Top Jazz and Funk Acts Come to Squaw for the 11th Annual Brews, Jazz and Funk Fest

Festival to take place August 11-12 at The Village at Squaw Valley

[Olympic Valley, Calif.] July 24, 2012 – Cold beers and hot music will come together this August at Squaw Valley for the 11th Annual Brews, Jazz and Funk Fest to support the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe. Some of the nation’s most recognized jazz and funk legends will perform under the peaks of Squaw Valley, including headlining acts Orgone and Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk. The Brews, Jazz and Funk Fest will take place on August 11 and August 12 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. in The Village at Squaw Valley.

Festival goers can listen to continuous live jazz and funk music on two stages while sampling beers from more than 20 breweries including Deschutes, Lagunitas, Sierra Nevada and many more. Beers are $4 each, limited to ages 21 and older. A $5 entry donation to the festival is also requested. All proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe. 

The festival is open to all ages with well behaved dogs welcome on leashes. Kids can enjoy additional activities such as an 18-hole miniature golf course, sky jump bungee trampoline, plus swimming, roller skating, paintball and hiking at High Camp, elevation 8200 feet. For activity pricing, please see squaw.com.

Saturday, August 11

2 p.m. – The Lee Boys
The Lee Boys are one of America's finest African-American sacred steel ensembles. This family group consists of three brothers, Alvin Lee (guitar), Derrick Lee and Keith Lee (vocals) along with their three nephews, Roosevelt Collier (pedal steel guitar), Alvin Cordy Jr. (seven-string bass) and Earl Walker (drums). www.leeboys.com

3:30 p.m. and 5:50 p.m (Second Stage) – Mojo Green
Mojo Green is a collective of individuals whose musical mission is to move the people on the dance floor with their horn driven, Funkajazzadelic dance grooves. The journey is never over, it is always just the beginning. Mojo Funk delivers a non-stop, high-energy funk freight train at every show. www.mojogreenmusic.com/about

4 p.m. – The Robert Walter Trio
Robert Walter has built a reputation as one of America's heaviest jazz-funk keyboardists. Walter has performed and recorded with such jazz and funk heavyweights as Fred Wesley, Gary Bartz, Skerik, Melvin Sparks, Andy Bey, Reuben Wilson, Harvey Mason, Red Holloway, Chuck Rainey, Phil Upchurch, Mike Clark, Johnny Vidacovich and Steve Kimock. robertwalter.com

6 p.m. – Orgone (Headlining Act)
Pronounced with a long second “O,” the Los Angeles band Orgone is dedicated to heavy, raw, adrenaline-fueled funk and sweat-dripping soul. Armed with a new album and a take-no-prisoners live show, the band continues to evolve and redefine funk, taking, in the words of Dusty Groove America, “a rough, rugged, and uber soulful live funk vibe into a deeper and even livelier realm.” www.orgonespace.com


Sunday, August 12

2 p.m. – On the Spot Trio
On The Spot is exactly where these three musicians stand when they settle into a heavy funk-laden groove. Formed in July 2006, O.T.S. Trio mixes classic funky soul jazz stylings with modern jazz improvisational chops to create a psychedelic dance party for the ages. www.otstrio.com

3:30 p.m. and 5:50 p.m. (Second Stage) – Jellybread
Jelly Bread is a tour de force of full frontal funk, thoroughly steeped in a Rock-Americana style with a rollicking indie alt-rock radio appeal.  Their mix of in-the-pocket drum and bass grooves, swampy lap steel guitar, dirt under the fingernails guitar licks, and take-’em-to-church organ is downright appetizing—bright colors and sweet, funky flavors. www.reverbnation.com/jellybread

4 p.m. – George Porter Jr. and His Runnin’ Pardners
A member of the original Meters considered by many to be the founding fathers of funk, Porter has proven to be capable of the ultimate fusion of rock, funk and R&B. Runnin' Pardners is George Porter Jr.'s own unique long term project. Well respected by audiences and promoters as a quintessential New Orleans band, the five piece touring band continues to receive accolades on the jam band and festival scene. georgeporterjr.com

6 p.m. – Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk (Headlining Act)
The son of Aaron Neville, Ivan Neville has played in Bonnie Raitt's band and was on The Rolling Stones' Dirty Work LP. His debut album landed a Top 40 pop hit with "Not Just Another Girl." In 2003, Neville formed Dumpstaphunk and appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman. When the levees failed in New Orleans in 2005, Neville joined The New Orleans Social Club and recorded the benefit album Sing Me Back Home. Neville's searing version of John Fogerty's "Fortunate Son" was critically acclaimed. "Catharsis never sounded cooler," raved Entertainment Weekly. www.dumpstaphunk.com