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Will Scruggs (saxophones)
Ken Watters (trumpet)
Wes Funderburk (trombone)
A Brief History of The Funderhorns:
The Funderhorns began their relationship in 2006 after Wes Funderburk received a phone call from Dallas Austin's studio to put together a horn section to record a few tracks for Natalie Cole's upcoming album, Leavin'. Wes and Will Scruggs were in another recording session at the time of the phone call so naturally the trombone and saxophone elements were in place. Wes asked Will if he could recommend a trumpet player with chops and a good attitude and the first name to come out of his mouth was Ken Watters. Wes only knew Ken from his tremendous playing on the "Brothers" albums with trombonist Harry Watters and called without hesitation. Ken happily obliged to meet Wes and Will at DARP studios for the midnight recording session. After the infamous Natalie Cole session Natalie requested that The Funderhorns join her on stage at The Variety Playhouse in Atlanta and at the Apollo Theater in New York in 2006 and again in Atlanta at Chastain Park in 2007. The rest, as they say, is history.
What You Need to Know:
The chemistry between The Funderhorns is obvious from the first few notes. Wes, Will and Ken's collective sense of style, interpretation, phrasing and articulation feels natural and comfortable and their ability to play as a section, listen to one another, harmonize, improvise and finish each others' musical thoughts is a testament to their combined experience as trained musicians. The Funderhorns are available for master classes, recording sessions, music festivals and live performance.
The Funderhorns have recorded with:
Natalie Cole (produced by Dallas Austin)
Kelis (produced by Dallas Austin)
SoShy (produced by Novel)
Erica Ambrose
No River City
Andrew Black
Mimi Thomas (produced by Oliver Wood)
Andy
Ditzler
Meet The Funderhorns:
Wes
Funderburk - Wes is from Stone Mountain, Georgia where he began playing piano at age 8 and trombone at age 12.
He received his Bachelor's degree from The University of North Florida and his Master's degree from Georgia State
University, both in trombone performance with a concentration in jazz studies. He is the author of Funderbone.com and Blog Songs!, his popular and award-winning podcast featuring original compositions
for trombone choir and solo improvisations. Wes has toured with the Boston Brass All-Star Big Band, recorded for
artists on Verve Records, Universal Records, Capitol Records, Virgin Records, Giant Step Records and is one of the most sought-after
trombonists in the South. Wes is a jazz band director at Kennesaw State University, the low brass instructor at the Atlanta
International School and maintains an active private studio where he teaches trombone, jazz theory /improvisation and composition
and arranging. Wes's debut album "The Foglifter" is available at CdBaby.com as well as iTunes.
Wes Funderburk is a performing artist for Jupiter Musical Instruments
and plays Jupiter XO trombones exclusively.
Will Scruggs - Atlanta native Will Scruggs is an accomplished saxophonist/vocalist/band
leader who, at the age of 27, has already shared the stage with Dave Brubeck and toured and recorded with Natalie Cole.
His second CD, BlueBari Jam (Summit Records, 2007) has recently generated national buzz and critical acclaim.
Mike Joyce of the Washington Post writes: “Scruggs’ flair for evoking
classic jump-tune romps and horn-powered Crescent City funk couldn’t be more apparent.” His CD,
BlueBari Jam, is “a dynamic arrangement showcasing Scruggs’ surging tenor and the Jazz Fellowship’s
tight rhythm section. It’s an enjoyable trip that will appeal to fans of traditional jazz as well as devotees
of R&B, blues and reggae.” When he’s not on the road with his own band, Scruggs can be found performing
with vocalist Audrey Shakir, Atlanta super group Kingsized, the Funderhorns,
and CC Booker III, a Soul-Jazz outfit based in Brooklyn, NY.
Will Scruggs is a Conn-Selmer Artist and plays Conn-Selmer Saxophones exclusively. For more information please visit www.willscruggs.com
Ken Watters - Trumpeter Ken Watters has performed, toured and/or recorded with Frank
Sinatra, Natalie Cole, Marc Anthony, John Abercrombie, Clarence Carter, Terry Gibbs, Kelis, Ravi Coltrane, Wyclef Jean, Mingus
Big Band, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Buddy Miles, The Vanguard Orchestra (Village Vanguard, NYC), Bill Goodwin, Roger Hawkins, Bobby
"Blue" Bland, Russell Malone, Fred Wesley, Roland Vazquez, Mike Stern, Richie Cole, Dave Valentin, Anthony Jackson,
Dan Penn, Steel Pulse, David Liebman, Eartha Kitt, Bonnie Bramlett, Peter Bernstein, The Fifth Dimension, Herbie Mann, Petula
Clarke, Ralph Boncy, Gregory Hutchinson, Tabou Combo, Marvin 'Smitty' Smith, David Holland, Steve Coleman, The Manhattans,
The Platters, Chris Potter, Marilyn McCoo, Jeff Hirschfield, Phyllis Diller (yeah, you read that right -- Phyllis Diller),
Larry Goldings & many more icons of the music world. Ken is a Jupiter performing artist, a SESAC affiliated jazz
composer & a Summit recording artist with four CDs to date released internationally on the label (all of which spent time
in the top 50 on the US jazz charts. Watters attended the University of North Texas, Manhattan School of Music, The
Banff Centre for the Arts, Interolochen Arts Academy and has been an adjunct jazz faculty member at the University of Alabama
inHuntsville.
For more information about hiring The Funderhorns please click here:
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