Jazz The Ripper – Funky & Fresh

LISTEN TO A SONG SAMPLE OF “FUNKY & FRESH” FROM THE FUNKY & FRESH ALBUM!!

I lived in North Carolina for the last 23 years and the music circles in Charlotte are so-so. There are a lot of good musicians there, and they are successful in the local area. So not since Maria Howell, Anthony Hamilton and Jodeci has anyone come out of Charlotte. Now, let’s go down I-85 to I-26 (Fwy) and head west and that will take you to Asheville, North Carolina where 5 young men are beginning to make their mark on the jazz scene, and in a serious way. Jazz the Ripper started out as a jam band, with members coming and going (as all bands do), they finally settled down to their current line up. Let me give you a little insight on how talented they are…

Jordan Arnold = (age)17-Senior, Drums and Percussion, 3-time N.C All State Percussionist, Julliard School Percussion Seminar, 2007.

Joseph Hamilton= 17-Senior, Tenor and baritone sax, All District saxophonist, YMI Youth Jazz Band.
 
Julian Samahl = 17-Senior, Alto and Soprano Sax, All state Saxophonist, N.C. School of the Arts, YMI Youth Jazz Band.
 
Will Newman = 13- Home schooled, Keyboards, violin and guitar, Stanford University Jazz camp, named “The Most Outstanding Musician”, YMI Youth Jazz Band.

James Hamilton = 16-Sophomore, YMI Youth Jazz Band.

With influences from great jazz artists and funks bands like Earth, Wind and Fire, Galactic, Herbie Hancock, and James Brown and many more, these 5 young men are ready, if not already, to make their mark on the jazz scene.

With songs like “Eat the Water”, “Funky and Fresh (from Bangladesh)”, “Java Chiller”, “Lampshade at 4:31”, “No Pickle”, “Paco’s Taco”, “Dys-FUNK-tional”, “Paddle Pouch”, & “Nine” – you can’t help but go back and hit the replay button.

For a group of young men still in high school, the rawness and freshness they bring to their own compositions is to be commended. But the song you need to hear is not on this CD. Their cover of A.W.B’s “Pick Up The Pieces” is just pure funk, enough to make Steve Ferrone smile with envy.

Now, mind you, three of the members will be graduating next year and the future of JTR kind of hangs in the balance. But whatever they do, the musical possibilities are endless for them. Somehow all this talent must reach the masses.

So for a Funky and Fresh exciting time pick up the CD at www.cdbaby.com and to hear “Pick up the Pieces”, go to www.sonicbid.com/jazztheripper.

Marv D.
The Urban Music Scene