Come prepared to shake your tail feathers like a Mardi Gras Indian as Big Sam's Funky Nation delivers that funky New Orleans sound to the Center for Southern Folklore Hall.

Memphis concertgoers got a taste of Big Sam's Funky Nation at the Center's 2007 Music & Heritage Festival where Big Sam Williams literally had 'em dancing in the street.  Combining his distinctive trombone riffs with a call-and-response MC style, Big Sam prides himself on getting the crowd up and second lining around the room from the very first number.  With a musical legacy that extends back to his days as trombonist for the legendary Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Big Sam has assembled a talented group of jazz-trained musicians who mix the improv style associated with jazz and the horn-heavy front section associated with big band funk.
 
Big Sam has toured with Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint after recording on their Grammy-nominated album, The River in Reverse.  He is also featured on Elvis Costello's CD, The River in Reverse.  As for his namesake group, Big Sam's Funky Nation has three albums to their credit: Peace, Love & Understanding, Take Me Back and Birth of a Nation.
 
For an evening of non-stop hip shaking, finger popping action from one of the Big Easy's most dynamic party bands, it's Big Sam's Funky Nation, 8:00 p.m., Friday, April 3 at the Center for Southern Folklore Hall.

For More Info:
www.bigsamsfunkynation.com , www.socomusicfund.org and http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/makeitfunky!/ .