Singer Ronnie Leigh has been called “one of the finest song stylists working in jazz today”, by Syracuse Jazzfest founder and director, Frank Malfitano. The versatile, 4-time Syracuse Area Music Award-winner has fans from Seattle, Washington to the famed Q-Bar in Istanbul, Turkey. Ronnie’s recorded with Cabo Frio on Zebra/MCA Records, and with Larry Arlotta on Spirit Jazz. He’s shared the stage with Pat Metheny, the Yellowjackets, David Benoit, Special EFX, Spyro Gyra, David Sanborn, Tom Scott, Etta Jones, Jon Hendricks, and Chuck Mangione, as well as the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra. Ronnie Leigh has also toured with The Drifters, and is currently the director of Syracuse University’s vocal jazz ensemble, “Windjammer”.
James Richmond-
Tenor sax & vocals
As a child, Jim Richmond entertained the neighborhood kids by imitating Elvis on his front porch. After listening to his father’s gospel group rehearse weekly in their living room, he was inspired to take up the saxophone. He led his own band (“The Echomen”) while still in high school, then went on to major in music at SUNY Fredonia. Sugar Hill signed his band, “Mother Freedom”, in the late 70’s and released one album. Jim’s serious vocal, songwriting and arranging talents, like his sax playing, have kept him in demand over the years. He’s written songs with people like Kim Stone from the Rippingtons, performed on national commercials such as Buick, and shared the stage with acts including George Benson and Tower of Power. Jim also wrote many of the songs, as well as horn and vocal arrangements, for PTF’s debut CD, “Ready and Willing”.
David Cohen-
Drums & percussion
David Cohen began taking drum lessons at age 10. Inspired by drumming legends Buddy Rich and “Philly” Joe Jones, he went on to study with famed jazz drummers Vinnie Ruggiero and Ed Soph. In the 80’s, Dave led a rock band called “Backseat Sally”, which released an album on Atlantic Records and an MTV video. Other studio credits include albums by The Dinner Dogs, Glenn Medeiros, Anthony Watson, and The Rockin’ Rebels, as well as soundtracks for HBO, CBS, and TVKO. Dave’s also performed with the Mambo Kings, Gap Mangione, Bat McGrath, Barry Kiener, “Sax” Gordon Beadle, Rodney Dangerfield, Russell Malone, Mark Manetta, Tino Gonzales, Nancy Kelly, Francine Reed and Sherman Robertson (at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Club in Paris, France), as well as the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.
Rafael Ortiz-
Bass
Ralph Ortiz is “the king of groove”, according to Grammy Award-winning producer, Jeff Tyzik. He’s also extremely versatile, having performed with everyone from Texas blues guitarist Sherman Robertson, to Peter Noone of the Herman’s Hermits, to the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. He appeared on the Arsenio Hall Show with fusion band Cabo Frio, and has recorded with artists like Ralph Humphrey and Steve Gadd. He can be heard on soundtracks for HBO Sports, as well as Donny Gerrard’s latest album, “The Romantic”. Ralph’s played everywhere from the Bravo! Music Festival in Vail, Colorado to the Lionel Hampton Jazz Club in Paris, France--but he’s undoubtedly most at home playing “thump to the bone” funk with PTF.
Dave Wright-
Guitar
In the course of his career, guitarist and composer Dave Wright has played gigs at venues from the US West Coast to Western Europe. He has played many styles of music in many settings, from solo guitar to full orchestra. Some musical accomplishments include: Over 300 shows at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City as guitarist with the Radio City Music Hall Orchestra, both in seasonal shows and with artists like Peter Allen and Raphael. Over 40 shows with the Fifth Dimension, 16 shows with Jack Jones, 16 shows with the Smothers Brothers, as well as shows with stars including Diahann Carroll, Vic Damone, Rita Moreno, Charo, Frank Sinatra Jr, Debbie Reynolds, Shields & Yarnell, Petula Clark and many others, while staff guitarist on the largest cruise ship in the world.
Vince Ercolamento switched from harmonica to saxophone just in time to major in Music Performance at Nazareth College. He started touring with bands immediately upon graduation, eventually working with Jimmy McGriff, Cornell DuPree, and Bo Diddley, among others. He’s appeared at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Club in Paris, France with Lyle Lovett’s vocalist, Francine Reed, and Texas blues guitarist, Sherman Robertson. He also received a National Endowment for the Arts award, which enabled him to study with renowned jazz saxophonist, George Coleman. Vince has played on national commercials, soundtracks, and album projects like Doug Flutie’s “The Flutie Gang”. He also leads his own jazz quartet, and wrote many of the horn arrangements for PTF’s debut CD.
