SAT AUG 24 Gates at 11:00am

• Tower of Power
• California Honeydrops
• Ghost-note

SUN AUG 25 Gates at 11:00am

• Michael Franti & Spearhead
• Jackie Venson
• Zap Mama
• Ozomatli
• Con Brio

Saturday Line Up

Tower of Power
towerofpower.com

For over 55 years, Tower of Power has delivered the best in funk and soul music. "We were a Soul band called The Motowns." recalls Emilio Castillo. "Rocco was the bass player, I was there, and my brother was the drummer. I met "Doc" Kupka back in 1968, and gave him an audition. He came in the band, and we eventually changed our name to the Tower of Power." The reason for the band name change was that they had a specific goal in mind.

The band has long since surpassed Castillo's modest aspirations, traveling the world, enjoying hit singles on their own and backing legendary artists including Otis Redding, Elton John, Santana, the Grateful Dead, John Lee Hooker, Aerosmith, Bonnie Raitt, and countless others. In the process they've defined an "Oakland soul" sound as instantly recognizable as those from Castillo's hometown, Detroit, as well as inspirations like Memphis and Philadelphia.

The future of Tower of Power is set out to be vigorous and dynamic, and will prove to be just that for fans around the world starved for the band's groove just the way Tower of Power likes it

California Honeydrops
cahoneydrops.com

Formed in the subway systems of Oakland, retro-soul outfit The California Honeydrops are an electrifying group that defy convention at every turn. They've become a mainstay at festivals including Byron Bay Bluesfest (Australia), Outside Lands, Monterey Jazz, Lightning In A Bottle, and touring with B.B. King, Dr. John, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, and Allen Toussaint. Led by the enigmatic and energetic frontman, Lech Wierzynski, and drummer Benjamin Malament, each member of the band is a virtuoso in their own rite - Yanos "Johnny Bones" Lustig on saxophone, Lorenzo Loera on keyboards/guitar, Beaumont Beaullieu on bass, and regularly accompanied by Scott Messersmith on percussion, Oliver Tuttle on trombone, Leon Cotter on saxophone/clarinet, and Miles Lyons on trombone/sousaphone - navigating through a vast repertoire of original songs and timeless classics every night. But what truly sets them apart is their unwavering commitment to the art of improvisation - a skill so finely honed that they have completely abandoned the use of set lists and no two shows are ever the same. Off stage, their music has been streamed more than 200 million times, and placed in a variety of TV and films, including "Dead To Me," "Alaska Daily," "Black-ish" and more. They are currently touring North America in support of their new deluxe album, 'Soft Spot'.

Ghost-note
ghost-note-official.com

Ghost-note is an explosion of sound. headed by snarky puppy's multi-grammy-winning percussion duo of robert "sput" searight and nate werth, featuring an expansive roster of next-level musicians - representing members of prince, snoop dogg, erykah badu, herbie hancock, kendrick lamar, marcus miller, toto, justin timberlake, and more-the band is pushing funk music into the future, building on the pioneering foundations laid out by the likes of james brown and sly & the family stone and infusing their fresh take with afrobeat, hip-hop, psychedelia, world folklore, and more.

With the release of 2018's swagism, ghost-note made their mission clear. the album put rhythm at the forefront, with irresistible, heavy-hitting beats underlying the group's wild, rich music. Featuring numerous guest collaborators, including kamasi washington, karl denson, bobby sparks, nigel hall, taz, and others, swagism showcased the band's stunning ability to meld and amplify sounds, ultimately adding to ghost-note's sharp, complex collaborations.

The band easily translates this adventurousness in a live setting. Ghost-note's live performances are bold and in your face, with the group offering up none of the tight-laced pretenses frequently associated with the band's jazz roots. Focused on creating seductive danceable grooves and a contagious feel-good energy, each show is an opportunity to let loose and connect, for both fans and the musicians alike.

Sunday Line Up

Michael Franti & Spearhead
michaelfranti.com

Michael Franti is an American rapper, musician, poet, activist, documentarian, and singer-songwriter. Michael Franti is known for having participated in many musical projects (most of them with a political and social emphasis), including the Beatnigs and the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. He is the creator and lead vocalist of his current independent project, Michael Franti & Spearhead, a band that blends hip hop with a variety of other styles including funk, reggae, jazz, folk, and rock. He is also an outspoken supporter for a wide spectrum of peace and social justice issues, and he is especially an advocate for peace in the Middle East.

Jackie Venson
jackievenson.com

Jackie Venson is a multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter known far and wide for her beautifully complex music and blazing guitar skills. Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Jackie has traveled the world playing to crowds both as a headliner and as support for major acts such as Keb' Mo', Gary Clark Jr, Aloe Blacc, Melissa Etheridge, and Citizen Cope, to name a few. In 2020, Jackie released her studio album Vintage Machine, her first studio follow up to 2019's Joy. Music from Vintage Machine was featured heavily on Jackie's taping for Austin City Limits' 46th season, and she released the full set on "Live at Austin City Limits" that year. In 2021, she released Love Transcends, her first studio album centered around the blues and at the start of 2023 she released Evolution of Joy, a reimagining of her breakout album Joy, with producer Frenchie Smith (Jet, Toadies, Wild Child). With the uncertainty of the times we're living in, one thing holds true for Jackie Venson- she's going to play her music, speak her truth, and spread as much joy as she can doing it.

Zap Mama
zapmama.com

Born in the DR of Congo (Africa) and raised in Europe. ZAP MAMA graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels and continued her studies at theJazz School of Antwerp, which she did not finish. In order to explore anddiscover the vast world of "oral tradition" music. She travels throughout Africa,learning, exchanging and sharing information about healing songs, lullabies, mourning, ... and practicing polyphony with griots (bards), Tuareg women, Dongons, Peulhs, Pygmies, Mangbetus, Zulus and others.

Ozomatli
ozomatli.com

Since its inception in 1995, innovation and creativity have defined Ozomatli. Hailing from Los Angeles, the group found a way to represent the city's eclectic culture through music that appeals to the local community and the world beyond. Ozomatli's success is exemplified in an impressive variety of genres, from classic to modern Latino, urban, hip-hop and other world styles. The "Dioses del Baile," or "Gods of Dance," have created one of the most exciting, captivating and flat-out fun live shows touring today. They continue to harness their musical instincts by conceiving new concepts and forging new sounds that keep fans on their toes and the world dancing.

Con Brio
thebandconbrio.com

Con Brio is an elastic and explosive seven-piece band that makes emotional music at the intersection of soul, rock 'n' roll, pop and R&B. A Bay Area institution with an international following, Con Brio has spent more than a decade touring the globe, playing venues ranging from packed clubs to some of the world's biggest festivals, and enjoying a formidable reputation on the strength of their exhilarating, sweat-drenched live shows. They've been described as "infectious" (Washington Post), "a party-punk version of Sly and the Family Stone" (Consequence of Sound) and "the best new live band in America" (Pop Matters).

The veteran rhythm and horn sections of Benjamin Andrews (guitar), Jonathan Kirchner (bass), Andrew Laubacher (drums), Marcus Stephens (saxophone) and Brendan Liu (trumpet) remain tight as ever, weaving together grooves that draw inspiration from Tower of Power to The Alabama Shakes, with each and every member contributing lyrics and arrangements. The result? A record that finds a seasoned band infused with an undeniable sense of freedom, excitement and discovery.