Snacktime Band Shines on Jason Kelce’s New ESPN Show

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Snacktime, the Philadelphia-based funk-soul band, took center stage last Friday as the house band for the taping of Jason Kelce’s new ESPN talk show, *They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce*. The septet, known for its energetic performances and brass-heavy sound, brought its signature flair to Union Transfer, where the show was filmed in front of a lively crowd dressed in Eagles green and Kansas City red.

Led by singer-rapper-saxophonist Yesseh Furaha-Ali and tuba player Sam Gellerstein, Snacktime kicked off the show with a rousing rendition of Parliament’s “Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker).” The band’s performance set the tone for the evening, which included appearances by NBA legend Charles Barkley and a beer-drinking contest hyped by Gellerstein’s whistle.

The Snacktime-Kelce connection dates back to 2022, when the band performed at a fashion show for Kelce’s Underdog clothing line, benefiting his (Be) Philly nonprofit. Kelce, a former Philadelphia Eagles center, sought a brass-heavy Philly band to honor the dramatic music of NFL Films composer Sam Spence. “When I think of NFL music, I think of brass,” Kelce said in an interview. “Snacktime has the kind of talent where they can do everything. They’re all excellent musicians.”

Snacktime’s rise from playing for tips in Rittenhouse Square to performing on a national stage is a testament to its relentless work ethic and versatility. The band, which started as a rotating cast of up to 25 members, has since streamlined to seven core musicians. Their 2022 debut album, *Sounds From the Street: Live*, marked a turning point in their career, as they began aiming for a national audience.

“We had to make this conscious decision,” said saxophonist Ben Stocker. “Do we want to stay here at this level, or do we want to get to the next level?” The band’s decision to drop “Philly” from its name reflects its aspirations to become a touring act. Snacktime has already played amphitheater dates with Portland’s Portugal. The Man and headlined a New Year’s Eve show at Brooklyn Bowl.

Despite their growing success, Snacktime remains rooted in its Philadelphia origins. “It was important to me for this to be a Philadelphia band,” Kelce said. “A piece of the Philadelphia scene. We tried to do that with the whole show. It’s filmed here. The venue is here. I thought it was important to pay respect to the city that gave me my career.”

Snacktime’s role on *They Call It Late Night* extends beyond music. The band is responsible for hyping the crowd during breaks, a task they take seriously. “Hyping the crowd is really important,” Stocker said. “Sometimes the role will just be to walk a guest on stage, and sometimes more than that.”

While the band’s screen time has been limited so far, its members are grateful for the opportunity. “Everything leads to everything,” Gellerstein said. “It’s about critical mass. The Kelce show is as important as the festival, which is as important as the wedding we played that the Kelce show producer was at.”

Snacktime’s journey from street performers to late-night TV band is a testament to the power of word-of-mouth and relentless dedication. As Gellerstein put it, “This band’s superpower is the word of mouth spread by the people who love us.”