Snarky Puppy: How to Make Music for Both Brain and Booty

Hear the radio episode here: n.pr/21u9PoC
The large instrumental band Snarky Puppy, which just won its second Grammy Award, is hard to pin down to one place. Its core is now in New York, but The Pups have toured and recorded all over the world. And their spiritual home is still Dallas, Texas. It's where they'd take in gospel performances in area churches; it's near where they initially met at music school at the University of North Texas in Denton. As bassist and bandleader Michael League explains, you can hear all those collisions in the pocket of their complex and beyond-category grooves. Snarky Puppy makes "music for the brain and booty" alike.
Jazz Night in America flies down to Dallas to visit Mike League's old stomping grounds, and takes a deep dive into his fascinating compositional process. Then we witness its execution in a sold-out, live, hometown Snarky Puppy concert at The Door in Dallas.
SKIP TO
1:51 - “Lingus”
11:35 - Going to Church
15:58 - “Thing of Gold”
23:39 - There are things that need to be done, so we do 'em.*
27:50 - “Shofukan”
*A correction has been made to identify the tune Mike League samples during the songwriting segment as a work by Lebanese artist Melham Barakat.
Recorded Sept. 11, 2015 @ The Door, Dallas, Texas
MUSICIANS
Michael League (bassist, composer, bandleader), Chris Bullock (saxophone), Jay Jennings (trumpet), Mike Maher (trumpet), Justin Stanton (keyboards, trumpet), Shaun Martin (keyboards), Nate Werth (percussion), Jason ‘JT’ Thomas (drums), Bob Lanzetti (guitar), Mark Lettieri (guitar), Chris McQueen (guitar)
FOLLOW US!
Facebook: / jazznight
Twitter: / jazznight
Instagram: / jazznightinamerica

[@gonzacollao]

- "Dad, why is my sister's name Rose?" - "Because your mom loves roses, kiddo" - "Huh, thanks dad" - "No problem, Snarky Puppy - Shofukan (Live at The Door in Dallas)"

[@aidenhuckabee784]

😂😂😂

[@anwyllonmusic]

Holy shit...the crowd is actually singing along......to an instrumental.

[@its_jvne4169]

Anwyll Music that blew me away too

[@brothaNblue]

Why is that such a surprise? A crowd can sing along to anything if it's catchy.

[@asfallion]

Check out Vulfpeck Dean Town live. That's also amazing seeing people doing that.

[@cali.songbird]

Hello Everyone, What's the easiest way to find out about tour dates of bands, please?

[@stevekirby7333]

There are videos where League gets three parts of the audience singing in syncopation. This isn't your usual Beyonce audience.

[@doublecbob]

I am the first guy speaking in the interview. My claim to fame. haha

[@spacejazz6272]

damn you lucky thing

[@einarabelc5]

8 months of fame is better than 15 min of fame huh? Ha!!!

[@sesanders22]

My man

[@devonwhitaker8001]

U rock

[@moreesetaylor872]

4 years of fame!!!!

[@ItzTheFury]

God. That band just carries whoever is soloing so frickin well. They are so amazing at making good solos great.

[@tylrbass]

26:15 the stuff he's talking about here is EXACTLY why I find it so fascinating to sample records and use them out of context.. "hearing things wrong is a moment of opportunity" boom.. nailed it

[@ajadrew]

Yeah..:-)))

[@STOPPEDINCOLORADO]

I really think Chris' solo on the electric guitar captures that minor feel in the second half of Lingus. It's sound so fucking evil, dark, and melodic, which is a nice alternative to Cory's awe-instilling and hectic solos. It's nice to have the choice of listening to both options.

[@MusaInc.]

You spot on!

[@vetlerradio]

Duuuude, it's an amazing solo, it's a fucking prog-metal solo with a jazzy twist!

[@b0geman117]

everybody say they disappointed when it aint cory. c'mon man give my dude chris mcqueen a chance

[@chrisbranch231]

@@qazwsxbjioknmlp8046 battle star 🌟 galictica

[@nimmin8094]

@@b0geman117 I'm still coming back to this video to hear the solo. Def my preferred.

[@xblackb0x]

If christian mcbride would keep on doing voice over for documentaries like this, he would be like the neil degrasse tyson of music.

[@xodiaq]

I’m down with this idea.

