Concert Recap: Big Sam’s Funky Nation @ The Mint, Los Angeles 9/7/12

Big Sam’s Funky Nation brought the funk parade to the left coast last night, playing to sweaty, packed house at one of Los Angeles’ finest music venues. The Mint in West LA prides itself on a booking docket heavy on NOLA artists, a trend that continues on Tuesday with The Revivalists and Earphunk.

Big Sam’s Funky @ The Mint LA – 9/7/12 || Photo by Wesley Hodges

The show also doubled as a benefit for the St. Bernard Project of Chalmette, LA, raising money at the door, raffling off a super cool 16 x 24 Semolian Warrior Mardi Gras Indian print, donated by Jim Brock and the venue donated bar proceeds to the cause of helping folks in the Gulf Coast affected by Hurricane Isaac.

As always, Sam & Co. came out firing, throwing down Herbie Hancock’s “Chameleon” that segued perfectly into Blackstreet’s “No Diggity.” Sam worked the LA crowd like the champion he is, teaching the “Funky Donkey,” getting all but a couple of folks down on ground towards the end and fueling the room with the kind of energy that only Sam (and maybe Stanton Moore) can put off. The lighting was a little tough for photos, but I managed to snag a few decent, tricked out shots. Continue below for video, tweets and a photo gallery from the show.

TWEETS

Don’t tell me this town ain’t got no heart… @gumbobrothers rockin Jerry tunes at The Mint! #ShakedownStreet @funkybigsam on soon

— The Mint (@MintLA) 9月 8, 2012

Me and Big Sam in Hollywood @funkybigsam twitter.com/divacharacter/…

— Dionne Character (@divacharacter) 9月 8, 2012

@funkybigsam Almost show time!!!! twitter.com/LVSunshine702/…

— Sandra Medina (@LVSunshine702) 9月 8, 2012

Almost midnight, and @funkybigsam is still playing @mintla.He’s amazing!

— Sandra Medina (@LVSunshine702) 9月 8, 2012

.@funkybigsam spreading the gospel of #funkyhorns to Los Angeles at @mintla#theyneedit #theyregettingit twitter.com/lmbnola/status…

— LMB NOLA (@lmbnola) 9月 8, 2012

.@funkybigsam Chameleon > No Diggity. Speaking our language!

— The Mint (@MintLA) 9月 8, 2012

@funkybigsam “A Little Bit Louder Yall” @mintla twitter.com/u62/status/244…

— Alex Rose (@u62) 9月 8, 2012

@themint enjoying @funkybigsam and the funky nation #music #lifeisgood w/ @noahharald @thecoolcumberinstagr.am/p/PTqDP2h-pC/

— Rosie Mattia (@mrs_harald) 9月 8, 2012

GREAT TIME!“@mintla: Tix are moving quickly for tonight’s @funkybigsam blowout. Lock ‘em down if you wanna get down: bit.ly/QXSiVt”

— Big Sam (@FunkyBigSam) 9月 8, 2012

About the author

Wesley grew up in coastal Georgia and is a former resident of The Music City and The Big Easy where he helped get LMB NOLA off-the-ground after launching in January 2011. Over the past few years, he has also contributed steadily to JamBase and Relix Magazine. Recently, Hodges moved on to L.A. where Abita Beer is hard to find, costs about $6 if located and impromptu parading in the streets will most likely get you arrested on the spot.

 

Tags: Big Sam's Funky Nation, Los Angeles, The Mint