morn.
Beware! This will be a spookfunkular evening with The Papa Mali Trio brewing us his special brew of hoodooo.......occuring just after the Galactic show at Stubb's. We promise you this will be a very special Hallows Eve of funk and jam! There will be surprise musical guests.....whaaahhhhah.......we wonder who they will be!???
More Info & Tickets available at www.stubbsaustin.com
Tuesday, Oct 16, 2007 - Telarc recording artist Tab Benoit to perform in Austin TX on Friday, October 26th -
GRAMMY Nominated Guitarist and Louisiana Wetlands Activist Wins Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year and B.B. King Entertainer of the Year Awards. May 11, 2007, Cleveland, OH - Telarc International, one of the world's premier blues and jazz labels, is pleased to announce that guitarist/singer Tab Benoit has won Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year and B.B. King Entertainer of the Year at this year's Blues Music Awards. -
As you listen to the Louisiana native’s Power Of The Pontchartrain CD, the reasons why become crystal clear. Two things about this disc immediately catch your ear, one being the tremendous guitar licks, the second the soulful vocals of Benoit...Read More
FunkyBatz is pleased to present Tab Benoit at Jovita's, Friday, Oct 26th. Tickets on sale now at www.frontgatetickets.com
Tuesday, Oct 9, 2007- Rudder is a NYC-based instrumental band. Founded on deep musical relationships and friendships lasting over a decade, this quartet brings an aggressive, driving rock and jam vibe to a purely instrumental setting. Rudder is equally led by its four members.Chris Cheek (saxophones) is now somewhat of an icon in the saxophone world. His playing has been heard for years with the Paul Motion electric bebop band. He is also a member of Charlie Haden's Liberation Orchestra and has recently been playing with guitar great Bill Frisell. As a leader, Chris has four noteworthy albums to his credit in addition to appearing as a sideman on over 60 other CDs. This summer Chris is touring with Paul Motion and Bill Frisell. With Rudder, Chris plays tenor, as well as baritone sax and brings his unique usage of effects on his horn to the Rudder sound. Henry Hey (keyboards) has enjoyed a widely diversified musical career in New York. He has toured and recorded with everyone from Jeff Watts, Alex Sipiagin, Bill Evans, Bill Bruford, Monday Michiru and Till Broenner to Harry Belafonte, PM Dawn, Phil Ramone, Richard Perry, and most recently extended world touring and television appearances as pianist and shared musical director for Rod Stewart. This summer Henry is touring with Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts, Alex Sipiagin and Monday Michiru. Henry plays rhodes, organ and unique synthesized and sampled textures with Rudder. Tim Lefebvre (bass) is one of the most skilled and sought after bass players in NY. Tim has made appearances in Saturday Night Live's house band over the last few years - his work has also been heard on The Apprentice, The Sopranos, Late Show With David Letterman, The Knights of Prosperity (CBS), 30 Rock (NBC), Oceans 12, Ocean 's 13, The Departed, Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle, and Analyze That!. Tim was the Musical Director/Leader on The Caroline Rhea Show on ABC and has appeared recently with Chris Potter, Patti Austin, Uri Caine, and Dave Binney. This summer Tim is touring with Chuck Loeb, Dennis Chambers, Till Bronner, Eric Marienthal and Jim Beard as well as Patti Austin. Tim brings his incredible support and huge low sounds to the Rudder vibe. Keith Carlock (drums) is quickly becoming one of the most well-known and emulated drummers on the planet. Early on, Keith and Tim formed the backbone that led to some new directions in the trio of guitarist Wayne Krantz. It wasn't long before Keith was heard by others and quickly became the drummer for the Blues Brothers. Shortly after that he was sought out to follow in the footsteps of Peter Erskine and other greats to sit at the drum chair of Steely Dan. Immediately following his first extended tour with Steely Dan, Keith was on the road for a two-year tour with Sting. This summer Keith is touring with Steely Dan. Keith's singular sound and style are essential to the groove of Rudder.
Monday, Oct 1, 2007- Stubb's Austin TX the place to be for Halloween! On Wed Oct 31st join in the funk and groove! Immediately following the annual Galactic outdoor show the party moves inside to the little room at Stubb's. The Papa Mali Trio will feature a very special super jam with surprise musical guests....just who do you think it is ? Yes...it will be the goulish of grooves...get your costumes and freak on and join us! More info and tickets at Stubb's Austin Website.,
Monday, Oct 1, 2007 - TAB BENOIT to perform at Jovita's on Friday October 26th. Telarc recording artist Tab Benoit is a Grammy nominated blues artist from Louisiana. Tab has won two recent awards "BB Kings Entertainer of the Year" and "Male Contemporary Artist. Tickets are available at Frontgate Tickets. More
Monday, Sep 10, 2007 THE SCOOP for ACL WEEKEND AUSTIN! FunkyBatz announces a very special surprise guest band from New Orleans to appear Sat Sep 15th at Jovita's. We can't advertise this but there will be one of ACL Festival's roadshows performing at our show on Saturday Sep 15th at Jovita's. Think in terms of a big guy who blows the FUNK outa the trombone...along with his full band.
Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 FunkyBatz announces two FunkGasmic Afta Blastas occuring Sep 15 & 16 in Austin TX! Get yo groove on and go late night after ACL Festival. FunkyBatz follows up FunkFest II with their versions of the late night fest afterparty that has the flavor of shows festival goers want; funky, groovin and boogalooin! These shows will feature ALLSTAR artists in their element: Collaborations, special guests and one funky good time complete with late night snack options, cold cocktails and more! On Sat Sep 15th The Papa Mali Trio kicks off Afta Blasta Night One at Jovita's and are accompanied by the Greyhounds. If it is anything like last year, which we know it will be, you'll be floating in the funk with hoodoo grooves, sick horns and the organ that leaves you wanting more! On Sep 16th the party moves to The Parish where we introduce Austin to Porter-Batiste-Stoltz (PBS). George Porter, Jr. leads this group that is comprised of basically the Funky Meters gone even more groovin...if that even could be possible. Topaz to open. Tickets go on sale August 20th at Frontgate Tickets.
Thursday, July 27, 2007 Papa's Brand-New Bag Austin's burgeoning new pocket of funk BY JIM CALIGIURI The night is a sweatbox. It's late July, 2006, and there's a throwdown happening at a showplace home in Rollingwood, a section of Austin just west of Downtown. The ultramodern kitchen is bigger than most apartments, and in the back is a low-lit grotto that accommodates an exquisitely tempting swimming pool. Folks have gathered to celebrate Barb Prashner's birthday. She's the fortysomething leader of a fan group called the Funkybatz, a local crew with a special affinity for the swampy sounds of New Orleans, the Texas soul/blues scene, and the improvisational daring that jam bands offer. Read Entire Story...
Saturday, July 21, 2007 - FunkFest II PreParty at The Parish is now ALL AGES! FunkyBatz and The Parish are please to announce that the July 27, 2007 Stanton Moore Trio show feat. Robert Walter (Greyboy Allstars) with Will Bernard (Motherbug, Fully Loaded) w/ Skerik and Mike Dillon's Go Go Jungle will be an all ages show! Festivities commence with a Stanton Moore Drum Clinic at 6:00 with the show to follow. Separate tickets are available at www.gettix.net
Monday, June 11, 2007 - Check out our Electronic Press Kit at www.amfmstudios.com/funkybatz - This EPK has video clips of our prior shows and more!
FunkyBatz Presents the 2nd Annual FunkFest slated for July 27-29 in Austin TX! Submerge your weekend in in the funk experience with one unforgettable night at the Parish and two jam packed days and nights at La Zona Rosa! Witness two days of funk explosion, special collaborations and parties at La Zona Rosa with the musical greats of funk, soul, jazz & boogaloo! Get to know the artists in an intimate setting through their music, workshops, cooking demos. DJs, authentic food and more round out the weekend. Enjoy local Austin treasures such as Barton Springs, Deep Eddy Pool, Town Lake, SOCO shopping, Zilker Park & downtown Austin TX all within five minutes of the venue.
Kick off the weekend at The Parish with the Stanton Moore Trio w/ Robert Walter & Will Bernard. Saturday & Sunday moves to La Zona Rosa where it is transformed into a groovin oasis with: Leo Nocentelli Supa Group w/ members of Galactic's Stanton Moore, Rob Mercurio & Rich Vogel, Cyril Neville's Tribe 13 & The Family Groove featuring multi generations of The Nevilles, Papa Grows Funk, The Papa Mali Trio, The New Mastersounds, The Will Bernard Band, Greyhounds, Topaz more....One headliner TBA plus many special guests!
Tickets on Sale May 1, 2007 at www.gettix.NET Limited number of tickets start at an early-bird pre-sale price of $35 per day. Day ticket holders will have in/out privileges at LaZona Rosa to attend the workshops and parties occuring from 12:00 noon onward. There will be a limited number of evening-only tickets sold based upon availability starting in July.
Thursday, January 31, 2007 Chicken Strut boogies Lambert's in Austin TX The Lamberts menu offers an array of modern interpretations on Texas cuisine and live music nightly!
