The FUNDERHORNS were created by …….

Wes Funderburk – trombone
Wes Funderburk is one of the most sought-after trombonists, composers and arrangers in the southeast and is the author of Funderbone.com. He has performed, recorded and written music for Natalie Cole, Cee Lo, Dallas Austin, The Boston Brass, Ben van Dijk, Joe Gransden, the Georgia Brass Band and numerous other national and international artists. He is the cofounder of the Funderhorns, a commercial horn section that has recorded in the finest recording studios with artists such as Natalie Cole, Dallas Austin, Jermaine Dupri, Dondria, Cee Lo, SoShy, Kelis and many more. Currently Wes teaches at Kennesaw State University and the Atlanta International School.

Ken Watters – trumpet
Born & raised in Huntsville, Alabama, trumpeter Ken Watters is a Bach Performing Artist/Clinician, a Summit Records Recording Artist & a SESAC affiliated jazz composer. Ken left Huntsville at 17 years of age to attend Interlochen Arts Academy for his final year of high school, immediately after which he began attending the University of North Texas.
Ken regularly performs all over North, Central & South America, Italy, France, Holland, Spain, Morocco, Japan & all throughout the Caribbean. He has performed, toured with, or recorded with Frank Sinatra, Marc Anthony, Natalie Cole, Wyclef Jean, John Abercrombie, Terry Gibbs, Ravi Coltrane, TLC, Mingus Big Band, Kelis, Gregg Allman, Bonnie Bramlett, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Fred Wesley, Roland Vazquez, Richie Cole, Jack Daniel’s Silver Cornet Band, Dave Valentin, Mike Stern, Bill Goodwin, Anthony Jackson, Chris Potter, Little Milton, Dan Penn, Steve Coleman, Gene Perla, David Liebman, Harry Connick Jr., Eartha Kitt, Peter Bernstein, The Fifth Dimension, Philip Harper, Petula Clarke, Russell Malone, Herbie Mann, Frederick Fennell, Gregory Hutchinson, Tabou Combo, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, Steel Pulse, Walt Disney World, The Manhattans, The Platters, Marilyn McCoo, Phyllis Diller, Kassav’, David Holland, Larry Goldings & many other icons of the music world. Ken can also be heard throughout the soundtrack to David Byrne’s acclaimed film “True Stories.”
Ken co-leads a newly-formed Haitian / “Roots Music” flavored jazz ensemble called RIYEL (pronounced ree-YELL & meaning “alleyway” or “backstreet” in Haitian Creole) along with  trombonist/vocalist Andre Atkins & bassist Yves Abel (“The Fridge”). The band’s self-titled debut CD was released internationally on Summit Records in April.

CC Booker III featuring Will Scruggs is a SoulJazz tribute to the music of three great artists: Ray Charles, King Curtis, and Booker T and the MGs.  In this dynamic project, the big, swinging sound of the tenor saxophone meets the super funk of the Hammond B3 organ for an exciting, soulful jazz experience. CC Booker was founded as a collaboration between Atlanta native Will Scruggs and Brooklyn organist Nate Shaw.  After three highly successful East Coast tours in 2007 and 2008, Scruggs stepped out front as bandleader in order to spearhead a self-titled studio recording.  Drawing on Shaw’s connections in Brooklyn as well as his own Atlanta network, Scruggs crafted a sound which incorporates the best elements of down-home Southern flavor and sophisticated New York jazz stylings.  The Atlanta band features drummer Marlon Patton, guitarist Dan Baraszu, and organist David Ellington, a veteran of the New Orleans jazz community who relocated to Atlanta after Hurricane Katrina.  In New York, CC Booker’s rhythm section features Nate Shaw on Hammond B3 organ, Matt Kane on drums, and guitarist/arranger Tony Romano.  CC Booker III usually performs as a quartet, often mixing NYC and ATL musicians, but the project can also expand to include a full horn section with Wes Funderburk on trombone and Ken Watters on trumpet, or add guest vocalists like Nashville legend John Cowan or Atlanta’s Audrey Shakir.

Although CC Booker III is still a relatively new band, the critics have already taken notice.  According to Michael J. West of the Washington City Paper, “Every solo, every tune, and occasionally even a few lonely riffs generated screams and mighty ovations. Twins has a reputation for filling seats with the avant-garde, but even the edgiest listeners need some good old funky fun now and then. CC Booker only plays DC about once a year, but they never fail to generate that fun.”

Will Scruggs – Vocals and Saxophone
Founding member and current leader, Will Scruggs has a love for old soul music.

