The Fatback Band will be heading to Australia for the first time this December for shows in Sydney and Melbourne.

The Fatback Band embodies the imaginative spirit of street music and free expression and was first formed in 1970 by veteran drummer Bill Curtis in New York City. At that time, he had already been playing for 20 years, both as an in-demand session musician and as a drummer touring the country with celebrated acts such as Sil Austin, Red Prysock, Big Maybelle, Bill Doggett, Paul Williams, Clyde McPhatter and the 33rd Army Band and 7th Army Special Services. The "Fatback" concept emerged from Curtis' quest to invent a new groove by merging the "fatback" jazz beat of New Orleans with vivid West Indie and Caribbean rhythms, a novel sound that became the basis for the first disco beat.

Rooted in his decades of experience and re-energized by the modern artistry of Bruno Mars, John Legend, Busta Rhymes, Rihanna, Drake and other young stars, leader Bill Curtis is still dreaming up music that reinvents his band and transcends artistic boundaries to further expand the Fatback legacy. The Fatback Band was awarded the 2013 "Best Soul Gig of the Year" by Under the Bridge and is still in high demand, performing in London, New York City, Tokyo, Baltimore, New Orleans, San Francisco, Berlin and beyond. Often referred to as "The Last of the Great Dance Bands," the group releases a fresh collection of music annually. The latest album, "Get Your Head Out The Phone" came out in 2015. Curtis and the band are currently in the studio finishing up the next album, coming later in 2015.