We're interested in a funk-soul/jazz/latin sound in the vein of Earth Wind and Fire, Motown, Tower of Power, Sly and The Family Stone, James Brown, P-Funk, Pleasure, Incognito, Sade, Herbie Hancock, etc.  We anticipate a mix of good covers and originals, which may eventually reach a 50/50 ratio.  Covers may include some great tunes that are obscure, and therefore seem like originals to those hearing them for the first time.  We also anticipate adapting or interpreting covers of choice into our own unique arrangements.
    We have a wide range of influences, including soul, funk, Motown, the Philly sound, traditional jazz, big-band jazz, jazz fusion, jazz-rock, rock, pop, latin, classical, and others.  Rough categories and significant names are given below:

SOUL/FUNK: Earth Wind & Fire, Tower of Power, Sly and the Family Stone, War, Average White Band, James Brown, Maceo Parker, The Meters, Billy Preston, Pleasure

JAZZ/FUNK: Incognito, Michael Henderson, Al Jarreau, Sade, Quincy Jones, Groove Collective, Erykah Badu, Brand New Heavies

SOUL: Marvin Gaye, Supremes, Jr. Walker, Four Tops, Friends of Distinction, Delfonics, O'Jays, Spinners, Curtis Mayfield, Smokey Robinson, Isaac Hayes, Stevie Wonder, Temptations, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, Roberta Flack, Swing Out Sister

FUNK/DISCO: George Clinton (including Parliament / Funkadelic / P-Funk, etc.), Commodores, Isley Brothers, Gap Band, Slave, Rick James, Ohio Players, Brothers Johnson, Chaka Khan, Kool & The Gang

JAZZ/FUSION: Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, John Scofield, Jaco Pastorius, Pat Metheny, Manhattan Transfer, New York Voices, Les McCann, Freddie Hubbard, John Coltrane

JAZZ/LATIN: Caldera, Deodato, Jobim

JAZZ/ROCK: Blood Sweat & Tears, Fabulous Rhinestones, Doobie Bros., Chicago, Gino Vannelli, Lighthouse, Brian Auger

POP/ROCK: Santana, Classics IV, Rascals, Boz Scaggs