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Weekly Artist Spotlight: The James Brown Dance Party

Each week we have a tradition of writing about an artist or band from our upcoming shows in and around New York City. With Baker’s Dozen and our schedule of Phish After-Parties in full swing, it only made sense to shine this week’s spotlight on a group performing during Baker’s Dozen that’s generated substantial buzz since they started performing together in January of 2015. Readers – meet the James Brown Dance Party.

A Chase Brothers project (Adam & Mathew), the James Brown Dance Party features a cast of rotating world-class musicians to resurrect the untouchable ethos of the James Brown Band. With the recent passing of Clyde Stubblefield, the original “funky drummer” from the James Brown Band, paired with the powerful funk wave of recent years, there’s never been a more justified demand for the James Brown experience, and no band pays a more respectful, high-energy tribute than JBDP.

Since their inception in 2015, the James Brown Dance Party has received glowing reviews from music publications and critics across the country. In a featured special published by the Huffington Post titled, “The James Down Dance Party is My Happy Place,” critic Taraleigh Weathers writes “they are so freaking funky, you can’t help but to shake your booty and bust out your dancing shoes. Have you ever felt like you were stuck in a rut in your life? If so this band will kick your butt right out of that rut in the funkiest way possible!” In another show review written by Live For Live Music, author Sarah Bourque writes “on Saturday night, nine musicians crammed onto the small stage at Garcia’s for sets of jazz and funk, next to the Capitol Theatre, leaving fans with nothing but a massive show full of energy…The jazz and funk filled evening made sure everyone went home ready to sleep after an energy charged, sweat filled night of dancing at Garcia’s.”

At previous shows the outfit has featured members of renowned bands like Snarky Puppy, Trombone Shorty, Galactic, Trey Anastasio Band, Lettuce, Break Science, Pretty Lights Live Band, Kung Fu, Deep Banana Blackout, and Dopapod. Not only that, but Clyde Stubblefield himself has been a featured drummer with the outfit in previous years. For their upcoming two performances this Friday July 28 during the Baker’s Dozen run at the musically pristine Highline Ballroom in New York City, the James Brown Dance Party will feature The Chase Brothers w/ Fred Wesley (James Brown, The JBs), Antwaun Stanley (Vulfpeck), Fred Thomas (James Brown), Binky Griptite (The Dap Kings), Justin Stanton (Snarky Puppy), James Casey (Trey Anastasio Band), Chris Rob (Talib Kweli), plus special guests tba. With it’s best musical lineup to date and two different opportunities to see them perform on the same night (first show at 8:30pm, second at 11:59pm after Phish), there’s no reason to miss out on this meteoric band. Buy your tickets hereand learn more about other Phish After-Parties at www.phishafterparties.com.

James Brown Dance Party