The Greyboy Allstars
The Greyboy Allstars bring their five-piece West Coast boogaloo to Pappy & Harriet’s: Karl Denson on saxophone and flute, Elgin Park on guitar, Aaron Redfield on drums, Chris Stillwell on bass, and Robert Walter on keyboards. Expect the group’s blend of jazz, soul, funk and rare-groove influences, built for deep rhythmic workouts as much as open-ended improvisation. Their latest release, Grab Bag: 2007–2023, collects previously unreleased tracks, deep cuts and left-field material recorded across 15 years.
Born in San Diego as the all-star house band for DJ Greyboy’s underground label, the group has spent more than three decades shaping a sound it calls West Coast boogaloo. Its 1994 debut, West Coast Boogaloo, featured funk trombonist Fred Wesley and helped fuel a West Coast acid-jazz and funk revival. NPR calls the music “danceable, groove-oriented acid jazz,” while AllMusic hears “James Brown’s knack for slamming riffs with the swinging groove of the Crusaders,” calling the result “a heady, irresistible sound.” The members’ wider work includes Denson’s longtime touring role with the Rolling Stones, and Park’s film-composing career.
Pappy & Harriet’s began as the cantina on a 1940s Western film set, and that history still frames a night here: the venue sits among Pioneertown’s old movie-set facades, with the desert just beyond. It is a restaurant and live-music venue, with shows in indoor and outdoor spaces; the setting and touring acts make the trip feel tied to this particular outpost, rather than just a concert stop. Shows are ticketed, general admission and standing-room only, with ADA seating available at either stage. The restaurant is separate, serves food, and runs a first-come, first-served waitlist, so put your name down early if you want dinner; eating does not secure a show ticket. Check the event details for doors and weather, especially for an outdoor performance.