[@calebmikkelsen5963]

Or Morgan freeman

[@insaneintherainmusic]

I never thought I'd hear snarky puppy + mario omfg

[@SirCommoner]

+insaneintherainmusic I went to one of their shows in Brazil and he did it here too

[@Mark-tm8fi]

where's that in the video

[@carterthaxton3704]

34:39

[@doublecbob]

Dallas

[@abstractbrainscans]

Yes! that was siiiick! My friend used to sneak up and play that little riff on the piano in high school every time the teacher was out of the class lmao

[@thomastoews7850]

That guitar solo in lingus was just the right amount of experimental. Added a whole new flavor to the song and just felt good to listen to.

[@Gregoryzaniz]

thANK you

[@welikerosafloyd]

THANKS

[@dcaonoek]

It was... Like the guitar solo on What about me from the We like it here.... Started fresh and ends so savage!

[@seriouskaraoke879]

22 band members is cool....until it comes to the end of the gig. Then you need a calculator to figure out how to split the $300.

[@switkeyz6627]

Haha... Loool..... Talk about The agonies of making great live music ......sigh*

[@gregorysaniel7904]

Its not about the money its about making fun in music

[@NclinedMuzaclly]

Gregory Saniel kinda is when you're a career musician..balance

[@thisjustin77]

until you find out they make your salary per gig 😂

[@blackdogbite]

That is funny for sure

[@brenttauromusic]

Lost my shit when Shaun played the Mario theme in the middle of Shofukan.

[@patihelen-kent7814]

+Brent Tauro when?

[@patihelen-kent7814]

+Pati Helen-Kent Never mind, i got it

[@sushigimme]

+Pati Helen-Kent 34:40

[@lucasgriggs5685]

+Brent Tauro i bet you shofukan did!

[@SirCommoner]

+Brent Tauro I went to one of their shows in Brazil and he did it here too

[@joshjones9749]

That ending was like the avengers getting Shawarma after the work is done lol

[@ElMoShApPiNeSs]

Yes haha

[@adnanhalabi8175]

That groove that micheal got inspired by is not Tunisian. Its a song called "ala babi waef amaren" by a Lebanese artist called Melhem Barakat. The rhythm section in that part is called "baladi". The composition process also is not entirely by feel but by musical notation and various microtonal scales that require a careful ear to piece together.

[@LEOsoulMonarch]

Oof. Lol. When you misunderstood the assignment, and it inspires you immensely.....and then you find out that you *really* misunderstood the assignment! 😂😂😂😂 I hope Michael League doesn't kick himself too much when/if he sees this comment, or realizes the mistake. Lol. "Wait......it *wasn't* Tunisian?!??? I misread one of the biggest inspirations I've received??? *Thrice in one sitting?!??*" 😮😮😮 He's either gonna see this as a big W or a big L. There is very little in between. Lol.

[@adnanhalabi8175]

@@LEOsoulMonarch i dmed Micheal on insta when i saw this aswell. Made sure to try to get him to see that. I hate it when people make out jazz to be the well structured/rule filled/ no mysteries kind of music and everything else is mysterious and goes by “feel” and “emotion” when in fact Tunisian, Egyptian, Lebanese and all Middle Eastern music is very well documented and structured and has even more rules. He shouldn’t have assumed an entire regions music theory to just the word “feel”. An uncultured and disrespectful oversight by someone I massively respect. No hard feelings tho, i aint the regions rep 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@LEOsoulMonarch]

@@adnanhalabi8175 Ehhh....an oversight? Yes. Disrespectful? I'd disagree with. I can see how it can come off that way, but to be fair to Michael, he didn't legit mean any disrespect. To the contrary, he actually meant the utmost respect; it was just from a misconstrued view. And this hits harder when you know some of the lore behind Michael and Snarky Puppy. Michael was present during the era where (in his own words) Jazz got too intellectual and didn't have enough feel/soul. So he works to incorporate feeling into the music he does. So he's got a high amount of respect for feel. Also, this isn't me speaking on jazz because I'm not deep into it like that; I'm regurgitating his words as best I can. So to me, this is more like a, "I understand you mean well, but you're mistaken because there's more structure than you realize." But to your point, this is good stuff to learn. I learned something from this post. I had no idea the structures which were in other regions' music. Are you a Jazz musician by chance? Just curious.

[@darienbragg4826]

I'm actually weirdly impressed by the on point audience clapping, those are some serious fans!

[@tableham]

These guys and Jacob collier are just about my biggest inspirations

[@justinchoijcjc]

Focusing on the bass makes snarky puppy so much more enjoyable

[@euex]

That guitar solo in lingus is awesome; additionally, guitar speaks at the solo. Open the SUBTITLES and see what happens at: 8:24 9:16 9:32

[@thezoexperience1]

Did anyone catch Michael League walking ever so casually thru the crowd at 0:28? lol

[@hardiksharma1428]

Justin Stanton's trumpet solo on Shofukan isn't being talked about enough in the comments, it's so mind blowing I always come back to this version just for that over and over and over.

