This is FRESH AIR. In the 1970s, influential musicians such as Ornette Coleman began combining free jazz and electric funk. Three notable vets of free funk bands periodically team up to get ...

There are two dominant aspects to the musical style of the persuasive, hard swinging saxophonist and composer Ian Hendrickson-Smith. One comes via soul and funk jazz, a bluesy approach he calls "dirty ...

Charlotte has a rich history of funk music. Back in 1965, the "Grandmaster of Funk" himself Mr. James Brown recorded his single “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” right here in the Queen City. As one of ...

Uncover the journey of funk music, showcasing its rhythmic roots and the top funk songs that illustrate its lasting cultural ...

Jarrod Lawson did pretty well for himself in Portland. A native of California’s Bay Area, he moved there when he was 8, started playing the piano at the age of 12, settled into the Rose City’s fertile ...

Big Sam’s Funky Nation will perform Saturday, Sept. 30. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Jazz'SAlive Big Sam’s Funky Nation is bringing its raucous, brass-fueled funk to San Antonio as a headliner for the ...

Corey Paul’s dream of leading a live funky jazz ensemble that nodded to the intergalactic noir-western series “Cowboy Bebop” seemed like a far-out fantasy. Now it’s a reality, and the show’s hitting ...

On September 11th, the legendary jazz/funk group The Headhunters will perform at The Hamilton in Washington, D.C., with the brilliant funk/blues guitarist Sol Roots as the opening act. The Headhunters ...

While it is generally agreed that the birthplace of jazz is New Orleans and that it was first performed there in the early 1900s, it’s not the only music style to come out of the Crescent City.

The inevitable result of a talent-soaked soul and jazz community, The Funky Knuckles are taking the sound of Dallas to an entirely different level. They have been together six years and have held a ...

Albums like To Pimp a Butterfly and 1999 blend jazz harmonies with sharp lyricism, proving the genre’s deep connection. Hip-hop may keep evolving, but funk and jazz remain its heartbeat, fueling its ...

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