Ron D’Angelo-
Trumpet & Flugelhorn
Ron D’Angelo was born in Philadelphia, raised in Pottsville, PA, and has been living in Rochester since 1988. He has recorded numerous radio/TV jingles and has played lead trumpet for Aretha Franklin, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Gap and Chuck Mangione, The O’Jays, Bobby Vinton, Connie Francis, Martha & the Vandellas, Danny and the Juniors, Joan Rivers, The Eastman Jazz Ensemble, and Royal Cruise Lines. He has also performed with Natalie Cole, The Woody Herman Orchestra, Paula Cole, and played the jazz trumpet chair on the PBS special, An Evening with Michael Civisca.
Ron holds degrees from the University of Rochester and Syracuse University, and attended Berklee College of Music.
Derrick Lipp-
Trumpet & Flugelhorn
Derrick Lipp has been a member of Prime Time Funk since shortly after the release of “Ready and Willing” in 2000. Derrick has also performed with Nick Brignola, Joan Osborne, George Caldwell, The O’Jays, The Temptations, and The Four Tops. He has shared the stage with Mark Anthony, Tito Puente, The Airmen Of Note, Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd, Jiggs Wigham, and Bruce Hornsby. His playing can be heard on radio and TV spots for Chevrolet and The United Way. Derrick’s musical influences include Tower of Power, Allan Holdsworth, Take 6, Jaco Pastorius, and the Brecker Brothers.
Andy Calabrese-
Keyboards
Besides playing with PTF, Andy Calabrese leads his own jazz trio in Rochester, NY. As president of his own music production company, he composes and produces jingles and film soundtracks. He’s in demand as a sideman as well, having performed with well-known jazz and pop artists such as Chuck Berry, Paul Anka, Chuck Mangione, Pepper Adams, Joe Romano, Sal Nistico, Sheila Jordan, Chet Catallo, Nancy Kelly, Jeff Tyzik, Doc Severinsen, and Kenny Rankin. He also played the Broadway tour of “Phantom of the Opera”. He studied piano at Shenandoah Conservatory and the Eastman School of Music. When he’s not gigging, composing or producing, Andy’s usually teaching jazz and classical piano.
Matt Stuver-
Baritone Saxophone
Matt Stuver grew up playing the saxophone in Virginia Beach, and went on to earn his Music Ed degree at James Madison University. A scholarship brought him to the Eastman School of Music, where he earned not one but two masters’ degrees – one in Classical Saxophone and Literature, and the other in Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media. He leads his own jazz quartet and plays with the Dave Rivello Jazz Ensemble, but has also performed with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Temptations, Clark Terry, Dick Oatts, Dave Liebman, New York Voices, Lou Rawls and Gap Mangione.
Philly Joe Jones, Buddy Rich, Mel Lewis, Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, Jack DeJohnette, Steve Gadd, Jeff Porcaro, Steve Smith, Vinnie Colauita, Steve Jordan, & David Garibaldi.
Sounds Like
“Put some of the best rhythm players in Rochester together with the best horns, add vocalist Ronnie Leigh and the production of Jeff Tyzik, and you have Rochester’s answer to Tower of Power: Prime Time Funk.”
–City Newspaper
It was 1996 when veteran Rochester musicians James Richmond (sax, keyboard and vocals) and Ralph Ortiz (bass) started assembling their dream band. A funk band, of course, and – for once – there would be no compromises on musicianship or material. This would be Prime Time Funk.
One by one, they handpicked the rhythm section, starting with drummer Dave Cohen.
When they began recruiting the PTF horns, saxophonist Vince Ercolamento was their
first call. It wasn’t long before the dream became a reality –
but would it be too good to last?
Ten years later, PTF is still a dream come true – for those original four members as much as for the six “new” guys: Andy Calabrese ..boards, Dave Wright on guitar, Ron D’Angelo and Derrick Lipp on trumpets, Matt Stuver on baritone sax, and the incomparable Ronnie Leigh on vocals. As for audiences, they eat up the chemistry on stage, dance like there’s no one watching, and appreciate that they’re hearing extraordinary musicians.
A debut CD in 2001, Ready and Willing, co-produced by Grammy® Award-winning producer Jeff Tyzik – who also happens to be Principal Pops Conductor for the
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra – put the band on a much larger map. PTF
landed gigs at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Club in Paris, and four years of prime
spots at the prestigious Rochester International Jazz Festival.
PTF has shared the stage with some of the world’s most respected funk, R&B, blues and jazz acts: Earth, Wind & Fire; Medeski, Martin & Wood; The Brothers Johnson; Tom Scott; Terrence Blanchard; The Temptations; Average White Band; Stanley Clarke; Lenny White; Larry Carlton; John Scofield; Sherman Roberston; and Francine Reed.
Between clubs, colleges, and corporate dates, and from festivals and fundraisers to private celebrations, this premier ten-piece powerhouse is in more demand than ever.
PTF is currently in the studio recording its second CD for release later this year, and will continue to live its dream while
living up to its name…
Thanks for organizing such a great show and tribute to Ralph at Water St last Sunday. All the bands gave it everything they had and put allot of smiles on the faces in the crowd.
