Acclaimed drummer and vocalist Nikki Glaspie, founding member of The Nth Power, has assembled a masterful new funk collective known as KAMANI. The group brings together world-class musicians that represent members of Prince, Beyonce, TOTO and more, and today announce their 2021 tour dates.
KAMANI is often spearheaded by one of the most dynamic rhythmic duos assembled in recent years, starring Glaspie and multiple Grammy-winning multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Robert “Sput” Searight of Snarky Puppy, Ghost-Note and TOTO. Their chemistry radiates throughout the center of KAMANI’s soul-thumping sound. Florida bassist and member of the Roosevelt Collier Trio Matt Lapham and guitarist and vocalist Kat Dyson, a longtime member of both Prince and Cyndi Lauper’s live acts, round out the group’s core with Glaspie; while a rotating cast of acclaimed keyboardists and synth-masters, which includes Nigel Hall of Lettuce, Xavier Taplin of Ghost-Note and Shaun Martin of Snarky Puppy, complete the group’s fluid lineup.
On a mission to “heal America with the funk,” KAMANI’s music embodies the therapeutic tree for which it is named. Drawing influence from The Gap Band, Prince and James Brown, vocals of Glaspie and Dyson harmonize with gospel-like intent, while deep funk, soul and jazz permeate their groove. Although the group is a relatively new project, their interplay and cohesiveness on stage evokes the air of a band that’s been together for decades.
“We play the funk a bit differently because we’ve played with the masters. We’re taking that knowledge and keeping it alive,” said Glaspie. “I’m a purist when it comes to funk music. There’s no water in this — it’s real, unfiltered, uncut, unadulterated funk. We show up and do what we do best, which is make people dance for two hours. It’s a dance party. That’s my main job playing drums in general, but specifically relating to this band, is to get people moving. Anybody can relate to us because you can’t help but dance.”
KAMANI first assembled in October 2020 and then embarked on a six-night run in Winter Park, Florida the following November. “I have never heard a set of music that moved me more,” said reviewer Scott Hopkins for MusicFestNews. “The outpouring of love going from band to audience and back was palpable all evening.”
After a two-week spring tour in May 2021, KAMANI returns to the stage this summer for a string of performances across the Southeast in August. Live music fans in Charleston and Raleigh will be treated with a special opening set by virtuosic 14-year-old multi-instrumentalist Justin Lee Schultz, who will also open a show with The Nth Power this fall. KAMANI then returns to the stage in October with special guest Nigel Hall for the much-anticipated return of Hulaween Music Festival, while stops across the deep South and Midwest round out the year.
2021 KAMANI Tour Dates
August 6 - Chattanooga, TN - Nightfall Chattanooga *
August 8 - Atlanta, GA - City Winery *
August 10 - Raleigh, NC - Pour House Music Hall * +
August 11 - Lexington, NC - High Rock Outfitters *
August 12 - Charleston, SC - Charleston Pour House * +
August 13 - Charlotte, NC - Heist Barrel and Arts ~
August 14 - Asheville, NC - Asheville Music Hall *
August 15 - Nashville, TN - The Five Spot *
October 29 - Live Oak, FL - Hulaween Music Festival ~ ^
November 18 - New Orleans, LA - The Broadside
November 19 - Houston, TX - Last Concert Cafe
November 20 - Austin, TX - Antone’s
November 21 - Dallas, TX - Deep Ellum Art Co.
December 17 - Nederland, CO - Caribou Room
December 18 - Denver, CO - Cervantes
* Kamani ft. Xavier Taplin
~ Kamani ft. Nigel Hall
^ Kamani ft. Shaun Martin
+ Special guest Justin Lee Schultz opens
In addition to KAMANI’s tour dates and plans to release a studio album, the ever-collaborative Glaspie continues performing with her staple band, The Nth Power, as well as touring with Maceo Parker and exploring other side projects like The OGs (which also features Dyson), Tephra Sound, GRIZ and her recurring “Nikki Glaspie & the Homies” get downs in Los Angeles. For more information about Glaspie, visit www.nikkiglaspie.com
