Funk, hip-hop, R&B, and jazz all rolled into one.

7 MP3 Songs
URBAN/R&B: Funk, HIP HOP/RAP: Hip Hop



Details:
FUNK 101 started off in October of 2003 when Marist College sophomores Dwayne Douglas (drums) and Don Shumen (sax) decided to organize a traditional jazz group. Having learned the drums by playing for his local church, Dwayne came from a strong gospel background. Don, on the other hand, was a strong swing player with quick fingers, and a fan of Charlie Parker. They were powerful players in their own right, but they lacked the people to form a full band.

Enter James Scariati, a jazz pianist with a classical background, and Tom Clancey, a jazz guitarist with a rock soul. Together, they began to cover and arrange funk, jazz, and R&B tracks. Shortly after, they were joined by Seth Rivers, an electric and standup bass player known for his jaw-dropping solos, who had played with Dwayne throughout high school. Finally, R&B singer Erika DeLuna was added to the band, rounding out the lineup and enabling them to further expand their musical horizons.

The band began jamming on a weekly basis in early 2004, and their hard work has certainly paid off. In March of 2004, they were the house band for the 6th Annual Prestige Awards Show, playing backup to Martha Wash and Irene Cara in front of a crowd of 1,100 people (Erika and Irene even took turns singing the head to "Fame"). Two months later, the band was given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform a joint show with Brand New and Busta Rhymes, playing right in between both groups (we got pictures if you don't believe us). 1,000 people turned out for the event.

In 2005, Zach Washbond and John Santiago were added to the lineup on trombone and trumpet, respectively. With this addition of a tight horn section, a slew of original tunes, and the completion of a studio album, FUNK 101 looks to take the Hudson Valley - and beyond - by storm.