Type: A large, horn-based funk/soul/jazz band playing part-time and gigging 3 - 6 times a month.  The group shall be considered a Funk-Soul-Jazz Band that focuses mainly on dance-able R&B, Funk, and Soul, but also touches on Jazz and Jazz/Rock (fusion).  Primary Influences: Tower of Power, Earth Wind and Fire, Motown, Sly and The Family Stone, James Brown, Incognito, Sade, P-Funk, Commodores, Ohio Players, Kool & The Gang, many others.

Songs: Great funk and soul covers from the '60s to current, primarily "Old School" as well as a healthy proportion of great originals. Songs will often be very dance-oriented, with a positive feel.  Initially develop "covers", then ultimately blend them with originals. (There are far too many great covers to abandon them for all-originals; covers can also be arranged to suit our preferences.)  Not all covers may be well-known, since there has been a lot of great, yet underexposed, material.

Instruments: Full rhythm section, adding great lead and harmonizing vocals as well as some horns and percussion.  Likely size: ultimately 7-11 players total.

Location: Typically perform within 30-60 minutes' drive of the Dover-Durham-Portsmouth, NH area, including Concord, Manchester, and Portland ME - and occasionally to Boston, Providence, and Cape Cod.

Time Commitment: Part-time band - total time required will be at least 10 hours/week, and considerably more when gigging regularly.  Although part-time, this is NOT a hobby band!  Realistically, if you have a full-time day job, this band will probably occupy a large percentage of your spare time, and you must be willing to make the required sacrifices.  Details:

Rehearse twice a week (unless gigging frequently).  Probable rehearsal times will be weekday evenings (e.g., Tuesdays/Thursdays 7-10 p.m.) and occasional ad hoc weekend afternoons for make-up or if interest and availability warrants.

Gig 3 - 6 times a month, ideally on alternating weekends whenever possible (e.g., 2 gigs one weekend, the next weekend off); this allows members to have a social life, to see other performers, to take vacations, etc.

Home practice (homework) to learn parts is part of the required commitment.

Contribute to band development, publicity, booking, and general promotion.

Players: Should be committed to the music and the goals, no ego issues (i.e., you should be well-centered - with neither an overinflated self-image nor insecurity about your musicianship), no drug/alcohol abuse, enthusiastic, passionate, cooperative, hard-working, respectful, flexible, and reasonably talented (with a deep commitment to grow and improve).  Attitude and behavior are even more important than ability.  Good instruments/equipment required; good transportation preferred.

Our mission is to:

• revive the upbeat, positive, dance-able funk-soul-jazz-latin sound which flourished primarily between 1969 and 1987 and represented by such great groups as Tower of Power, Earth Wind & Fire, and Parliament/Funkadelic (to see list of influences, click here);

• create original music that is faithful to the hope, the feeling, and the groove of the "old school"; provide a vehicle for growth and expressing a positive message;

• perform with a high level of musicality, quality, energy, creativity, and showmanship;

• commit to a long-term satisfaction of our own musical/creative aspirations while having fun making great music and maintaining a strong appeal to our audiences; expose people to truly great music (covers or originals) that they've never heard before;

• recognize that an excessive focus on money or fame will compromise the music and the long-term viability of the group; we have "day" jobs and our interest in performing the music we want to play far outweighs monetary considerations;

• be associated with many of the area's best funk/soul events.

This band will have a heavy emphasis on horns, percussion, and harmonizing vocals. Ideally, many players will be versatile enough to play several instruments and sing. The likely size of the band would be between 7 and 11 players. The ideal band could comprise the following in a phased development:
 

Due to the wide variety of music we are planning, multi-instrumental/voice capabilities are a definite asset.

Members of the group ideally:

• Love this kind of music and have an overwhelming desire to play it.

• Truly believe that commercialism in music has gotten way out of hand and that money and fame are not authentic, laudable goals - making good music is.  Therefore, you should have a reliable outside income/funding source that will not interfere with the band.

• Are reasonably talented and competent.  Serious, educated musicians with some college-level music education are preferred.  We may consider talented but "rusty" players who will practice diligently to quickly improve their skills and get back up to speed.

• Are not egotistical and are willing to grow and learn in an atmosphere of cooperation and collaboration.

• Believe in fun, collaboration, cooperation, commitment, self-expression, soul, love, humor, emotion, passion, and art.

• Have respect for each other, which means showing up to rehearsals and gigs on time, helping each other, learning parts quickly, and always acting courteously and professionally.

• A stable core is necessary to carry out the mission and to keep the vision alive (to care about the music more than money or fame, etc.).

• Everyone (particularly "core" members) must agree on mission and goals and not lose sight of them.

• Sheet music to facilitate player substitution (especially horns) when scheduling conflicts arise.

Bassist Forming a New Funk-Soul-Jazz Band!

Solid bassist forming a FUNK-SOUL-JAZZ band.  Seeking solid guitar, drums, keys (then singers and horns) for a part-time, old-school band based in the Dover-Durham-Portsmouth, NH area to perform a great mix of covers and originals.  Infl.: Tower of Power, Earth Wind & Fire, Motown, Sly, James Brown, Incognito, Sade, Brand New Heavies, P-Funk,... many others.  You must be committed to the music (not focused on money!!!), enthusiastic, reliable, cooperative, and hard-working.  Great attitude, no "ego", no substance abuse, and "day job" essential.    Serious candidates only.   Please follow the "New Funk Band" link at our web site for much more information.  E-mail: _____________.  www.soulfunk.org.