Philly's Phunkestra

Bio:

From the rich jazz and jam band corners of Chicago to New Orleans’ heavy Southern funk tradition comes Philly’s Phunkestra Soul Orchestra, an eight-piece rhythm and horn jazz orchestra. Experimenting with a sound both boldly imaginative and well seasoned, the Phunkestra’s members are unafraid to congeal classically trained chords to modern pop influence, resulting in songs that are warmly toned and tinged with the George Clinton school of atypical.

Based in Portland, Oregon, Phunkestra’s members have traveled globally, sharing stages with the Wu-Tang Clan, Ziggy Marley, Michael Franti & Spearhead, K’naan, Israel Vibration and Dirty Dozen Brass Band. These collaborative bills have helped shape the band’s sound, allowing them a wealth of live arena experience.

Justin Partney, Marc Hutchinson, Elysia Strauss, Ryan Cheng and Grant Thomas carry the horn section like an excitable conversation between friends with applicable timing, flow and mini muscular solo spotlights. Brett McConnell, Greg Porter, Eric Gold and Chris Phillips steer percussion, bulking up songs like, “Aphex” and “Sidewalks of San Francisco” with detailed piano riffs and snare hits, still leaving room for spacey keyboard pings and wooden shaker droplets.

You can see Philly’s Phunkestra every 1st & 3rd Thursday’s at ‘The Phunktion’ at the Crown Room beginning in January 2010 and Jan. 22nd at Berbati’s Pan with Rebirth Brass Band & Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk.

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Members:

Grant Thomas - Trombone

Justin Partney - Trumpet

Marc Hutchinson - Tenor Sax

Ryan Cheng - Alto Sax and Flute

Elysia Strauss - Baritone Sax

Chris Phillips - Keyboards

Eric Gold - Drums

Greg Porter - Percussion, Vocals

Brett McConnell - Bass

Aniana Hough - Vocals

Influences: