George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Partners bring NOLA funk

HAMDEN — Sometimes, when you can’t get to New Orleans, it’s a joyful thing for New Orleans to come to you.

Joy will be in abundance Sunday night, Sept. 30, when George Porter Jr. — just about the best bassist and, since his days with The Meters, funkiest musician in New Orleans — stops by with his band, Runnin’ Pardners, for a show at the Space Ballroom. That’s reason to celebrate. Showtime is 8 p.m. Ron Artis II & The Truth open. Tickets are $20 in advance or $22 at the door, available in advance at https://www.spaceballroom.com/. The Space Ballroom is at 295 Treadwell St.

It may sometimes seem as if Porter, who also has made music with the Funky Meters and some of music’s biggest names — Paul McCartney, the Grateful Dead, Irma Thomas, David Byrne, Jimmy Buffett, Patti LaBelle, Taj Mahal, Allen Toussaint, Earl King, Warren Haynes and others — is everywhere.

That’s because he is.

He’s a true New Orleans musical icon who, along with Art Neville, Leo Nocentelli and Joseph Zigaboo Modeliste — his cohorts in The Meters — practically created New Orleans funk.

The Meters was formed in the mid ’60s, disbanded in 1977, but then reformed in 1989. These days, The Meters still play occasional reunions — although you’re more likely to be able to catch an occasional show by the Funky Meters, of which Porter and Neville remain members.

Runnin’ Pardners includes Brint Anderson on guitar, Michael Lemmler on keyboards, Khris Royal on saxophone and Terrence Houston on drums.