On Friday July 13th, The Mint LA hosted “THE CONCERTS FOR EARTH” Foundation’s first fundraiser event, “Funk in the Jungle L.A. .” This is event was to raise awareness and money for the foundations mission to educate on the issue of green technology and green living. The event was also a tie in event for a concert coming up in Costa Rica on 12-12-2012 called “FUNK IN THE JUNGLE”, a music and green tech festival that includes a ceremony with the leader of the mayan people signing “THE TREATY TO PEACE WITH THE EARTH” held in the national stadium of Costa Rica. Friday’s show included three performances from incredible artists. The main act was “THE FUNK FOUNDATION.” This amazing band of world class musicians included Roman Johnson – keys (Stevie Wonder), Bobby Watson – bass (Rufus w/ Chaka Khan), Louis Taylor- sax n flute (Earth Wind n Fire), Derok Davis – sax n flute (Butteflow, Solsonics), Jimmy Macon – guitar (the gap band), Joel Scott- keys (The Jackson, Aretha Franklin), Kevin Williams – vox n guitars (The Untouchables, Butterflow, The Bonedaddy’s), and also the lovely Summer Rona – vocals and TJ Gibson – vocals. Also appearing on bongos was my great friend Ed Avakian.
The set ranged from the opening original song of “Get up on it”, a horn popping original soul groove, to classic soul covers songs from Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and James Brown to new classics from Anthony Hamilton and India Irie. The crowd of entertainment professionals and dedicated music fans were blown away by the show and wouldn’t let the group off the stage without an encore, so to answer the screaming fans THE FUNK FOUNDATION threw down on Stevie Wonders “Superstition” with Roman Johnson from Stevie’s Band leading the fellas fresh off a performance for the Queen of England a few weeks back.
Also performing were actor Esai Morales and soul singer Cory Phillips, who gave incredible acoustic set performances and shared their voice for the cause. Model Koya Webb mc’d the evening beautifully and spoke on the importance of keeping your body as well as the planet all natural, and how most sickness in the body as well as on the planet comes from not looking after it’s health.
THE CONCERTS FOR EARTH FOUNDATION will be bringing the people of LA another amazing performance from the FUNK FOUNDATION in August. Look for details coming soon. The organizers of this event are setting the bar high for the “Concert for Earth” and are targeting some of the tops acts in the world, including Sir Paul McCartney and U2. What ever acts commit to the event will be filled in by the monster group that was assembled and on display at the “The Mint” in West Los Angeles on Friday.
