GroundUp Family Dinner Weekend 2025
Miami Beach Feb. 8-9
By: Jules Dean | Photos: Brad Stevens
As the sun rose on Sunday, we found ourselves bleary-eyed yet buzzing with excitement after an unforgettable Late Night Jam Session at Magic13 that lasted deep into the early morning hours. By 1:50 PM, anticipation filled the air as we eagerly gathered at the canopy stage for a masterclass led by the phenomenal Eric Gales, aptly titled “6 Strings and the Truth.” After witnessing his electrifying two-song performance during the Family Dinner the night before, we knew that missing this session was not an option. But before diving into the highlights, let’s explore what makes the GroundUp Family Dinner Weekend a truly unique experience.
The Heart of GroundUp Family Dinner Weekend
GroundUp Family Dinner Weekend is a revitalized version of the beloved GroundUp Music Festival, held annually at the Miami Beach Bandshell since 2017. This year, the festival embraced a “less is more” philosophy, striking the perfect balance between maintaining its laid-back ambiance and enriching the music culture that attendees cherish. With a more focused roster of talent, the festival fostered a cozy environment where fans could connect with musicians on a personal level. Each day begins with enriching masterclasses, where attendees learned from industry legends like Eric Gales, John Scofield and Bill Frisell. These sessions were designed to inspire and educate, making them invaluable for musicians and fans. This intimacy allowed for deeper appreciation of their performances while providing opportunities to gain insight into the creative process directly from the artists.
Saturday Highlights
As the day waned, the festival transformed into a vibrant musical celebration. As the sun began to set, Munir Hossn and Elas, an extraordinary multi-instrumentalist took the stage. Munir’s background—drawing from African, Italian, Middle-Eastern, and Brazilian Indigenous influences—resulted in compositions that were not only stylistically original but also a true embodiment of the GroundUp ethos.
Following Munir Hossn’s performance, the stage was set for the legendary John Scofield Trio. As one of the giants of late 20th-century jazz guitar, alongside contemporaries like Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell—who would grace the stage the following night—Scofield brought a wealth of experience and creativity to the performance. Throughout his set, Scofield showcased his masterful improvisational skills, which he has honed over decades in the music industry. His ability to navigate complex harmonic structures while maintaining melodic integrity was nothing short of mesmerizing. A striking feature of the trio’s performance was their capacity to push both harmony and melody to the brink of chaos. This tension built an exhilarating atmosphere, as the musicians skillfully toyed with musical boundaries. Just when it seemed like the music might spiral out of control, they would seamlessly return to the main theme, providing a satisfying resolution that left the audience in awe.
Snarky Puppy, known for their innovative jazz, funk, and world music blend, kicked off the night with a virtuosic performance. Though bandleader Michael League hinted at their recently recorded album, we didn’t hear any new tunes. The set list favored their last release, Empire Central. Highlights included Trinity, Cliroy, and a dedication of the song “Belmont” to the widow of Sean Martin, a former member who passed away last year. The performance was both somber and celebratory of his contributions to the band.
Following Snarky Puppy’s set, the stage transformed for the Family Dinner—an exhilarating mash-up featuring Snarky Puppy alongside a diverse lineup of artists. First up was Gaby Moreno, a talented singer-songwriter hailing from Guatemala. With a career that includes a Grammy nomination and collaborations with musical legends such as Bono from U2 and the Buena Vista Social Club, Moreno delivered a captivating performance. Being backed by Snarky Puppy allowed her to explore the range of her exceptional talent while setting the stage for what was to come.
