About this Event
SNARKY PUPPY: Empire Central Tour 2022/23
After over a decade of relentless touring and recording in all but complete obscurity, the Texas-bred quasi-collective suddenly found itself held up by the press and public as one of the major figures in the jazz world. But as the category names for all four of the band’s Grammy® awards would indicate (Best R&B Performance in 2014, Best Contemporary Instrumental Album in 2016, 2017, 2021, and 2023), Snarky Puppy isn’t exactly a jazz band. It’s not a fusion band, and it’s definitely not a jam band. It’s probably best to take Nate Chinen of the New York Times’ advice, as stated in an online discussion about the group, to “take them for what they are, rather than judge them for what they’re not.”
Snarky Puppy is a collective of sorts with as many as 20 members in regular rotation. At its core, the band represents the convergence of both black and white American music culture with various accents from around the world. Japan, Argentina, Canada and the United Kingdom, all have representation in the group’s membership. But more than the cultural diversity of the individual players, the defining characteristic of Snarky Puppy’s music is the joy of performing together in the perpetual push to grow creatively.
September 30th 2022 Snarky Puppy sees the release of their eagerly anticipated 14th album - Empire Central. It’s sound is big and bold, chill and laid back, rooted in its native culture while reaching outward, forward bound. With 16 new compositions, the group looks fondly at where it’s come from, confident in the polished power from which its members continue to build the unique Snarky Puppy sound.
The sound now rises like a skyscraper from a 21st century orchestra comprising three guitarists, four keyboardists, two brass, two reeds, a violinist, multiple percussionists and drummers and the accomplished, yet modest Michael League keeping it all together with his bass.
“Our soundscape has expanded dramatically over the years” says League. “When the band started, we were jazzier, brainy and music oriented. Moving into the Dallas scene we became groovier, more emotional, deeper in a sense. We focused more on communicating a clear message, understandable to a listener without dumbing things down”.
“Snarky Puppy has always been a band that prioritizes the sound of music” says League. “On this record the songs ended up being a lot more direct and funkier than those on our previous records. I think it reflects the many moods of the city’s scene”. “Our rule is that it can’t sound like it sounded before” he continues, “the music has to feel like it’s moving somewhere”
And moving somewhere it most definitely is. Empire Central shouts from the rooftops how far Snarky Puppy have come since ten friends got together at the University of North Texas in 2004. It also raises the question – where will Snarky Puppy go next? For Snarky Puppy fans, the answer to this question is a very exciting prospect.
ISAIAH SHARKEY
Guitar virtuoso, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, producer, educator and activist are just a few titles used to describe the musical powerhouse known as Isaiah Sharkey. Hailing from a musical family in Chicago, he picked up his first guitar when he was just 3 years old. Creating music came naturally to him and it wasn’t long before his family realized he had an irrefutable gift. By the age of 14, Sharkey was performing in clubs in Chicago and a few short years later he had piqued the interest of music industry giants like The Isley Brothers, D’Angelo, for whom he won his first Grammy Award, John Mayer, Patti LaBelle and many others. Blending his background in rock, gospel, jazz, R&B, blues, and funk, Sharkey has created his own original sound with an unmistakable dose of soul. His highly anticipated debut album "Love.Life.Live." was released in September of 2017 and earned him the iHeart Radio Artist of the Month Award in November for his single “It’s a Shame” featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff. His sophomore album "Love is the Key: The Cancerian Theme" was released in June of 2019. During the Covid 19 pandemic, Sharkey wrote and recorded with a few of his colleagues including Cory Henry and Common. Sharkey is also recording new music for his latest release after finishing his U.S. and European tour this summer.
Tickets are required for festival entry. Each attendee must have a ticket with a unique QR code for entry. This is a 1 ticket to 1 person policy. Children 2+ years and older are required to have a ticket for festival entry. You can register up to 4 tickets per EventBrite reservation. However, please be prepared to show a ticket with matching ID for entry. Entry is on a first come basis. In the event the venue is at capacity, The Stern Grove Festival reserves the right to discontinue entry, regardless if you have a ticket.
If your plans change and you can not use your ticket, please cancel your reservation on EventBrite as soon as possible to ensure other parties have the ability to attend.
Wheelchair seating must be reserved prior to each show on EventBrite. To register for the wheelchair section, please register for a General Admission Ticket on EventBrite. When prompted for wheelchair access, select YES. A representative from the Stern Grove Festival will contact you via phone or email to confirm your wheelchair reservation. On the day of the show, present your General Admission Ticket at 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard. A member of the reservation team will scan your ticket and wristband you and your one companion for the wheelchair section. A light bag search will be conducted and you will have access to the shuttle service to the festival grounds. Once on the festival grounds, a member of the reservation team will be able to assist you in locating the wheelchair section. Please note, answering the demographic questions on EventBrite during the registration process does not guarantee entry into the wheelchair section. A representative from the Stern Grove Festival must verify over the phone or in email that you have successfully registered for the wheelchair section.
NEW: ADA and Senior seating areas are on a first come basis at the show. To register for The ADA or Senior section, please register for a General Admission Ticket on EventBrite. On the day of the show, present your General Admission Ticket at 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard. A member of the reservation team will scan your ticket and a light bag search will be conducted. Once completed, you will have access to the shuttle service to the festival grounds. On the festival grounds, a member of the reservation team will be able to assist you in locating the ADA or Senior sections. One accompanying companion will be allowed in the section with each ADA or Senior guest. Please note, answering the demographic questions on EventBrite during the registration process does not guarantee entry into the ADA or Senior sections. The ADA and Senior sections are on a first come basis at the show.
Festival gates open at 12pm on the day of the concert. Concert starts promptly at 2pm.
You may bring your own food and beverages (including alcoholic drinks) inside the festival.
Please be prepared to show all contents in your bags prior to entry to the festival.
Entry is available through these designated entrances only:
#1. 19th & Sloat Blvd. (Shuttle Service)
#2. Vale Avenue
#3. 23rd & Wawona
About Stern Grove Festival
Stern Grove Festival is an annual San Francisco summer tradition spanning 86 years and counting. This 10-part free concert series is presented by Stern Grove Festival Association, a non-profit organization whose mission is to make live musical experiences accessible to all. All shows take place at Sigmund Stern Grove, a beautiful outdoor amphitheater located at 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard.
Reservations to Stern Grove Festival are free and non-transferable. If you cannot attend, please cancel your reservation, so others can attend. We prohibit the sale of reservations, and these will not be honored at check in.
For more information on getting to the Grove, policies, and our VIP picnic tables (for qualifying donations) visit www.sterngrove.org.
Make a general donation here, and help keep Stern Grove Festival admission-free for all.
Unlock Mixhalo for studio-quality audio no matter where you’re seated.
New this year: the Mixhalo Moments™ feature lets you film and share amazing social media videos—with crystal-clear sound!
Stern Grove Festival is proud to partner with our friends at Mixhalo, a free app that lets you listen to studio-quality audio throughout the grove—even in the meadow or up in the trees! Using Mixhalo is easy:
1. Download the Mixhalo app & bring headphones,*
2. Hit play to listen like never before,
3. Tap the camera icon to create your own Mixhalo Moments™
*Pro tip: for the best experience, use high-quality, wired earbuds or headphones. Available on Festival grounds only.
http://mixhalo.com/sterngrove
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Rhoda Goldman Concert Meadow @ Sigmund Stern Grove Recreation Area, 19th Ave and Sloat Blvd, San Francisco, United States
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