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Grupo Fantasma is a nine-piece, Grammy Award-winning Latin funk orchestra from Austin, Texas. Formed in 2000 from the merger of two Austin acts, The Blimp and The Blue Noise Band, the band emerged with a sold-out show at the former Empanada Parlour in Austin in November 2000. The band is best known for their exuberant live shows, innovative contemporary recordings and associations with Prince and his 3121 Club in Las Vegas. The band has backed Prince on numerous occasions, including his performance on the ALMA Awards in 2007, and often perform at his after-party jam sessions. The band has performed with a diverse array of artists including Maceo Parker, Sheila-E, GZA of Wu-Tang Clan, Spoon, Daniel Johnston, and many others. The ensemble has sold more than 20,000 albums independently and has had music featured in many popular television series.
Grupo Fantasma twice played the Austin City Limits Music Festival and taped an episode of the Austin City Limits television series on PBS, which first aired November 17, 2007. They have also performed at such festivals as the Montreal Jazz Festival, Bonnaroo, Wakarusa, WOMAD, North Sea Jazz Festival and the Calgary Folk Music Festival as well as having headlined numerous SXSW showcases in their career. The band performs relentlessly, regularly doing over 150 performances a year. Their horn section has also made various appearances on worldwide releases and has recently performed with indie rock band Spoon. Grupo Fantasma's music has been featured in the NYC public-access television cable TV show The Unbelievable Show from 2001 to 2004. The band has garnered over a dozen Austin Music Awards, including an induction into the Austin Music Hall of Fame. The group's album Sonidos Gold was nominated for Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album for the 51st Grammy Awards. Grupo's album El Existential was awarded the Grammy for Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album at the 53rd Grammy Awards two years later.
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