Last Thursday, May 19th, some incredible funky soul music from across the country descended on Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver, CO. The night opened with PHO from Minnesota, bringing their own brand of music to the slowly filling room. They played an hour and warmed the room. The drummer, Demetrius Mabry, was on fire and really brought their music to life.
Getting To Know PHO, The Prince-Approved Funk Rockers From Minnesota
Things really picked up around 10 PM, when the next act of the night, Con Brio, took the stage. The Bay Area band took the night to another level. Ziek McCarter’s soulful voice and upbeat dance moves made the room sing with energy. The room had mostly filled up at the point and the crowd was jumping right along with the band. Flawlessly mixing pop, funk, and soul in the traditional Oakland style, this was a set of music that will surely be remembered.
Finally Dumstaphunk, joined by the horns from PHO, came on at midnight and finished the night to an energized crowd. Ivan Neville’s band is less pop and more New Orleans jam, and each song allowed for all of the musicians to really have fun and play. Dumpstaphunk played all their old favorites, as well as a couple new songs off the album currently in progress.
During one song Ivan Neville even got up to play guitar, allowing Borahm Lee from Break Science to sit in on keys. They tore it up on stage! The long jam songs were a contrast to the more lyrical Con Brio, giving Cervantes a good look at the different tastes funk music has to offer. It was a funky night of music that all could enjoy.