Each Wednesday along side some fancy BBQ, Lambert's serves up some Chicken Strut, some of the greeziest variety around. The restaurant is downstairs and the music venue is upstairs perfectly suiting those who want to hear the music and dine at the same time. Chicken Strut is: Bobby Perkins - bass (Carolyn Wonderland, Larry, Topaz), Neil Pederson - keys (Extreme Heat, Papa Mali, Topaz), Michael Hale - drums, M.C. (Patrice Pike, Afrofreque, Dirty Wormz), Ron Sio - guitar (MeterMen, Topaz). No need to ask for hot sauce on the side cuz this band is blazin!
Wednesday, November 8, 2006 FunkyBatz to Sponsor Michael Cross & Natalie Zoe For the ThinkSmart Alliance Fall Fest & Happy Hour to be held on Tuesday, November 14th at NXNW.
Friday, November 3, 2006 For the Love of the City! A Unique Jamfest to raise funds for the completion of the film "For The Love of the City" to be held on Saturday, Nov 4, 2006 w/ Ivan Neville, George Porter Jr., members of Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Greyhounds, Topaz more....
Saturday, October 7, 2006 Papa Mali Touring with MOFRO!
Saturday, October 7, 2006 FunkyBatz Recruiting Street Team! FunkyBatz is looking for a few good funk luving people to earn free tickets, merch and more...click here to learn more!
Friday, October 6, 2006 FunkyBatz Launches New Website: Today FunkyBatz launched its new website that is all about the Funk, soul-jazz, groove and boogaloo! FunkyBatz founder Barbara Prashner says our goal read more...
Reviewz & Interviewz
Tuesday, August 21, 2007 - Boombox ATX CD Release Party at the Parish is slated for Sep. 7, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007, - Gonna Have a Funky, Good Time By Matthew Odam - With indie rock dominating much of the Austin music scene of late, and traditional blues and singer-songwriter acts maintaining their steady stream of regular gigs around town, it can be easy to forget that Austin is home to legions of fans of groove-oriented music. With fewer and fewer such shows making their way to town in recent years, local fans have been hungry for a healthy dose of the funk. That hunger to dance and have their minds melted by virtuoso musicians was satiated this weekend with a heaping helping of groove. Read Entire Review...
Saturday, April 28, 2007 - The past two nights Austin TX funk fans witnessed some of the most incredible funk, jazz, boogaloo musicians to stop in Austin in a long while. Will Bernard, one of the most accomplished jazz-funk guitarists was backed by Anthony Farrell (Greyhounds) on the B3 and Dave "Sniz" Robinson on drums.. The event included six bands over two nights and was called the Road to Jazz Fest series at Ruta Maya. Will Bernard introduced Austin to his new CD, Party Hats. It will keep you engaged over and over with its unique melodies and rhythms with a variety of special guest performers. Simply put...it is brilliant. Friday night continued the theme when The New Mastersounds landed in Austin TX! Straight from the U.K. these guys are some of most energetic boogaloo artists today. These were some of the most incredible shows we've witnessed in Austin in a long while...Catch them again at FunkFest in July!
Wednesday, November 8, 2006 - LZ Love at the Continental Club on Friday, Nov 10th! LZ Love to make a special performance/appearance at The Continental Club in Austin Texas this Friday! LZ Love recently released 'My Higher Ground'. Hand in hand with everything you would expect from a talented jazz/soul singer, this album makes for a perfect summer recipe. 'Words' kicks it off with ambient bass rifts, funk and LZ's gorgeous sultry vocals. 'My Higher Ground' itself is the pinnacle of the album and lends itself to the likes of Floetry and Lauren Hill which is no bad thing! More.....
October 14, 2006 - Papa Grows Funk w/ Gnappy Wigged out the Parish Room...October 13th it was as freaky and dirty as funk can get! About 200 people literally "wigged out" to some classic New Orleans funk in Austin TX. Fans bearing all fashions of wigs including most primary colors, 70's attire, thrift shop fetish and all around funkified fashions..witnessed that Papa Gros on the B3 wouldn't give it up till Henry Butler made a surprise guest appearance! Butler made that Electro on top of the B3, bounce 6 inches with every key stroke Butler made. Jelly Bean Alexander made this a groove to remember with relentlessness drumming... Overall a A++ night!
October 7, 2006 Trube Farrell & Friends boogaloo the Continenal Club...What do you get when you combine Greyhounds (Andrew Trube on guitar & Anthony Farrell on B3 plus Dave Robinson "Snizz" of the Scabs/Topaz on drums....What tha Funk!!! .some of the most groovin tunes for a Wednesday night in Austin TX! Check them out in the Gallery (above the Continental Club) You just never know who might show..many surprise guests! Click here for more information.
September 26, 2006 Stanton Moore Trio III album released by Telarc... read more
Come in your costumes and partaaaay with us in Stubb's Indoor room immediately after the Galactic show ends. The room will be levitating in the groove....