SNARKY PUPPY - Somni World Tour 2026

Snarky Puppy is a collective that boldly weaves jazz, funk, rock, and global influences into a vibrant and unmistakable musical language. On September 6th, 2026, audiences at Alexela Concert Hall in Tallinn will have the chance to embark on a true musical journey with one of the most distinctive and forward-thinking ensembles in contemporary music.

Led by bassist, composer, and producer Michael League, Snarky Puppy was formed in 2004 at the University of North Texas, when a group of friends came together simply to play. Over the past two decades, the project has evolved into a global musical family, with more than 20 musicians rotating in and out of the lineup, affectionately known as “The Fam.” Their concerts are known for their joyful energy, deep grooves, and fearless improvisation: often described less as performances and more as world-class jam sessions, executed with extraordinary precision and intent.

As League himself has put it: “We’re not a band. We’re a collective. A family.” Despite their international reach, League has often expressed genuine amazement at how far their music has traveled. “We never expected to tour the world,” he said. “The fact that people connect with our music without lyrics still blows my mind.” Their breakout track “Lingus” proves this as it has since surpassed 20 million streams on Spotify, cementing their status as a genre-shaping force.

Lingus

Snarky Puppy defies easy categorisation. With no lead vocalist and no fixed lineup, the group operates as a living, breathing organism. Their collective approach and layered soundscapes create an ongoing conversation between keyboards, horns, guitars, bass, and percussion. Many of their albums and performances are recorded live, capturing the raw immediacy and shared presence that have become hallmarks of their sound.

Collaboration lies at the very heart of Snarky Puppy’s identity. Over the years, members of the collective have performed, recorded, or arranged music alongside artists such as Erykah Badu, Snoop Dogg, Marcus Miller, Esperanza Spalding, David Crosby, Jacob Collier, Lalah Hathaway, and Salif Keita. The result is a constantly evolving musical fabric – an improvisational weave shaped by some of today’s most inventive and fearless musicians. Snarky Puppy released their ambitious live album “Somni” with the Metropole Orkest in 2025.

Snarky Puppy & Metropole Orkest - Only Here and Nowhere Else (cond. Jules Buckley) [Official Video]

“It’s by far the most ambitious project we’ve ever done … and it was one of the smoothest records we’ve ever made,” says Michael League. “Every individual team just absolutely did their job with so much care and love – from the camera operators to our production team.” That spirit was reflected in the room. “The instant feedback was the warmest we’ve ever had. It was encouraging to know that after 22 years of doing what we do, the music is reaching people.”

That creative ambition has not gone unnoticed. Snarky Puppy has won five Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Performance for “Something” (with Lalah Hathaway), and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for “Sylva” (2016), “Culcha Vulcha” (2017), “Live at the Royal Albert Hall” (2021), and “Empire Centra”l (2023). The band has also been repeatedly named Jazz Group of the Year in DownBeat and JazzTimes readers’ and critics’ polls, with their releases consistently topping international jazz charts.

Fans in Estonia can expect an unforgettable live experience when Snarky Puppy takes the stage at Alexela Concert Hall on September 6th, 2026. Tickets for Live Nation Concert Club members go on sale February 19 at 10:00, with general ticket sales beginning February 20 at 10:00 via Piletilevi online and official sales points.