Melvin Seals has been a powerful presence in the music industry for over 30 years with a long-established reputation as a performer, recording artist and producer. Melvin is most revered for his powerful, high-spirited, Hammond B-3 organ, and keyboards in the Jerry Garcia Band. Melvin spun his B-3 magic with the Jerry Garcia Band for 18 years and in doing so helped pioneer and define what has now become “Jam Band Music”. From blues to funk to rock to jazz, Melvin Seals serves up a tasty mix with a little R&B and gospel thrown in to spice things up.
Melvin and JGB brings an intuitive, expressive style, soul, spontaneity and remarkable chops to the table. With acoustic and electric ingredients and unique combinations of Stu Allen’s guitar and amazing vocals, Jimmy Tebeau’s savory bass, Pete Lavezzoli’s hearty drums and, of course, a heapin’ helpin’ of the wizard’s magic on Hammond B-3 Organ and keyboards. Along with Shirley Starks and Cheryl Rucker on back-up vocals, the result is a most satisfying blend of natural organic grooves that challenges genre boundaries. Their chemistry is the focus from which they create a spontaneous and high art where the sky is the limit musically. They offer an exciting, often psychedelic musical journey that changes nightly and keeps the audience dancing and smiling (and some staring in amazement) for hours.
Adding his rock-gospel-soul-rhythm and blues touch with his funky style of playing, no wonder Jerry nicknamed him “Master of the Universe”. Melvin continues to treat music lovers to his unique brand of melodic flavor with JGB. Come see and hear for yourself!
JGB Band is:
Melvin Seals – Hammond B3 and Leslies, Roland RD700 Keyboard, vocals
Stu Allen – Gibson SG electric guitar, lead vocals
Jimmy Tebeau – Bass
Pete Lavezzoli – Drums
Shirley Starks and Cheryl Rucker – backing vocal

Tracks like “Wastin’ Away,” and “Bent,” showcase an effortless swing from whiskey-rock to shoe-stomp, from ballad to anthem and everywhere between. This versatility has defined the band since it began in 2008, and hundreds of shows later, Fruition now plays to an ever-growing fan-base in more than a dozen states, to electrified

With a focus on the West Coast, Fruition has played most major venues in Portland (The Crystal Ballroom, The Roseland, The Wonder Ballroom, and the Doug Fir,) the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, the Mystic Theater in Petaluma, the Tractor Tavern in Seattle, and the Oregon Brewer’s Fest. The band headlined both late-night sets at Northwest String Summit in 2011.

Through the years they’ve had the privilege to play with the likes of Vince Herman and Andy Thorne (Left Over Salmon), Jeff Austin (Yonder Mountain String Band), Zach Gill and Dan Lebowitz (ALO & Jack Johnson), Daniel Stern, and Danny Barnes. They continue to share the stage with some good friends, like Hot Buttered Rum, Greensky Bluegrass, Elephant Revival, Watertower Bucket Boys, the Quick & Easy Boys, the Clumsy Lovers, and Dead Winter Carpenters, to name a few.

Lafa’s collage of infectiously harmonic, bass heavy, multi tempo, music quickly heats up the dance floor. His vocal style ranges from sweet melodic choruses to tongue twisting rapid rhymes. He is also known for his intricate beat boxing, and creates live loops in ableton on the spot. Lafa’s live show is energetic, dynamic and unique. He has a great talent for connecting with his audience and working with the energy of the crowd.

In the summer of 2003, at age 17, Lafa single handedly produced and released his debut album “Life Music”. In 2004 he released “Hot Winter”. After three months of traveling around Costa Rica with a portable studio in his backpack. Next Lafa headed out to conquer Japan. There he became a part of the multi platinim band “Def Tech”and played a 26 city tour. Every venue of this tour was sold out,    including the prestigous Budokan in Tokyo which has a capacity of over 9,000 people. Lafa’s song “Lift Up” with Def Tech has seen major success in Japan. It was licensed for a Sony Ericsson commercial and the music video saw heavy rotation on MTV Japan and Space Shower.

Lafa’s third disc, “Different” (2005) has been a huge success, and brought joy and inspiration to many. Not only are the lyrics witty, uplifting and thought provoking, but the production showcases Lafa’s maturing skills as beatmaker and producer. Since “Different” Lafa has been redefining his sound and making noise in the west-coast bass music scene under the alias FreakFunk in addition to playing in a live electronic duo w/ Russ Liquid known as BounceBrigade.

Well loved by many, Lafa is rapidly making a name for himself on the west coast, opening for big names as well as headlining his own sold out shows. Watch for this international man of music as he continues to spread love and bass wherever he plugs in..

Booty shaking party music best sums up the inimitable Papa Grows Funk, one of the most successful funk bands to emanate from New Orleans. Rooted in improvisation, the group of all-star musicians led by Hammond B3 keyboardist and lead vocalist, John Gros, has built its enthusiastic vibe on a long-standing musical tradition that dates back to the hot jazz of the legends, Fats Domino and Louis Armstrong. Like Dr. John and the Neville Brothers, Papa Grows Funk keeps that New Orleans lineage alive while always funkifying towards the future.

