Please note, the small print in the Grassington Festival programme states that Bugalu Foundation and DJ Lubi is a standing event. I defy anyone to stand once the groove and funky beats of their powerhouse nine piece band take hold!

Bugalu Foundation takes the musical traditions of New York’s east and west Harlem to create an irresistible Latin inspired fusion of jazz, funk and soul, which is guaranteed to have all festival go-ers writhing and gyrating, as Grassington Town Hall metamorphoses into a pulsating Hispanic bodega.

Formed over a decade ago by conga player and bandleader, Sam Bell, the Bugalu Foundation originated in the Northern Latin Soul scene prevalent in Leeds and Manchester in the mid 90’s, and has recently regenerated itself with some super talented young local blood, namely Angus Crabtree from Skipton.

Angus who plays the Saxaphone has grown up with jazz, thanks to his late father Harry Crabtree who played in a jazz dance band and taught the saxophone as a hobby, “Dad was a huge formative influence, and was my one and only saxophone teacher until I went on to study at Leeds College of Music,” explains Angus.

“I’ve been with Bugalu Foundation two years and in that time we’ve really started to take off...our EP and our new single ‘One Man Woman’ have been getting loads of air play on Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show on Radio 2 - which has been a great boost for us, as will be playing at Grassington Festival on June 21st. To play in front of a home crowd will be just amazing... Grassington has such an impressive reputation - we are looking forward to a great night with a fantastic party atmosphere.”

Festival Director Kate Beard commented, “We are delighted that the Bugalu Foundation are playing next Saturday night, as its really important to us to support such superb local talent”