Shambhala brings jazz-funk-rock groove north to Fernwood.

Because Fernwood happens to be located on Highway 1 between Monterey and San Luis Obispo,  it is able to draw on the best acts from the two small cities. One case in point is San Luis Obispo’s instrumental trio Shambhala, which plays the small Big Sur bar Saturday.

The band was formed in 1996, when guitarist Eric Sajovic, bass player Josh Barrett and drummer Tucker Fritch were in high school. Instead of playing sock hops, the rock-funk-jazz band started playing San Luis Obispo bars like the Frog and Peach Pub and S.L.O. Brew.

Since drummer Mark Tarlton has taken Fritch’s spot, Shambhala has played the 2000 and 2002 Big Sur Jazz Festival and opened for Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe at S.L.O. Brew.

In addition to playing songs like Jimi Hendrix’s “Third Stone From the Sun,” the band plays lots of originals like “Mind Body” and “Drone” (which sounds sort of like The Mermen crossed with Medeski, Martin & Wood).

Barrett says being an instrumental group has both advantages and disadvantages. Almost everyone likes a good jam, but Barrett admits that at almost every other show some drunken fool decides he will grab the microphone and sing for the band.

Hopefully, Saturday’s crowd at Fernwood will abstain from singing and support the band with lots of cheers, because the show is being recorded as a possible part of an upcoming live album.

Shambhala plays Fernwood Bar, 25 miles south of Carmel on Highway One, Saturday at 9pm. No cover. 667-2422.