[@max_435]

Hardik Sharma Justin is seriously one of the most under appreciated members. The man is always on point jumping between keys and trumpet, and excelling at both.

[@sandenson]

​@@max_435 And composes some amazing tunes, too. Outlier, Gemini, Broken Arrow...

[@pjeastwood9241]

​@@sandensonBad Kids To The Back and Mr Montauk, too. Very talented guy.😮😊

[@johnnychong44]

The guitar solo by mcqueen is all chills and exciting till the end. Crazy

[@phillipkillebrew2138]

This band... I don't want them super famous because I feel like they're the last good one that not everyone knows about. But I do believe they deserve it... Love you Snarky

[@Voornoek]

a 6 year old gate keeping comment here bois!

[@MarcyRavenManji]

@@Voornoek with a reply saying "devolving to rap" no less, haha

[@toastedman2792]

WHY IS NOBODY TALKING ABOUT HOW GOOD JUSTIN'S SOLO ON SHOFUKAN IS?????!!!!

[@emmywillow6599]

i uncontrollably contorted my face at that guitar solo. Highest compliments to that man.

[@aaronlebos]

True the Henry Lingus solo is insane, but Chris is a certain type of player, very organic. He was obviously going for a different approach with his solo in all aspects: tone,harmonically and direction. All of it might not of hit but when you are a true improvisor like he is you take chances. Chris is a great creative player, period.

[@javiceres]

Agreed. And the splatty fuzzy tone was a bold surprise IMO.

[@pretzelsandgasjets]

I would kill to see a Mike League/Chris Thile collaboration

[@grandvianna8551]

+Jackson Webster I wanna see them do a song with kendrick

[@misterdaviddude]

Oh, hell yeah!

[@SnowCrashR]

OK... I know that I'm late to this, but duh! If I rubbed a genie out, one of the wishes would be for those two to collaborate for (at least) a single full album. Also... I would probably wish for some tissues to clean up my little swimmers.

[@grandvianna8551]

bruh no you didnt!!!! LMAO ^^^^^

[@michaeldemianiuk8816]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJDVgHSjo66GsKc

[@Staniel42]

I thought the guitar solo was awesome. Love it when musicians are confident enough in their own ability to not feel the need to try and emulate a musician they're succeeding. Cory's solo stands on its own, and it's there to be listened to whenever you want to, this guitarist was awesome and played a more tasteful, skilled and groovy solo than most of us can ever hope to pull off.

[@cocoblizzard]

I come back often to that solo. Full of emotions and so narrative. Love it !

[@R.J.1]

Saw a drummer of this band on tour with Journey. Pleasant surprise. *Edit it was Toto, which was on tour with Journey at the same show.

[@MarkPlaysDrumz]

15:04 Any Vulpeck fans? Shaun Martin playing something similar to the Vulpeck jingle.

[@gcavy1]

+Mark McAuley yep! Love those guys too.

[@herrlogi]

Yeah big vulfpeck fan. know any other bands like that?

[@methodLDZ]

my thought exactly :)

[@AkilHenry]

The "Vulpeck Jingle" is basically any church keyboardist doing talk music or ending phrases on the 1 😂

[@valentinasanchez5757]

@@AkilHenry what does that mean?

[@ApocalypseLater8]

Christian McBride's voice is 10/10.

[@theaddictofgaming9174]

His Bass Playing is 10/10

[@equatorial_star]

I'm preparing to my exams so I haven't been listening to music for three days and then I saw this, and on the guitar solo my jaw fell down and the whole body tightened and I couldn't move for several minutes.

[@Unkraut]

am i the only one who loved the guitar solo on lingus? haha

[@jameljohnson9427]

@Vira Alhoniemi i think some are just voicing their opinion of "Lingus". Cory Henry's solo was really breathtaking...astounding.. hard act to follow... but it should take nothing away from the guitarist's approach.. that's music... different approaches...but personally speaking?? Cory Henry will always go down in history for that solo... It already has over a million views...

[@javiceres]

Unkraut Of course you’re not

[@FabianEspinosaPhotog]

Unkraut . I got goosebumps! 🤘

[@Runyan4PREZ]

Damn. It's great.

[@thomasweybrecht]

@@jameljohnson9427 song is sitting at 29m views in 2022

[@willywillywillywillywilly]

A solo worthy of replacing Cory Henry’s. I was wondering what they’d do, and... well alright then! Really cool guitar playing.

[@Generalbas1972]

everytime i hear Lingus, i feel Cory Henry's solo is missing, sorry to say, i bet the guitarplayer is awesome, but that Cory Henry solo is one of the best i have heard in years

[@egormarachev1679]

my thoughts exactly.

[@mybassistight]

Yup. IMHO, It ended up actually defining the song.

[@anticface]

+Funkmaster K Every other version I've heard aside from WLIH is....disappointing :(

[@egormarachev1679]

Cory's solo on lingus is really something else. It took me weeks to copy and play it slowly. And he just plays passages like that so easily. Well I guess that's what happens when you start playing at age 2.

[@Generalbas1972]

yeah and the dude just play those licks without even looking at the keyboard

[@tayiibdauda1353]

Snarky Puppy is the jam! Still waiting on a Mike League/Joe Dart collab (or battle) tho!!!

[@DNS0875]

Snarky Puppy makes the world a better place.

[@HiroForever]

I was turned on to Snarky Puppy by a guy I hired for a job unrelated to music, but he’s a music producer and I think he went to school with some of the Puppies and maybe did some gigging with League. When my guy realized my love for music he said to check out Lalah Hathaway track ‘Something,’ saying she could sing two notes at once or something. The been an addict since.

[@ShawnTheDriver]

Thing of Gold is still my favorite Snarky Puppy song ever.

[@HarryFontaine]

"where's sput/cory/larnell? :(((((((" Working. They are session musicians, how else are they gonna make bank

[@MouadElhmaidi]

Just imagine Guthrie Govan playing that guitar solo on Lingus...

[@exaltedgrooves1521]

+Mouad Elhmaidi This idea just started my fantasy, wow

[@theherbpuffer]

you sir, are genius

[@zhangbrian791]

+Mouad Elhmaidi The sad thing is, this probably will never happen, and what's gonna be sadder is the fact that I live in a world Guthrie Govan does not play with Snarky Puppies

[@theherbpuffer]

+Zhang Brian The idea is intriguing nonetheless

[@SuperM3L0]

+Arthur Crouzet well Bob Reynolds was influenced by Chris

[@DjunkMusic]

that guitar solo was insanely good!

[@paulocapelas2881]

19:25 great solo! Oh yeah

[@legoblox01]

Michael League's faces while playing are amazing.

[@CoreyJohnsonChannel]

AHHH MICHAEL AT 35:14 ON THE BASS I'M DONE

[@quantz.r]

+Corey Johnson tell me about it! I watched this in the library and lost my shit!!

[@raulbora]

06:20 ....Chris is killing it.

[@chrisleggat4668]

I love Shaun Martin's vibe and feel man

[@Rgrguitar850]

Dude, those fills that Mike plays at 35:14 are INSANE!!!!

[@pamted164]

How the Big Band leaders of the 50's and 60's, like Stan Kenton and Shorty Rogers, would be thrilled to hear this band performing live,,just like they did. Adapting new and vibrant beats and sounds. No Synths in those days. It was all done with lip, tongues and fingers!

[@michaelrobinson8304]

7 years later!!!! That ending was hilarious!

[@innanoshe]

Poor guy had to take on Cory Henry's Solo. Would not wish that on anyone.

[@esmircaceres]

i think everyone thought the same

[@randelllewis8601]

😂😂

[@ItzTheFury]

It was a good solo too, but ya; Cory's won't be topped for a while :D

[@soapmctavish8821]

Yeah, just when one thinks the solo can't get better, Cory steps on the gas, goes faster, and better, ...many times during the solo.

[@emeryrushmo]

Was thinking the same thing. Cory caint' be replaced! Still a good song tho!

[@HotStrange]

Pound for pound probably the most talented band out right now.

[@steveurwingreyhairwithcrea5310]

I love the heart of this band...They have raised the bar beyond measure,so thankful they are around.Gives me hope

[@feijoada2902]

Justin Stanton, Your solo on Shofukan will become famous!

[@LesterLuna]

Shaun Martin was not the only one who cried with his solo! 21:05 #Mesmerizing

[@SamuelDuqueG]

Clap your hands in this 5/4!!! Lingus is amazing!

[@danielolivertondo8656]

I’d go see Snarky Puppy over and over again just to see what their take on their songs are every single time

[@doca9357]

give kneebody a listen for you fans of this genre. there was a band with the same bass player in denver in the 90's that was doing this kind of genre with some crazy keyboards many of you folks would have loved, they were called cornbread, too bad not on youtube

[@OlegMisiyan]

I love this group! And Michael League is brilliant!

[@matteogazzolo1]

Pure pleasure on any aspect. Good vibes and great musicians!!

