George Porter, Jr. is best known as the bassist and singer of legendary New Orleans funk band The Meters. In 2017 he and the rest of the band won the prestigious Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Meters formed in the mid 60’s. They are considered originators of funk along with artists like James Brown, and their work is influential on many other bands, both their contemporaries and modern musicians.
George is known as one of the leading musicians on the current New Orleans funk scene and his acclaimed band George Porter Jr & The Runnin’ Pardners is a mainstay of that scene playing both classic Meters songs and original Runnin’ Pardners material. George has assembled some seasoned and incredibly talented musicians to join him in this band.
During the course of a career spanning more then four decades, Porter has not only made a deep impression with his work in the Meters, but he’s notched session work with artists as diverse as Paul McCartney, David Byrne, Patti LaBelle, Dr John, Robbie Robertson, Tori Amos, Taj Mahal, and live performances with Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Warren Haynes, John Scofield, Steve Kimock, Eric Krasno to just to name a few. Early in his career, Porter worked with seminal New Orleans artists like Allen Toussaint, Earl King, Lee Dorsey, and Johnny Adams, Irma Thomas, The Lastie Brothers.
George’s partnership in the Meters with drummer Zigaboo Modeleste is widely acknowledged as one of the best rhythmic partnerships in music. Many of their grooves , as well as full Meters songs, have been sampled or covered by the likes of Red Hot Chilli Peppers, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest.
Support comes from special guests Crowd Company, a modern take on vintage soul funk from highly acclaimed 8 piece band Crowd Company. Brimming with energy , catchy hooks and tight grooves the band combine a Hammond organ based sound with a virtuoso horn section and 3 outstanding soulful singers, often blending multi-part harmonies.
The band recently released a new album ‘Stone&Sky’ on the USA based Vintage League Music label, produced by Alan Evans (Soulive).
“Excellent, lowdown funk” Craig Charles BBC Radio 6
This is a standing show. Presented by Blue Dust Concerts.
