It was not just a regular Thursday night in October in Los Angeles. Two great bands played at The El Rey Theatre. Anders Osborne, a prolific songwriter and guitarist based in New Orleans and his stellar band opened the show. Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, a funk, soul, rock and fusion band led by the multi-talented saxophonist followed with special guest Zach Deputy. The KDTU set ended up as a brilliant tribute to the music of Ray Charles. The night was epic and although the crowd was disappointingly small, everyone in attendance enjoyed an amazing show.

Anders Osborne has been a prolific songwriter over the past few years. He opens his new album Peace with a song of the same title that contains a fuzzy riff very reminiscent of “Cortez the Killer,” a Neil Young classic that Osborne often tears up in his live shows. This new collection of eleven extremely listenable tunes follows up on the frequently brilliant singing and guitar playing Osborne demonstrated on 2011’s American Patchwork and 2012’s Black Eyed Galaxy, both on Alligator Records. With this new Alligator release, Osborne continues to grow as a musician and songwriter.

The 2013 Long Beach Funk Festival took place in the heart of downtown on a beautiful July day. This is the first year that the festival has charged admission so expectations were high for an enhanced entertainment event. The festival ran all day and musical acts performed on two stages separated by The Promenade and Broadway. Throughout the venue, vendors were selling food, beverages and a variety of wares.