"Mumbo Gumbo, Northern California's premiere dance band, just gets better and better...This group kicks!...their CD is a danceable delight, a sparkling set of originals." Dave Barton, Sacramento Bee
"Fresh and exciting...a strong mix of Texas-Louisiana Gulf styles." Larry Kelp, Oakland Tribune
"For getting folks up and dancing there's no one better than the rockin' Creole and Caribbean-spiked sounds of MUMBO GUMBO." Jim Veit, KDVS FM
The roots music of Mumbo Gumbo can best be described as a spicy blend of Gulf Coast musical influences, from rock to soul, afropop to lush balladry, zydeco to country. This musical melting pot of styles creates a celebratory, danceable noise, best known as the festive "Mumbo Gumbo sound". Over nearly 20 years, on the septet's eight albums and during countless gigs around their native Northern California, Mumbo Gumbo has created something that is less a specific style than a particular feeling: The sound of sheer joy. Or, as one of the band's songs puts it, "That big life feeling." Fronted by two first-rate singer/songwriters, Chris Webster and Tracy Walton, the band is anchored and driven by one of the longest-lived rhythm sections in Northern California: drummer Rick Lotter and bassist Lynn Michael Palmer. With Reggy Marks' sax, Jon Wood's guitar, and Steve Stizzo's keyboards fleshing out the band's expansive sound, Mumbo Gumbo has built a reputation not just for danceability, but for creative depth. Mumbo Gumbo performs at events of all kinds: festivals, outdoor concerts, corporate events, private parties, weddings, and just about anything else. This energetic and good-natured group is known for livening up any occasion with their blend of original roots music and a few classic cover tunes. Mumbo Gumbo is fully self-contained and can adjust to settings of all sorts and sizes, from the biggest festival to an intimate backyard party.