Snarky Puppy

The five-time Grammy Award-winning jazz and funk collective consists of 25 rotating members who regularly alternate. All of them are sought-after musicians who also play key roles in the bands of acts such as Erykah Badu, Snoop Dogg, and Kendrick Lamar. Snarky Puppy’s sound combines black and white American music culture and expands it with sonic influences from around the world. Their complex arrangements, intricate grooves, and sophisticated improvisation sound so powerful, catchy, and danceable that no one in the audience can stay in their seats for long. Now, what do you call a band like this? They’re not exactly a jazz ensemble, nor are they a fusion or jam band. It’s best to follow the advice of the New York Times and “love them for what they are, without judging what they are not.”