Next, the energy surged as Eric Gales took the stage, captivating the crowd with his vibrant presence and flamboyant style. Renowned for his unique left-handed guitar technique, which involves playing backward and upside down, Gales was poised to showcase his formidable skills. Before he commenced, Michael League, the bassist of Snarky Puppy, playfully warned the audience to step back, as things were about to get loud. Gales didn’t disappoint. His two-song set was nothing short of a masterclass in blues guitar, solidifying his status as one of today’s most esteemed blues guitarists. With each note, he demonstrated his exceptional technique and profound emotional connection to the music. During an improvised blues jam, the band unexpectedly transitioned into a rendition of “Don’t Fear the Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult. This seemingly random moment felt perfectly aligned with the improvisational spirit of the Family Dinner. The seamless transition showcased the musicians’ versatility and creativity, thrilling the audience. Gales’ guitar work was so electrifying that it felt as if the instrument might catch fire, and the amplifier could explode with energy. As he concluded his second song, the intensity was palpable, leaving the audience in awe of his performance. Michael League humorously remarked that Eric Gales had burned a hole in the stage, a fitting testament to the fiery passion he infused into his set. The praise was mutual, as he expressed his admiration for Snarky Puppy, declaring them the best backing band in the world.
Lisa Fischer, following in the footsteps of Eric Gales, delivered a remarkable performance of two iconic Rolling Stones classics, “Jumping Jack Flash” and “Wild Horses.” Her career took off in the 1980s as a session singer, eventually leading her to embark on long-term tours with renowned artists like Luther Vandross and the legendary Rolling Stones. The Family Dinner concluded with a special performance by two members of the iconic band Living Colour, singer Corey Glover and drummer Will Calhoun. Regrettably, they were only able to perform one song, “Neighborhood,” before the set was abruptly cut short due to a noise ordinance in Miami Beach. However, Michael League assured the audience that they would make up for it by performing their second song on the second night of the Family Dinner.
Late Night Jam Session
This year, the late-night jam session was held at Magic13 Brewing in the lively Magic City neighborhood of Miami. The heart of the jam session was the band Electric Kif, who performed throughout the night with various members of Snarky Puppy. These members effortlessly passed instruments during the songs, ensuring the jam session could go on indefinitely. At one point, the jam session even took an unexpected turn into a Ghostbusters-themed jam session. Overall, it was a night filled with fun improvisations that kept the crowd entertained. We couldn’t help but wonder how they could possibly top Day 1.
Sunday Highlights
As mentioned earlier, we began day two feeling a bit worse for wear but brimming with anticipation to witness Eric Gales’ masterclass. Beyond his exceptional musical prowess, Gales is also an engaging storyteller. He regaled us with anecdotes spanning his entire career, from his signing at the tender age of 15 to his electrifying performance on stage with Santana at Woodstock ’94 (the good one he proudly mentioned, not the infamous one that ended in flames). He also shared his struggles with addiction and how his wife brought about his later-in-life stability. Gales skillfully interspersed his stories with a few tunes, creating a captivating musical experience.
As the day drew to a close on Sunday, Bill Frisell took the stage with his trio. In stark contrast to John Scofield’s improvisational style the night before, Frisell’s approach focused more on melody, creating a soothing and enjoyable musical experience for the audience. His drummer and bass player played exceptionally well, providing a solid foundation for Frisell to explore his melodic ideas.
The second night of the Family Dinner featured a stellar lineup of guests musicians, including John Scofield, Madison McFarrin, Shayna Steele, and Youssou N’Dour. Madison McFarrin made a special debut with a beautiful ambient song from her upcoming album, setting the stage for its release and comparing it favorably to her rendition with Snarky Puppy. John Scofield showcased his remarkable range of skills, delivering a more dynamic performance compared to the trio the previous night. This difference can be attributed to the unique sound possibilities offered by a band like Snarky Puppy, which are not fully realized in a trio. Their rendition of his tune “A Go Go” was particularly exceptional. Shayna Steele graced the stage next. She humorously mentioned that the song from first Grammy-winning Family Dinner album was her biggest hit. The highlight of the set was undoubtedly Youssou N’Dour, a Senegalese singer who gained international recognition for his vocal contributions to Peter Gabriel’s iconic hit “In Your Eyes.” Snarky Puppy held him in such high esteem that he was the only artist they performed three songs with. His performance and stage presence throughout the set were nothing short of amazing. While the second night may not have been as explosive as the first, it was equally exceptional in its own right.
The GroundUp Family Dinner Weekend was a vibrant tapestry of sounds that blended music, community, and education. Attendees ended with amazing weekend in awe of the performances and eager for future editions.
