Special to The Times
The 2016 Vulcan Aftertunes fall concert series rocks on this Sunday, Oct. 9 with the powerful sounds of Big Sam’s Funky Nation and opening act Tragic City.
Big Sam’s Funky Nation is a driving force of urban funk led by Big Sam Williams, formerly the trombonist for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, who refuses to let the audience sit still. The Funky Nation is a stellar group of world-class musicians who meet the challenges of their funky band leader.
Williams calls his brand of music Noladelic Funk, a spinoff of George Clinton’s Parliament Funkadelic. It is a musical gumbo that stirs the souls of listeners with a combination of Hip Hop, P Funk and R&B.
The result is a show that will bring those in attendance to their feet.
“They can expect to have a good time, a lot of energy, not a dull moment,” Williams said. “Get ready to dance, work up a sweat. Bring your dancing shoes ’cause we’re fixing to get down.”
Big Sam has played with Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Dave Matthews, and Widespread Panic. He has also shared the stage with U2 and Green Day for the energetic re-opening of the Superdome. BSFN is a favorite across North America and their contagious tunes and memorable live performances have attracted fans far and wide, ranging from France and the United Kingdom, to Greece, Brazil, and Canada.
Williams said he’s been Big Sam all his life, the result of being a large fellow as he grew up.
“It was a childhood nickname and it just stuck with me throughout my career,” he said. “Once I started playing music, everybody knew me as Big Sam. It kind of just stuck with me. Also, I have a pretty big sound with my horn. It kind of goes along with that too.”
Williams says he and his horn “kind of found each” when he was in middle school. He was trying to find an instrument to play in his school band and told the instructor he’d play whatever he needed him to play.
“He said trombone and I asked him, ‘What’s that?’” Williams recalled. “When he introduced me to it, I fell in love with it instantly. The rest is history.”
By the time he reached high school, Williams had formed a band with schoolmates. By 15, he was performing in local clubs.
“New Orleans is a different kind of scene,” he said. “If you’re a kid and you play music, you’re allowed into the clubs. Of course they make sure you’re not drinking. But if you’re a musician, you perform and they let you hone your craft. You don’t go to the bar; you go to the stage and that’s it.”
The teen would join the Dirty Dozen Brass Band before eventually forming his own band, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, which combines the various genres that have influenced his style.
“Growing up, all I listened to was a lot of Hip Hop, and gospel from being in church,” Williams recalled. “Once I started playing music, I got into jazz and funk. Then I got into rock. I was like, I like all these genres. I want to make my own musical gumbo with my own special ingredients.”
BSFN has sealed its mark on the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Telluride Blues & Brews, Austin City Limits, Bonnaroo Arts & Music Festival, and many more. For more bio details, see visitvulcan.com/events.
General admission $15, Vulcan Park and Museum members and children ages 5 – 12 $8, Children 4 and under are free – Tickets are available online at visitvulcan.com/events or at the admissions gate. Gates open at 1:00 p.m.; Tragic City begins at 2:30 p.m.; Big Sam’s Funky Nation begins at 4:00 p.m.
