Results for "Jazz Funk Soul"

YenTing Lo

Born: May 17

YenTing Lo is a jazz singer-songwriter, pianist, flutist, and producer from Kaohsiung. A graduate of the Conservatory of Amsterdam specializing in jazz, YenTing's imaginative composition and poetic lyrics earned her Golden Indie Music “Best Jazz Album Award” for her albums Epiphyllum (2019) and The 13th Heron (2020), also listed as New & Notable on Bandcamp’s frontpage, as well as “Best Lyrics” in Golden Melody Awards for Traditional Arts and Music for her live EP Land forms (2024). YenTing has performed widely in genres including jazz, pop, folk and classical on stages across Taiwan, as well as internationally in Japan, Australia and all over Europe. 

Bradley Leighton

Born: April 29, 1961

Bradley Leighton brings a distinctive voice to contemporary jazz flute, combining the energy of big-band swing with the deep grooves of funk, soul, and R&B. His musical style was shaped by the high-powered bands of Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, and Maynard Ferguson, along with the infectious rhythms of Tower of Power, Earth, Wind & Fire, and the Brecker Brothers. The result is a bold, expressive sound filled with fire, finesse, and a rhythmic intensity not often associated with the flute.

A longtime Yamaha Performing Artist, Bradley has performed throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe as both a bandleader and sideman. His career has included festival appearances, performances alongside acclaimed jazz artists, and decades of work as a recording artist, educator, and clinician.

The Seven Ups

Australian instrumental combo The Seven Ups exist between groove and atmosphere. Expansive guitar and warm synth layers stretch outward, grounded by bass and percussion, with horns shifting between restraint and impact.

Led by multi-instrumentalist Trent Sterling, the group has carved out its own space across five studio albums, developing a sound that balances locked-in rhythm with immersive texture and long-form explorations. Their latest release, Fight Night (2024), leans further into analogue synth territory, layering lush pads and rolling arpeggiators over the band’s signature brass and driving rhythm section.

Dave Kurtiak

Born in Bayonne, NJ to a musical family, it was no surprise when Dave picked up the bass at age 13. Playing in various heavy metal and hard rock bands before being introduced to jazz, Dave developed a percussive right hand playing technique that has more to do with his playing than any bass, effect or amp he uses.

After a long hiatus playing music while working for several record labels, Dave decided to pick up the bass again. Now living in Seattle, Dave’s focus shifted to improvised music, primarily the underground jazz and funk scene in Seattle. Funky, groovy and a voice all his own, Dave’s playing can be heard with and leading How Now Brown Cow.

Jason Kruk

Born: January 19

Jason Kruk is a New York City-based drummer, composer, and educator with over 30 years of experience. Known for his versatility and technical depth, Jason’s career spans a vast musical landscape—from the precision of jazz, fusion, and big band to the groove of funk, Afro-Cuban salsa, and rock.

His academic foundation includes a B.A. in Psychology from Lawrence University and an M.M. in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas. Throughout his development, he has studied under legendary masters such as Ed Soph, David Garibaldi, and Ignacio Berroa.

Jason’s international footprint includes tours across Europe and North America, with performances in France, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and the Caribbean. In New York, he has performed at iconic venues like The 55 Bar, Nublu, The Living Room, The Brooklyn Bowl, and The Bitter End. His collaborative resume is a “who’s who” of modern music, having worked with Grammy-winning members of Snarky Puppy (Mike League, Bob Lanzetti, Mike Maher, Jay Jennings),  Tom Luer (Gordon Goodwin Band), Sean Nowell, Art Hirahara, Isamu McGregor, Dan Arcamone, Mike Nunno, FRO, Linda Oh, Pascal Le Boeuf, Remy Le Boeuf, Josephine Ancelle, the Bryan Hilton Quintet, Mojo Perry, Todd Parsnow, Shelley Carrol, Jeff Eckels, Ken Peplowski, Kim Richmond, Fima Ephron, Kelly Sill, Randy Sabien, Galen Abdul-Zarrahk, Chris Hoffman, Matt Turner, Marlin McKay, Mark Urness, Tom Washatka, Emilie Cardinaux, A.J. Mallory (Rebirth Brass Band), Dave Sullivan, Jon Harmon, Michael Spiro, Gene Bertoncini and many other gifted artists.  

