Snarky Puppy

Few bands sit as comfortably between jazz, rock, funk and world music as Snarky Puppy, the American group steered by bassist Michael League. Formed in Denton, Texas, in 2004, after League's second year at the University of North Texas, the ensemble began as a ten-piece and grew into a rotating collective its members call The Fam. League has called the group a pop band that improvises a lot, without vocals, a fair summary of its tight grooves and open solos.

The discography begins with Live at Uncommon Ground, a 2005 album League released himself, and three independently issued records followed. Tell Your Friends, groundUP, Family Dinner – Volume 1 and We Like It Here came out on the band's GroundUP imprint through Ropeadope. In 2014 the group shared the Best R&B Performance Grammy with Lalah Hathaway for their take on Brenda Russell's "Something". Sylva, Culcha Vulcha, Live at the Royal Albert Hall and Empire Central each took the Best Contemporary Instrumental Album award in 2016, 2017, 2021 and 2023.