[@samcooke343]

Another great looking show Andy.

[@seanlock688]

Their live performances seem really fun. Thanks for sharing.

[@skemsen]

Great video and information about the band. Loved it.

[@davidsimpson2560]

How have I not had this in my life until now!?! This is soooo good!!!

[@ervinlopez9748]

Apart from the amazing music that was shared, the crowed that loved the music, and the hard work it took to be recognized and be invited to perform which by the way, congrats and also thank you - there was a vibe.

[@feijoada2902]

Confidence is what makes them sound perfect

[@Fexart]

Mike League looks so happy!! really cool vibes

[@MrJoebagodonuts]

These guys are fantastic. I got to see them last fall @ Red Rocks (they were the opening act). As a bonus we ran into Shaun Martin after they were done playing and visited with him for about 10 minutes. One of my best concert experiences ever.

[@blakenunndrums]

Ohhh man! You are such an unbelievable blessing and gift for all! During some of the most profane and darkest times, Mike League is here to save the day! Love you, dude! You're an amazing spirit, I would LOVE to jam with you! Keep rocking, brother! We're gonna be here listening, I promise! ;)

[@einarabelc5]

This is AWESOME!! There is SO MUCH goodness in here implicitly that makes this a true treasure!! The love of people for Music really allows them to be their better selves, lo and behold the results.

[@HiramBlackSheep]

Love this band su much. So inspiring. Always, after listening to Lingus, I have the urge to pick my guitar and jam ♡

[@yaboyreece22]

When instrumental music can captivate like that--- AMAZING.

[@barrymelton614]

I was there. Always a great show!

[@christian53050]

what a band...and what a horn section...

[@empirestatelvr3694]

This band is absolutely incredible. I love the different sounds and themes they put into their music. Jazz fusion pioneers for sure. I’ll be seeing them in June! 2019! Already have my ticket, getting some weather report vibes!

[@Leonecta]

Michael is all this world needs.

[@AlexBrasil32]

I never feel tired about listen Chris Macqueen in his tremendous solo with the band

[@jcjohncarter3]

I was there! That show was awesome! They went on for like two hours playing all their old stuff too.

[@AlexBrasil32]

This Chris Macqueen expressed lots of influences , but in his own .Blessed.

[@dadabraganca6668]

Estou apaixonada por vocês ❤

[@cobra1010]

Unbelievable band! Unbelievable talent of all members! These guys could make history!

[@jamarshia]

Beautiful solo. bravo

[@longcastle4863]

That guitar solo in the opening number was mind blowing.

[@willahumma]

Chris McQueens solo on Lingus is spot on. That tune is know for Cory Henry’s solo (a very hard act to follow). Love the way he did his own thing with it and had fun. Very little ego. Really told a story. Almost enjoy it as much as Cory Henry’s but for different reasons.

[@tylerfedeli2004]

I can totally relate to his writing style. I love hearing popular music from the last few decades and adding or subtracting beats from the measures or accenting the chords at different moments, adds a totally different feel to a recognizable progression or melody.

[@simondrew2914]

Getting the most milegage out of the least information - right! Dirty Loops, for instance (while brilliant) throws everything into the mix, so that the listener is overwhelmed by the information.

[@HalloMrFrog]

Thank you for uploading this 👍🏻👍🏾

[@oscargwav]

i didn't knew that stevie t is playing in snarky puppy

[@einarabelc5]

Yeah man!!!

[@Gazuka]

Oscar Garcia ikr complete lookalike

[@joshpatzzz]

20:40 goosebumps

[@biancaklein6312]

Well this was fun! Love SP!

[@BunkleMcCrunkle]

That guitar solo was awesome!

[@TheReyallday]

amazing as per usual!!

[@50danohi]

They are just awesome as hell!!!

[@thaier007]

As someone who grew up listening to milhem barakat's music now i understand why i love shufokan this much ♥️

[@velvetratm]

Awesome. I can only dream about playing with this guys. But I'll yearn for. *crying*

[@BBSRHINO]

AHH 34:40 Shaun with that mario thoo!

[@jonatanguitar]

Dawg Haha that's really the key to reach all kinds of audiences, such a great move by the keyboard player... They're all incredible musicians!

[@as_v8]

I can't wait to see them in Reno next month

[@tphndband]

Man that whole band was killin smh

[@Yole88]

Cory Henry still can't be replaced , greatest musician ever Non can fit into his shoes , mike a great composer too ... This concert is totally Amazing the atmosphere was lit

[@HiroForever]

Ps. I love every version of this I’ve heard. McQueen killed that $hit. As did whole team