Colorado-based funk-soul favorites The Motet will return to New Orleans for a pair very special late night shows on Friday, May 4th and Saturday, May 5th, during the second weekend of Jazz Fest. On the first night, Friday, May 4th, the band has put together a special tribute show honoring Sly and the Family Stone that will feature special guests Nate Werth (Snarky Puppy, Ghost-Note) on percussion and Moorea Masa on vocals. On the second night, Saturday, May 5th, The Motet will join forces with Virginia heavy-hitters Butcher Brown for a night of original music with special guest Weedie Braimah (The Nth Power) on percussion.
In mid-January, the band had big news for fans with the announcement that their long-time trumpet player Gabe Mervine would be leaving the group. In his stead, The Motet tapped Chicago native Parris Fleming, a musician more than qualified to step in having shared the stage with Pretty Lights, Big Gigantic, Dumpstaphunk, The Revivalists, and many more in the past. Fleming solidifies a relatively new horn lineup, with saxophonist Drew Sayers joining the band in 2016 along with singer Lyle Divinsky, who has stepped up as the frontman for the group. Thus far, despite these lineup changes, the Motet has been on fire and wholly dialed, offering up energetic and feel-good performances during each of the stops of this most recent winter tour.
“Keep On Don’t Stoppin'” – Pink Garter Theatre – Jackson Hole, WY – 2/24/2018
[Video: steve oh]
The Motet’s upcoming shows during the second weekend of Jazz Fest are not ones you’ll want to miss. The group’s choice of Sly and the Family Stone for their Friday night tribute is a good one, given that the band has been playing select tracks from the iconic band for almost a decade. In 2009, on the band’s home turf in Colorado, The Motet put on a legendary tribute to Sly and the Family Stone at the Fox Theatre during their Halloween run that year.
“Family Affair” – Fox Theatre – Boulder, CO – 10/29/2009
[Video: TheFoxTheatre]
For the second night of the group’s upcoming Jazz Fest run, the band will perform a more traditional show along with Butcher Brown and featuring special guest Weedie Braimah (The Nth Power) on percussion. During this performance, the funk group will get the chance to really flex their musical muscles and show of their own extensive catalog including previews of their upcoming album, due out later in the year.
Tickets for The Motet’s NOLA shows are now available here: (Friday, May 4th; Saturday, May 5th). For more information, head to the band’s website.
Click below for a list of The Motet’s upcoming tour dates:
Get a behind-the-scenes look at The Motet’s most recent tour below:
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