The Family Stone + Sure Fire Soul Ensemble

Standard Tickets $30-$102 including fees (face value $25-$85). No fees if purchased at the CCAE Box Office in person.

The Family Stone keeps the music of Sly and the Family Stone alive on stages around the world. Formed in San Francisco (1966), Sly and the Family Stone made history as America’s first major multi-racial, multi-gender touring band. Their infectious blend of funk, soul, R&B, rock, and psychedelia propelled them to global fame. Fronted by the visionary Sly Stone, the band’s original lineup included his brother Freddie Stone (guitar), sister Rose Stone (keyboards), Jerry Martini (saxophone), Larry Graham (bass), Greg Errico (drums), and the late, great Cynthia Robinson (trumpet). Affectionately known as “Papa J,” Jerry Martini helped shape the band’s revolutionary sound. “Sly and I formed a lifelong bond when I nudged him into leading the band in 1965,” says Martini. “Our influence helped shift the landscape of popular music in ways that still resonate today.” Carrying the torch forward is powerhouse vocalist Phunne Stone—daughter of Cynthia Robinson and Sly Stone. Her electrifying performances honor her parents’ legacies while forging a bold path of her own. Sly is proud to witness her vocal prowess in performing his music on stage. Today, The Family Stone remains true to its original mission: to uplift and unite. Still multi-racial and multi-gender, the band continues to inspire audiences of all ages to STAND for peace, equality, and everyday people.

The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble is a 9 piece, heavy, mostly instrumental funk band from San Diego, CA. Their influences are vast and include Hip Hop groups like Wu-Tang Clan and De La Soul, as well as funk and soul masters like Isaac Hayes, The Meters, and James Brown. Their last two LPs debuted in the top 15 on Billboard’s
Contemporary Jazz Chart. SFSE is equally at home in the studio as they are on the stage, where their original songs transform and take on new life through live performance. They have shared the stage with Kamasi Washington, Quantic, Lee Fields, Monophonics, Jungle Fire, and most recently served as backing band for Hip Hop legend, Big Daddy Kane. The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble are definitely still on a roll coming off of their fourth studio LP for Colemine Records, Step Down, which debuted at #14 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart. They released a live album in 2023 on All-Town Sound. The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble’s 5th studio album, Gemini, will be out March 28, 2025 via Colemine Records.