Studied performance and jazz composition at Berklee College of Music (Boston). In the United States, he has performed and recorded as a sideman with David Fiuczynski’s KiF (eastern-exotica-western-exstatica!) and a quartet lead by trumpeter Tiger Okoshi. Now based in Paris and London, he leads his own trio, Word Out, and co-leads a new Afro-jazz-funk project, AfuriKo, with percussionist Akiko Horii. Jim also collaborates with British reggae-electro musician Flox, and is active as a composer, arranger, and freelance educator.
A étudié le piano et la composition jazz au Berklee College of Music (Boston). Aux Etats-Unis, il a joué et enregistré en tant que sideman au sein du groupe KiF (exotisme oriental, extatique occidentale !) de David Fiuczynski ainsi que dans un quartet dirigé par le trompettiste Tiger Okoshi. Désormais basé à Paris et à Londres, il dirige son propre trio, Word Out, et co-dirige un nouveau projet Afro-jazz-funk, AfuriKo, avec la percussionniste Akiko Horii. Jim collabore également avec Flox, musicien reggae-électro britannique, et est actif en tant que compositeur, arrangeur, et professeur indépendant.
Performance Credits
People: Akiko Horii, Ant Law, Chico Freeman, Chris Hayward, Dave Douglas, David “Fuze” Fiuczynski, Djaima, Flox, Dominique Muzeau, Fraser Campbell, Hiroshi Fukutomi, Jean Baylor, Marcus Baylor, Marcus Miller, Meshell Ndegeocello, Michel Edelin, Oliver Degabriele, Ravy Magnifique, Russell Ferrante, Skoota Warner, Sofia Ribeiro, Steve Jenkins, Sylvain Beuf, Thibault Perriard, Tiger Okoshi, Bruno Wilhelm...
Places: Berklee Performance Center (Boston, USA), Café Universel (Paris, France), Canal 93 (Bobigny, France), Casa del Tango (Buenos Aires, Argentina), Charlie Wright's International (London, UK), Espace Culturel Jean-Jacques Robert (Mennecy, France), The Jazz Bar (Edinburgh, UK), Japonica (Kyoto, Japan), JazzQ Festival (Saint Petersburg, Russia), JzBrat (Tokyo, Japan), Le 9 Jazz-Club (Paris, France), Malta Jazz Festival (Valletta, Malta), Olympic Café (Paris, France), Petit Journal Montparnasse (Paris, France), Stage (Itami, Japan), Street Life (Saint Petersburg, Russia), Sunset Sunside Jazz Club (Paris, France), Yorozuya-Soubei (Kobe, Japan), Zinco Jazz Club (Distrito Federal, México)...
Radio: Les Nuits Zébrées (Radio NOVA, France), Nitiyougogo no Asobijikan (Kyoto Sanjyo Radio Cafe, Japan), Sonido Estrella (Zacatecas, Mexico)...
Press Quotes:
”La subtilité mélodique du pianiste Jim Funnell [...] laisse présager d'un avenir
des plus lumineux.” Version en ligne de Jazz Magazine
”Jim Funnell’s electric keyboard solo builds masterfully from a motive first
introduced by Fuze into a kaleidoscope of shifting block chordal progressions.”
Thomas R. Erdmann, jazzreview.com
”Jim Funnell executed a hugely energized solo on organ during “The Heathen”
causing wild shouts of approval from the crowd.” Lucie Wicker,
BostonLive.net Concert Review
Awards:
1er prix de composition avec Word Out aux Trophées du Sunside (2011) / 1st composition prize for Word Out at the "Trophées du Sunside" (2011)
Professional Writing Division Wayne Shorter Award (March 2007); Professional
Writing Division Arif Mardin
Award (April 2006); Piano Department Achievement Award (March 2006); Piano
Department Chair Award
(March 2005) (Berklee College of Music, Boston, USA)
Equipment:
Roland RD-300sx keyboard (88 keys)
Nord Electro 3 keyboard (73 keys)
RTX keyboard stand with extension
