Atta Kid

Founded in 2012, Atta Kid creates a musical bridge between East Bay funk and New Orleans soul that has made them a staple of the Bay Area scene for over a decade. Led by saxophonist and vocalist Daniel Casares — who has performed with Robben Ford and Lauryn Hill — and keyboardist Max Cowan, the ensemble crafts "bouncy beats punctuated by soulful horn punches, sneaky organ swells and scratchy rhythm guitar."

Cowan brings over 20 years of experience across jazz and funk, having collaborated with notable musicians including George Porter Jr. and John Patitucci. His Hammond B-3 work anchors the band's signature sound that reaches "into the swampy lilt of New Orleans and the razor-sharp precision of the East Bay at the same time."

Expect original compositions that showcase a sound uniquely their own, alongside reimagined classics — think Lee Morgan tunes given fresh treatment or Stevie Wonder ballads transformed into upbeat funk. Their recent Keys Jazz Bistro appearances have featured tributes to Stuff and Maceo Parker, demonstrating their deep respect for funk's foundational artists.

The band's live performances radiate "unbridled joy," with their technical prowess serving "tunes that are as academically impressive as they are toe-tappingly accessible." They clearly love playing together, "allowing the winding, improvisational paths of their songs to lead them in directions that are delightfully surprising, even to them." The typical lineup includes trumpet, guitar, bass, and drums alongside the core duo, creating a full horn-section sound that brings both the groove and the party.

Atta Kid promises to take you "on a round-trip from Oakland to the bayou" — a perfect description for a band that blends academic jazz chops with dance-floor energy, making every set both musically sophisticated and thoroughly danceable.