Funk Filharmonik’s 24th Anniversary Funksgiving at Club Funk in Huntington Friday November 27th
(Huntington, N.Y.) What do Billy Joel, John Mayer, Bruce Springsteen, Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, Gloria Estefan, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Jessica Simpson and The Blues Brothers have in common? The answer: members of Long Island’s own Funk Filharmonik have supported them all at some point over the past 25 years, either in the studio for top 10 hits or on stage at events ranging from outdoor festivals to world class concert halls – even to the White House Lawn!
On Friday November 27th at 8pm, join this venerable who’s who of internationally renowned funk players as they present their Funksgiving celebration for the 24th straight year, this time taking place at what is being billed as Club Funk; located at the Elks Club at 195 Main Street (RT 25A), Huntington Village NY 11743 1-888-902-3336. This show also marks a first for the band; the release of their debut CD “Everybody Get Down” which is available at cdbaby and itunes now.
“We have been blessed to enjoy the careers we have had as individuals, but I feel that with the release of our first album – which we produced and created ourselves – that this collection of players is primed to be recognized among the very best in the world at what we do as a band, too” remarked Ozzie Melendez, Musical Director, Trombone Player and Co-Leader.
There will be a raffle segment where contestants can win many great prizes including a 42″ Flat Screen TV. Proceeds from these drawings will benefit the International Myeloma Foundation; the raffle is hosted by Multiple Musicians Against Multiple Myeloma, of which Drummer and Co-Leader Lee Finkelstein is a member.
Tickets are $20 in advance and can be bought by logging on to funkfilharmonik.com or in person at Soundtraks, 356 NY Ave in Huntington 631-427-1313 or on the night of the show for $25 each (*subject to availability) 16 to enter and 21 to drink. For more information check out www.funkfilharmonik.com
ABOUT FUNK FILHARMONIK
Funk Filharmonik’s big, fat, fiery horn sound and chunky rhythmic vibe has become a magnet for musicians and music lovers of all stripes, from jazz hipsters to rockin’ bikers, from students to teachers, youngsters to oldsters, fans of jazz, funk, soul, R & B, listeners, dancers, to some of the most well know musicians in the NY Metropolitan area.
Collectively, they’ve recorded and continue to perform with the icons of popular music, including Ray Charles, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Celine Dion, Stevie Wonder, Tower of Power, Diana Ross, Janet Jackson, Blues Brothers, Aretha Franklin, John Mayer, Bootsy Collins, Steve Cropper, Shaggy, the Winans, Mariah Carey, The Allman Brothers, John Oates, Eddie Floyd, Huey Lewis, Michael Bolton, Queen Latifah, and so many more.
Some of Funk Fil’s members have also played and recorded and continue to play with jazz and Latin giants including Tito Puente, Willie Colon, Freddie Hubbard, Jonathan Butler, Marc Anthony, Lionel Hampton, Jennifer Lopez, the Brecker Brothers, and a list that goes on and on. Their talents have added to countless TV and Broadway shows, and commercial jingles. At any given moment, these guys might be off performing as a band, as a horn section, or individual players in the far corners of the world playing in such diverse settings as presidential inaugurations or spiritual drum and dance ceremonies of Ghana, West Africa. Funk Filharmonik also prides itself in the many benefits they and their loyal following of funksters have supported for humanitarian and environmental causes.
THE CAMARADERIE AND JOY THAT EXUDES FROM THE STAGE AT EVERY FUNK FILHARMONIK SHOW IS CONTAGIOUS!
One never knows who is in the audience and might come up to sit in with the band, particularly when they gig in Manhattan. The band does, after all, feature some of Long Island’s hottest and most in demand players including:
- TOM BOWES (LEAD VOCALS)
- BRENT CARTER (LEAD VOCALS)
- JOHN SCARPULLA (TENOR SAX)
- JACK KNIGHT (BASS)
- VINNY CINQUEMANI (TRUMPET & VOCALS)
- STEVE FINKELSTEIN (PERCUSSION)
- RON FOX (TRUMPET)
- GREG SCHLEICH (KEYBOARDS)
- DAVE LAVENDER (GUITAR)
- CHRIS KARLIC (BARITONE SAX)
- LEE FINKELSTEIN (DRUMS)
- OZZIE MELENDEZ (TROMBONE, VOCALS)
