NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The Krewe of King James is rolling with Grammy-nominated, Afro-Cuban rockstar Cimafunk as Krewe royalty for their 10-year anniversary celebration in the Krewe Bohème parade on Friday, Jan. 26.
The Krewe of King James was established in 2014 by DJ Soul Sister (Melissa Weber) and Pamela Blackmon to pay tribute to the Godfather of Soul (and Soul Sister’s favorite artist of all time) James Brown. The Krewe takes to the streets of New Orleans during Carnival season to spread the mission of King James Brown, Soul Brother #1, to GET UP OFFA THAT THING. The Krewe works hard and plays hard, celebrating great music, engaging the community, and maintaining a sustainability pledge to “Green the Gras.” Krewe captain Pamela Blackmon is an original co-founder of the Krewe Bohème parade, which debuted in 2019.
Internationally acclaimed Cimafunk is beloved by New Orleans audiences for his irresistible rhythms and burn-down-the-stage, sold-out performances. His name refers to his heritage as a “cimarrón,” Cubans of African descent who resisted and escaped slavery, as well as to the essence of his music that aims to subvert classical Cuban rhythms with innovative mixes of funk, afrobeat and hip hop with implicit connections to New Orleans’ own funk and R&B music. Cimafunk has been called “The James Brown of Cuba” and teamed up onstage with James Brown’s trombonist and musical director Fred Wesley.
The Krewe of King James’ Super Bad Sex Machine Strollers will be on the GOOD FOOT from start to finish of the Krewe Bohème parade, with choreography by Southern dance culture powerhouse performer and instructor Marissa “MoeJoe” Joseph, along with their signature throws of upcycled and hand-designed 45s, and a curated playlist featuring some of Cimafunk’s favorite James Brown tunes.
The Krewe has chosen Brown’s song COLD SWEAT as this year’s theme, inspired by an earlier-than-usual Carnival season that may mean colder temperatures for the early-season Krewe Bohème nighttime parade but couldn’t everget in the way of the funk to make everybody sweat.