Atlanta Band Members:

Dan Baraszu - Guitar
Detroit born Guitarist/Composer Dan Baraszu started playing guitar at the age of 9. Early in his career, he explored many different styles of music. However, when he first heard the genius of Jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery, Dan devoted himself to becoming a die-hard Jazz artist. His major influences include guitarists Joe Pass, Pat Martino, Pat Metheny and John Scofield as well as other instrumentalists like Bill Evans, Horace Silver, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins and Charlie Parker.
In addition to listening and transcribing the works of the”masters of the Jazz idiom”, Dan has been formally educated in music as well. He received his Bachelors degree from the renowned Berklee College of Music, where he majored in Jazz Composition and Arranging. In addition, Dan also received his Masters degree from the University of Miami with a major in Jazz Pedagogy.
Dan currently resides in the Atlanta area where he leads his own groups and works as a freelance guitarist. In November 2005, he signed with Blue Canoe Records and released his debut CD as a leader entitled “Nightfall”. Featuring 9 explosive jazz originals, this recording will surely raise some eyebrows as this young gun’s guitar and compositional skills are those of an old master.
http://www.danbaraszu.com

David Ellington - Organ
After studying at the Berklee College of Music in Boston from 1980 – 1982, David Ellington moved to New Orleans in 1983 and quickly became a player in its extraordinary music scene. In 1988 he began a three-year stint as pianist/organist for legendary New Orleans guitarist, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, traveling the world and recording for Rounder Records. This led to another three years of study at the University of New Orleans under the tutelage of Ellis Marsalis, Steve Masakowski, Ed Petersen, and Harold Battiste, where his composition, “Armando” won the prestigious composer’s award in UNO’s “Svenson Composition Competition” in 1996.
David’s work as a versatile sideman, versed in Funk, Jazz, R&B, and Latin styles, led to the formation of his own group “Chevere” and the release of “Baila Mi Ritmo,” a CD of Ellington originals. Chevere made its New Orleans Jazz and Heritage debut in 2000 and has been a standout at the Festival ever since, returning each year to excellent revues.
Hurricane Katrina forced Ellington to abandon a busy musical career in New Orleans as bandleader, valued sideman, and church music director. David landed in Atlanta, near his parents and quickly became a first-call pianist/organist, in demand for many of Atlanta’s best groups and performers.

NYC Band Members:

Matt Kane - Drums
Born and raised in Hannibal, Missouri, seasoned in Kansas City and honed in New York, Matt Kane is a drummer who plays with purpose, urgency and musicality.  He has performed with Norah Jones, Sasha Dobson, Jovino Santos Neto, Charles Blenzig, Vic Juris, and is a member of Steve LaSpina’s New Quartet.  He is comfortable in Jazz, Brazilian, R&B, hip-hop, rock and wherever there is a groove.  Matt is also an educator, working with kids of all ages to help them along their journey in music.

Tony Romano - Guitar
Tony Romano has been active in the New York music scene for many years as a guitarist, music directior, and teacher. With a wide range of tastes and playing styles, Tony has performed around the world with diverse artists such as Cleve Douglass, Loe Bataan, Randy Brecker, Stanley Jordan, Debbie Gibson, Alex Gemignani, Chuck Cooper, Frank Wright, Dave Valentine, Yomo Toro, Thomas Chapin, Antonio Hart. He can also be heard on various television shows and commericals.
Tony is adjunct faculty at Five Towns College and Long Island University, as well as a Teaching Artist for the Kupferberg Center at Queens College. He has an MA in Jazz Performance from the Aaron Copeland School of Music at Queens College, CUNY.

The Will Scruggs Jazz Fellowship is a traditional, straight-ahead jazz combo that combines original compositions with fresh interpretations of classic jazz repertoire. The project was founded by Will Scruggs in 2003 and released its first CD, the self-titled Will Scruggs Jazz Fellowship, in 2005.  Following the success of the new recording, Scruggs and the Fellowship won Atlanta’s 2005 Future of Jazz Competition and were chosen to perform at the 2006 Atlanta Jazz Festival.  They quickly broke out of the Atlanta market, touring up and down the East Coast from Florida to Washington, DC.  In 2007 the Fellowship was signed to Summit Records and released their second CD, Bluebari Jam, bringing national recognition and radio play.

“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.”

-Mike Joyce, Washington Post, February 1, 2008

Marlon Patton - Drums
Marlon Patton was born in Atlanta, Georgia, raised on music.  He began playing his brother’s drum set at age 1. His love for drums continued to grow, picking up other instruments such as bass and guitar along the way.  After studying at the University of Georgia’s school of music, he received his bachelors degree in music performance.  Currently, Marlon’s weekly agenda is a continental divide of performances featuring modern and straight ahead jazz to rock, hip hop, latin, salsa, and afro-cuban influenced music.  Marlon is involved in many different projects that keep him performing and recording year round and all over the world.  He is the first call for so many musicians not just because of his impeccable time, but because of the incredible musicality of what he delivers.  He plays within a huge dynamic range, making him the perfect match for quiet piano jazz performances to hard-hitting hip-hop and rock gigs.  Marlon has performed with some of the finest musicians including recent concerts and/or recordings with Marcus Printup, Rufus Reid, Wycliffe Gordon, Mike Wofford, Ryan Waters of Sade, Keizo Nakanishi and TOKU.

Tommy Sauter – Bass

Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, bassist Tommy Sauter received a degree in Jazz Performance from the University of Tennessee in 2003. He currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia where he is in demand as a sideman. He has performed with noted jazz artists such as Donald Brown, Vincent Herring, Victor Goines, Wessell Anderson, Philip Harper, Marty Morrell, Marcus Printup, Bernard Wright, and Johnny O’Neal.