Adam Deitch Examines "Greatness" Ahead Of The Phunk Sessions In Denver

As he prepares to share the stage with a slew of funk greats at The Phunk Sessions Phish Dick’s late-night show this Sunday, September 4th approaches, Adam Deitch has been thinking a lot about “greatness.” Read a guest piece from the Lettuce drummer about the legends young and old set to funk up Denver’s Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom this weekend.

Let’s talk about GREATNESS. Sustained greatness over time. It takes years of experience of gigs and recordings to unlock that level.

George Porter Jr. is an iconic musician who has earned his place in music history. With hundreds of records in his discography ranging from the 1960s to 2022, George’s work with so many of New Orleans’ legends (Dr. John, The Meters, Allan Toussaint, etc.) is awe-inspiring and absolutely immense. He’s also worked with so many musicians outside of New Orleans like John Scofield, various members of the Grateful Dead, and Bernie Worrell of P-Funk.

To see George live is to see a beautiful soul that has a fiery spirit full of the funkiest basslines of all time. He is an absolutely brilliant improviser and lives for that “off the cuff” groove that is right in the moment. To hear him sing is just as mesmerizing and special. His inflections, lyrics, and phrasing embody the musically rich city of New Orleans and the very essence of the music we all love.

Ivan Neville, a full-blown music Jedi, has also lived a very full life of Funk of all kinds. From his start in his dad’s group, the Neville Brothers, to Keith Richards’s band, the X-Pensive Winos, to his core group, Dumpstaphunk, Ivan continues to add to his already legendary career as a super-soulful and gritty singer as well as a monster keyboardist. He’s also a bonafide improvisor who can come up with something right on the SPOT that’ll get the crowd MOVING!

Isaiah Sharkey, while only 33 years of age, is taking the world by storm. His abilities seem so effortless and his gentle spirit permeates through his guitar and voice. He can also unleash some absolutely stunning solos that burn the place down. Ask John Mayer or D’Angelo about him.

On behalf of my brother Shmeeans (guitarist and founder of Lettuce), Drew Sayers (sax/keys for The Motet), Eric Bloom (improvisor of the highest order on trumpet, of Lettuce) and myself, we are BEYOND grateful to be onstage with these incredible humans and musicians THIS SUNDAY, September 4th in Denver at the newly renovated Cervantes Masterpiece for The Phunk Sessions!

See y’all there,
AD

Tickets for The Phunk Sessions at Denver, CO’s Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom after Phish at Dick’s on Sunday, September 4th, 2022 are on sale here. Scroll down for complete show details. RSVP to the Facebook event page here for updates.

***SHOW INFO***

Show: Live For Live Music Presents: The Phunk Sessions
Venue: Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom – Denver, CO
Band: George Porter Jr. (bass/vocals, The Meters), Ivan Neville (keys/vocals, Dumpstaphunk), Adam Smirnoff (guitar, Lettuce), Adam Deitch (drums, Lettuce), Eric “Benny” Bloom (trumpet, Lettuce), Drew Sayers (saxophone, The Motet), Isaiah Sharkey (guitar, John Mayer/D’Angelo)
Date: Sunday, September 4th, 2022
Time: Doors – 11:00 p.m. | Show – 12:00 a.m.
Tickets: Advance – $25 | Day of Show – $30