The many fans that the Austin, Texas, salsa-cumbia-funk band Grupo Fantasma has picked up would likely be happy to come forward with testimonials to the 11-piece outfit's live power.

One of those admirers, otherwise known as Prince, has taken his enthusiasm to a higher level.

After hearing the band's high-energy live album, 2006's "Grupo Fantasma Comes Alive," Prince booked the group for a two-month residency at his Las Vegas club, 3121, for the weekly Latin night.

Duly impressed, the artist then invited the group to open a recent London arena date and to join him for additional appearances.

Grupo Fantasma was born in 2000 when guitarist Adrian Quesada booked a show at an Austin club and promised to draw a crowd of 200 -- without yet having a band. Despite the group's hastily wrought genesis, more than half of the original 11 members are still involved.

David Lobel, a co-founding sax player who left the group in June to serve as its manager, sees Grupo Fantasma offering something for everyone at the National Folk Festival. "[The show is] vibrant and energetic -- a great mix of Latin styles. Very funky.

"Grupo really prides itself that you can go and just have a great time and move the way you want to move and not really be worried if you have the proper salsa moves or salsa shirt on."

Grupo Fantasma performers tonight 9:15-10:30 p.m. Check the schedule for more times and locations.

 -- Hays Davis