Disaster Relief

Active since: 2018

Disaster Relief is a joyful jazz-funk ensemble designed to remedy the negative vibes in the world today. Led by Ann Arbor, Michigan based guitarist/composer/producer Darrin James, the ensemble boasts a big horn section and showcases many rising stars of the Michigan and Detroit music scenes.  They have a reputation for exciting live performances that balance tightly composed arrangements with open, free improvisation, always with a deep danceable groove and loads of soul. 

Annaliesa Rose

Born: December 21, 1982

Annaliesa Rose – Singer, Musician, Composer

Annaliesa Rose (BMus (jazz) (ANU), GradDipEd (UNE), MAM (MBA equiv)(Australian Institute of Music)) is a versatile musician (vocalist) and composer who has been involved in music and the performing arts her whole life from music, drama, dance and visual arts. 

Since 1999, Annaliesa has been performing around Australia especially in Canberra and where she is from in Wollongong and more recently performing internationally in Czech Republic and the UK. 

Notable performances overseas include 2025 gig at Jazz Dock with Emil Viklický, Andy Schofield, Tomáš Hobzek, Josef Fečo, Edinburgh Jazz ‘n’ Jive gigs in 2025 and back in 2024, completing a full run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2024 where she worked at various gigs with Daryl Wallis, David Patrick, Daniel Bulatkin and Emil Viklický, working with Emil Viklický at Františkovy Lázně and with Emil Viklický, Petr Dvorský, Tomáš Hobzek at a venue in Brno and on my latest album and singles along with Andy Schofield (to be released later this year).

Sarah L King

Sarah L King started singing in soul & gospel choirs before emerging as a solo artist. Growing up under the influence of her father Mike King, jazz trumpeter and bandleader, King has developed a fine ear for harmonies and improvisation. After a richly creative career in filmmaking and screenwriting, King has turned fully to music, catapuling onto the UK jazz scene with her assured, pure-toned vocals and sophisticated songwriting. Her richly metaphoric lyrics are a direct result of her storytelling past - and her ability to communicate emotional depth through her vocals have brought her much recent acclaim.

Charles Craig

Born: November 12

Charles "JP" Craig, a seasoned jazz pianist, grew up in Chicago. Charles served with his father Rev. Dr. Lawrence L. Craig, Sr. at Carter Temple C.M.E Church in Chicago, IL. Charles was mentored by the legendary Grammy Winning Ramsey Lewis, an innovative artist who taught him the importance of playing with dynamic versatility. Charles honed in on his skills early performing alongside Ramsey Lewis's sons, Bobby Lewis and Frayne Lewis, known in the midwest as the Brothers Lewis Trio, gaining invaluable experience on the Chicago Jazz scene. The Late Great Mulgrew Miller also mentored Charles in hard bop during his stint at The Jazz Showcase formerly at the Blackstone Hotel in Chicago, shaping Charles's musical foundation. This foundation led to Charles branching out into the Smooth Jazz sector where he helped forge the sound and soul of Chicago Saxophonist Art Porter solidifying Art's recording contract with Verve Forecast/PolyGram Records.

The Inter Section

Active since: 2024

The Inter Section is a collective of musicians from around the world recording contemporary jazz that is melodic and easily approachable. The songs meld the sounds and rhythms of Pop, R&B, Soul, Latin and World music and presents them in a jazz context.

The Inter Section's music is written and produced by Steve Ehrlich from his (necessary) sofa as he suffers from Chronic Lyme Disease. He offers an example for others with similar limitations of what is possible even when their everyday lives have been turned upside down.

Proceeds from the sale of The Inter Section's music are donated to lymedisease.org and Bay Area Lyme Foundation.