Big Sam's Funky Nation, live at Opal Divine's Freehouse! Thursday March 18th at 8:00PM. Big Sam will be performing his official South by Southwest showcase! BSFN is a driving force of urban funk. The band is led by trombone powerhouse, Big Sam Williams, formerly the trombonist for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, who the San Francisco Chronicle calls "the top man on the slide trombone in the birthplace of jazz." Big Sam's Funky Nation is not a one man show; the members of the Funky Nation, are group of well trained and experienced musicians with impressive credentials of their own. BSFN masterfully combine a rock sensibility with improv-style associated with jazz and the horn-heavy front section that's the hallmark of big band funk. BSFN has a new CD to be released on Hypersoul Records on March 25, 2010. www.bigsamsfunkynation.com www.backbeatfoundation.org

Big Sam's Funky Nation and Stooges Brass Band will be offering great New Orleans Music during "Only in Louisiana," at East Tent, Brush Square Park, from Noon to 3PM on Thursday, March 18th. Presented by the Backbeat Foundation BSFN is a driving force of urban funk. The band is led by trombone powerhouse, Big Sam Williams, formerly the trombonist for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, who the San Francisco Chronicle calls "the top man on the slide trombone in the birthplace of jazz." Big Sam's Funky Nation is not a one man show; the members of the Funky Nation, are group of well trained and experienced musicians with impressive credentials of their own. BSFN masterfully combine a rock sensibility with improv-style associated with jazz and the horn-heavy front section that's the hallmark of big band funk. BSFN has a new CD to be released on Hypersoul Records on March 25, 2010. The Stooges Brass Band have been second-lining through the back streets of New Orleans since 1996. The Stooges perform a style of New Orleans street music that dates back to the 19th Century. The brass bands has studied the styles of legends like Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton and Wynton Marsalis takes their place in that distinguished lineage seriously. The Stooges appeal to the emotions of traditional jazz and use their hip-hop influences to create a new sound that embodies the energy of streets of New Orleans.

Showcase of New Orleans Music in Austin! Presented by the Backbeat Foundation, four great New Orleans bands will be featured at Momo's on Wednesday March 17th from noon to 6pm. Tickets are free to see Anders Osborne, Kristen Diable, The Stooges Brass Band, and Big Sam's Funky Nation!