_Photo: Jeffrey Dupuis_

Funky Meters drummer Russell Batiste Jr. has parted ways with the band. Batiste, who co-founded the group with bassist George Porter Jr., keyboardist Art Neville and guitarist Brian Stoltz, has has been replaced by Toubab Krewe/GPJ and the Runnin’ Pardners drummer Terrence Houston. A statement from the New Orleans funk outfit explains:

We Love Russell and wish him nothing but the best moving forward. It’s been an amazing musical journey, but after much discussion, it’s time for us to start the next chapter of the band. We brought Terrence out to play the last few run of dates, starting with a Sold Out show in Nashville and ending with 2 Sold Out shows in Brooklyn at The Brooklyn Bowl and…it was throwin’ bricks (amazing shows).

The Funky Meters will return to the stage on September 6, when they play the Hideout Block Party Festival in Chicago.