|
Funkytown
is one of New England's most sought after dance bands for weddings,
private parties and corporate functions. This dynamic and energetic
band features two singers who perform an extraordinary
variety of music for dancing and listening. Music choices include
jazz
standards, R&B, classic and contemporary rock, funk, soul,
jump and Texas blues, reggae, Brazilian, Calypso, Ska and much
more.
Derrik Jordan is
a soulful
lead vocalist who plays electric violin, keyboards and
percussion.
He has sung national commercials, performed in numerous New England-based
bands and has produced jazz, children's,
folk and Native American independent recordings. In 1992 he made
his national recording debut on "Right As Rain," a compilation
CD to benefit the rainforest that featured Jerry Garcia and Paul
Winter.
His songs have been recorded by Angela Bofill and O.C. Smith among
others.
He has released three CDs of his original music -"Expecting
A Miracle" (1997),
co-produced with Tom "T-Bone" Wolk (Hall & Oates,
Carly Simon), "Touch
The Earth" (2002) and "SuperString Theory" (2003).
His song "Something's Gonna
Change" won top honors as 2002 Reggae Song Of The Year from
Just Plain Folks, the world's largest songwriter organization.
Todd Royce is a vocalist, guitarist
and songwriter. Royce has been a prominent player in New England
and beyond since the early 90's,
notably during his tenure with the nationally known "Eight
to The Bar." Lighting
up stages and exciting audiences with his exceptional guitar playing
and singing, he is in demand for recording sessions from Vermont
to New York. Todd has shared the stage with many of the best in
blues
including
dates with Roomful Of Blues, NRBQ, Texas Flood and Duke Robillard.
He has composed music for film and has released a full length original
CD, "Step
Into The Light," for which he received favorable reviews from
mainstream critics. His style draws from the great blues rock and
jazz guitarists
while developing a singular sound and approach all his own. Royce
is
an alumnus
of The Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Paul Venezia is a versatile
bassist, performing on electric upright bass and electric bass
guitar. Playing professionally since the
age of 15, Paul has toured the US and Europe with Luther "Guitar
Jr." Johnson,
worked extensively with Vermont's Al Alessi, including performances
at
the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. Paul has also performed with
numerous other acts throughout New England. His recent projects
include
Hipology and recording in his home studio.
PJ Donahue, drummer, has performed from the
tip of Maine to southern Florida and has accumulated countless
hours behind his kit onstage,
on the road and in the studio. Providing the backbeat for a variety
of groups has
given him diverse experience in many styles, though funk, R&B
and blues remain his forte. He has performed with The Radio Junkies
and Brick
House and has opened for Maceo Parker, Semisonic and The Radiators.
Erik Lawrence (Funkytown's optional fifth member) plays saxophones and flutes.
He began playing sax at five years old under the guidance
of his father, jazz musician, founder of the New School of Jazz
in NYC. He has received a Meet-the-Composer Grant for his writing
and
has
performed solo improvised saxophone at Carnegie Recital Hall
in New York. Erik
has performed and/or recorded with numerous artists in his roles
as sideman and bandleader including Bob Dylan, Buddy Miles, Branford
Marsalis,
The Band,The Spin Doctors and Chico Hamilton.
|