Big Sam's Funky Nation had just wrapped up a show at Brooklyn Bowl at The LINQ last week when someone smashed the window of their van and stole 3 instruments that were "well hidden" in the vehicle.
The thief or thieves stole a one-of-a-kind trombone, Lackland bass guitar and tan Toakai electric guitar.
The band is currently touring the West Coast and Las Vegas was its first stop.
The urban funk band from New Orleans is led by Big Sam Williams, former trombonist for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and is popular on the music festival circuit. Las Vegas was their first stop on a tour of the West Coast.
The band performed at Brooklyn Bowl on Oct. 12. After the show, they went back to their hotel for the night -- a Holiday Inn on North Nellis Boulevard. They arrived at about 12:30 a.m.
During the night, someone used a large rock to smash a window of their van and steal their beloved instruments. They did not discover the theft until the next day when they were preparing to check out. A clerk at the hotel told Big Sam that a homeless person in the area may have stolen their instruments.
Acting on information divulged by a hotel clerk, Big Sam went to check out a nearby dumpster that was occupied by a homeless man and woman. But, they denied involvement and told Big Sam that someone else may have committed the crime.
The band filed a police report and left town without their instruments. Since then, friends of the band have set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to replace the instruments that were stolen. They are hoping to raise enough money to replace the instruments and pay for the smashed window.
The band is currently in California. Their next show is on Wednesday in Hermosa Beach.
