Michael League & Friends Blue Note Residency Previews GroundUP Vibe, More

By DownBeat I Jan. 27, 2026

Members of Snarky Puppy performed during the recent Michael League & Friends Residency at Blue Note New York, which served as a lead-in to this year’s GroundUP Music Festival.
(Photo: Courtesy Michael League)

The recent Michael League & Friends Residency at Blue Note New York (Jan. 6–25) served as a live lead-in to the GroundUP Music Festival, which celebrates its 10th anniversary March 13–15 in Miami Beach at Miami Bandshell.

The Blue Note residency mirrored the collaborative and artist-driven ethos at the heart of the GroundUP Music Festival. Each night featured a rotating cast of longtime collaborators and emerging voices including Lizz Wright, Becca Stevens, Bill Laurance, members of Snarky Puppy, Genevieve Artadi, Victoria Canal, Antonio Sánchez, Kendrick Scott and others — offering a preview of the community that defines the upcoming Miami festival.

Beyond his work as a bassist, composer, producer and bandleader of Snarky Puppy, League is also the founder of GroundUP Music, an independent New York-based record label and artist services company that supports a global roster of artists across jazz, world, R&B, rock and beyond. While many know League for his performance career, GroundUP Music remains a lesser known but central part of his creative vision, built to give artists the freedom to collaborate, experiment and release music outside traditional industry structures.

League established GroundUP Music in 2012, inspired by Snarky Puppy’s sixth album, groundUP. The label was created to provide a sustainable home for artist owned work and has since grown into a full service platform representing a diverse and internationally recognized roster.

In partnership with GroundUP Music Festival CEO Paul Lehr, League also co-founded the GroundUP Music Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing music education initiatives worldwide. The foundation’s mission is realized annually through the GroundUP Music Festivals. Since launching in Miami Beach in 2017, the festival has featured nightly performances by Snarky Puppy, Julian Lage, Rickie Lee Jones and other globally celebrated artists. In 2025, the foundation expanded to Italy, with plans for continued international growth.

Known for its genre-spanning programming and immersive atmosphere, the GroundUP Music Festival’s blend of jazz, rock, soul, funk, R&B, electronic, hip-hop, world music and singer-songwriter traditions reflects the same collaborative spirit showcased throughout the Michael League and Friends Residency at Blue Note New York. CLICK HERE for more information.

And coming up Aug. 3-6, Snarky Puppy’s Rabbit Hole, A four-day music-making hang with League along with members and friends of the band in Tarrytown, New York. Check it out HERE. DB