Papa Grows Funk has fused the individual talents of its members into one unique sound, but still retains the initial spark they ignited in the beginning while jamming together at the Old Point Bar. “While we throw in New Orleans classics, now our songs and our groove are all our own,” says John Gros. “We still love playing together and that comes through in our music.”

The band plays over 100 shows a year for its international and growing fan base. From the Highline Ballroom in New York City to the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, from the Nancy Jazz Festival in France to the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan, Papa Grows Funk has brought their “Mardi Gras in a bottle” music to iconic clubs from coast to coast and renowned festivals worldwide.

With no play lists and no rehearsals every Papa Grows Funk performance is its own masterpiece of funk. On any given night, the band might change songs or grooves. But one thing is certain: whether it is jam band college kids or seersucker wearing professionals, five folks or 100,000, after John Gros announces “We’re Papa Grows Funk from the great city of New Orleans,” the crowd is going to go wild.

Papa Grows Funk is…

John Gros – Hammond B3 organ and lead vocals

June Yamagishi- Guitar

Marc Pero – Bass

Jason Mingledorff – Sax

Jeffery “Jellybean” Alexander – Drums

Blue Lotus is inspired by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, the Grateful Dead, Furthur and all things funk. The band’s original tunes are composed and written by Rose who then collaborates with 16 year old guitar virtuoso Blades to create danceable dynamic melodies that move the heart and soul.

Antioquia’s debut album Gringolandia, released in 2008, was called “a wild ride to the center of the earth and the depths of the soul.” (Brian Echon, West Coast Performer Magazine).  Their second full length album, My Piano Ate the Front Page of the San Francisco Chronicle was released in early 2010 to critical acclaim including Jambase Albums of the Week, March 5-11 and one of DirtyImpound.com’s Albums of the Year.  Dennis Cook writes “SF’s Antioquia possess a distinct socio-political bent but shimmy about like kids on Pixie sticks and Kool-Aid as they prod and peel away at entrenched infrastructures. Echoes of Fela, Pere Ubu and Talking Heads ping around in their sound, but none so much to overshadow the original voice rising in this young band.”

Since their formation in 2004, Antioquia has toured extensively throughout the U.S. quickly becoming a festival favorite.  They have appeared at Floydfest, Groovefest, Lovefest, and several other established festivals.  Their highly anticipated third studio album is set to be released on April 20th, 2012.
Peppered with fits of improvisation, bouts of silliness and fiery percussion pieces performed amidst the crowd, an Antioquia set is high energy, captivating, and anything but predictable.  You can count on each show to bring the audience closer to the stage and closer together.

These abilities have seen him preceding, following or tagging with a who’s who of breakbeat heroes like Afrika Bambaataa, DJ Icey, Cut Chemist, Grandmaster Flash, James Lavelle, Bassnectar, DJ Vadim, Tipper, Kraak & Smaak, Aquasky, Fort Knox 5, Z-trip. He’s also been among the first DJs to play many a rock festival including an unprecedented 6-year run at Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival and the first DJ sets ever at Gathering of the Vibes, High Sierra, Berkfest, Caribbean Holidaze, Mid Atlantic Music Experience, and Rothbury festival. He even played at Govt Mule’s legendary “Deepest End” show, called one of the Top 10 shows of the Decade by Jambase. A live turntablist for the indie techno circus The Mutaytor, MoPo has sat in with Parliament-Funkadelic, Galactic, Rebirth Brass Band and BLVD. He has opened for live music legends like James Brown, Maceo Parker, Widespread Panic, String Cheese Incident, Femi Kuti, Sheryl Crow, Spearhead, Jurassic 5, Isaac Hayes, Blackalicious, and Pendulum.

Mobile DJs

DJs for any style of event.   Weddings,  School functions,  Hip hop,  R&B,  Rock, let us know what you want to hear and
we will deliver.   Several options to choose from so take your party up a notch and dance till dawn.

PA System Rentals
Let our Yamaha SR 15 mains & monitors rock your show or if a crisp clear PA system is needed for speaking we offer that as well.
From small speaking events to the largest venue our crew can dial in any space!    Pick up rentals  & delivery are available.

Stage & Effect Lighting
We offer a full array of Stage lighting,  LED effects as well as DMX capable lights and the controllers to set a stage of any size.
If we don’t have what you need we can get it for you guaranteed.  Full service shows  as well as pick up rentals are available.

BackLine Rentals

Gear is important to every show and what you use should be top notch.  Our equipment is in great condition.
From drum kits & guitar amps to Hammonds & percussion we can deliver what you are looking for.

Live Bands

Need a live band for an event?     We can find one that fits your needs.   Rock,  Blues,  Hip Hop,  Jam Rock,  Reggae,
Funk,  Big Band,  Folk,  Latin,  Disco,  and many more to choose from!

Cozmic Events
(541) 729-5753
cozmicevents77@gmail.com
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Weddings,
Small gatherings
or an event of thousands
We can make your show a little brighter.
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We offer
Schools, Benefits, Non-profits
& Charities
an additional discount of the already low price!