Although Chip Ratliff has planted his feet solidly on funky ground, he is dedicated to not just rehashing classic funk jams, but to taking funk & soul to new heights. This talented bassist/writer/producer’s music has all of the great characteristics of old school funk, but it also absorbs the best of contemporary soul, rock, urban blues, jazz, and hip-hop to propel his music forward. . . producing music he calls “HipFunk”! This has led Chip into a new chapter in his music career with the formation of his original funk/soul/urban blues/rock project, Chip Ratliff & the HipFunk Theory! With this band, Chip takes his own originality and talent, infuses it with the sophisticated funk and showmanship of Prince, the tightness of any one of James Brown’s bands, the grit and excitement of Chicago Blues, the extended live jams of a Parliament-Funkadelic show, combines it into one big pot and serves it hot!
Born and raised in Chicago, IL , Chip wrote his first song (along with his uncle, bluesman Fernando Jones who is only 1 year his senior) at the ripe old age of 6! Chip had no choice but to absorb the rich music scene all around him. Having a musical family didn’t hurt either. Chip’s grandfather played guitar with B.B. King in the late ’40’s & early ’50’s; his father played everything from blues to funk all night, every night on the family hi-fi; Chicago Blues legend, Lefty Dizz, is his cousin; and his uncles were accomplished singers and musicians. When most kids would spend Sunday afternoons after church playing outside or watching T.V., Chip (with bass in tow) and his uncles would have weekly jam sessions at his grandmothers house. . . either learning the latest jam or revisiting a classic cut until they were forced to shut it down! So, to say music is in his blood, would be a bit of an understatement.
Chip cut his teeth at the feet of Chicago Blues masters. Sharing the stage with a list of who’s who, including Buddy Guy, Jr. Wells, Lefty Dizz, Ronnie Baker Brooks, members of The Lonnie Brooks Band, Fernando Jones, the legendary Willie Dixon, and countless others, Chip gained invaluable experience in musicianship, performance, and composition that has propelled him into the dynamic artist that he is today. He has excited audiences worldwide with his sincere, high energy live performances, and exceptional (often dazzling) bass playing. He has contributed soundtrack work for films, scored a local television commercial, been featured on radio (WGCI, WXRT, WVON), television (WGN, WBBM, WLS), has created a mulit-media educational program called Funkoustic (fun-koo’-stik), and is founder of the New Rhythms & Arts Festival – a festival designed to showcase fresh new talent from the Chicagoland area.
Members of Chip Ratliff & The HipFunk Theory are no less than some of the most talented musicians and vocalist available! They’ve played and sang with artist such as, R. Kelly, Janet Jackson, Black Eyed Peas, Chaka Khan, and many others.
Bottom line: this band is hot and tight! If you miss a performance, don’t say you didn’t know!
For booking and info, please contact (p)847.331.4573, or via e-mail chipratliff@comcast.net.
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