One of the rare opportunities to see funk supergroups came at the Bayou Rendezvous, a charitable fundraiser for the New Orleans Musicians Clinic at New Orleans’ Howlin’ Wolf last Friday night. Celebrating its 15th year, the event producers, as per usual, used Bayou Rendezvous to help out worthy local charities while simultaneously hosting some amazing music.

Eric Krasno (Lettuce/Soulive), Nick Daniels III (Dumpstaphunk/Neville Brothers), Nigel Hall (Lettuce), Ian Neville (Dumpstaphunk), Alvin Ford Jr., Ryan Zoidis (Lettuce), and Rashawn Ross (Dave Matthews) were joined by The Shady Horns (Lettuce), Wil Blades, Khris Royal (Dark Matter) and The Nth Power‘s Nikki Glaspie for a mind-blowing and smile-inducing set of creamy funk goodness under the Dr. Klaw battle flag. That these all-stars were together at all was a gift, but the fact that they had gathered to help their own face the pending heath care crisis made the night even more important.

The 15th Annual Bayou Rendezvous Takes Over The Howlin’ Wolf For Jazz Fest [Photos]

We’ve already seen some stellar photos from that night, but thanks to our own Rex Thomson, we are going to get to watch and listen to some of the magic that took place at this wonderful charity event. We hope you enjoy the videos to follow and that you consider helping the very worthy cause at the heart of the matter. Few cities are as densely populated by and as in-tune with their musician population as New Orleans. As such, the city has long recognized the need to help financially support the many players who face health care issues that can easily fall through the ever widening cracks in the system. So, while you enjoy these clips and the ones to come from the Monophonics and the Bayou Rendezvous All-Stars, please consider helping support the folks trying to make sure the music doesn’t stop when the players find themselves turned away from needed aid.  You can reach out and donate to the New Orleans Musician’ Clinic here, and watch some stellar videos from the event below! Enjoy!

[Photo courtesy of Chad Anderson]

Dr. Klaw