Denver’s Cervantes’ Other Side saw a sold-out edition of Live For Live Music’s monthly residency of The Funk Sessions last night. Each edition of The Funk Sessions features a rotating cast of players from across the funk and jam scenes playing in unique and creative lineups, with the lineup centered around a host artist and a curated group of friends and musicians whom they admire.

Last night’s seventh edition of The Funk Sessions saw the Emerald Quintet fill up the downtown venue, featuring drummer Stanton Moore (Galactic), saxophonist Skerik, guitarist Scott Metzger (JRAD), keyboardist Robert Walter (Greyboy Allstars/20th Congress/Mike Gordon), and bassist Andy Hess (John Scofield Band).

The sold-out crowd saw an opening performance by Denver native Michelle Sarah and her live band. Starting at 9 p.m., Sarah played an hour-long set with her original live band featuring drummer Eric Imbrosciano, guitarist DJ Williams, keyboardist Deshawn Alexander, and bassist Lucas Parker. This time around, Sarah incorporated a new jazz dimension to her band, bringing on a horn section comprised of trombonist Scott Flynn and saxophonist Alex Cause for some extra funk for the night.

The Emerald Quintet cast of musicians took to the stage at 10:30 p.m., and offered up two sets of New Orleans-inspired funk songs and jazz covers. A new original song debut “Calm Down Cologne”, Robert Walter’s 20th Congress’ “Chalk Giant” and “Don’t Chin The Dog”, The Band’s “Ophelia”, Ike Turner’s “Funky Mule”, and Jimmie Vaughan’s “Ironic Twist” all got the funk treatment by the all-star group throughout the night.

Related: Skerik Talks Emerald Quintet, OG Garage A Trois, Mad Season, & More [Interview]

Missed the show? You can watch a full pro-shot video of November’s edition of The Funk Sessions courtesy of Ninja Video and check out a beautiful gallery of photos courtesy of photographer Colin McKinley (Alpine Music Photography) below.

Live For Live Music Presents: The Funk Sessions – 11/22/2019 – Full Pro-Shot Video 

[Video: Live For Live Music]

Setlist: L4LM Presents The Funk Sessions ft. Skerik, Stanton Moore, Scott Metzger, Robert Walter, & Andy Hess | Cervantes’ Other Side | Denver, CO | 11/22/2019

Set One: Mardi Gras, Sprung Monkey, Aquafresh, Humdinger, Calm Down Cologne, Chalk Giant, Serpico Waltz, Ophelia

Set Two: Crazy, Funky Mule, Ironic Twist, Hey Last Minute, Don’t Chin The Dog, Whiskey Mister, Tchfunkta, Kickin Up Dust, Who took the Happiness out