Saturday, January 26, 2013
Press Release
01-26-13
Saxman Wayne Sulc is nominated for URBAN CONTEMPORARY INSTRUMENTALIST by the Washington Area Music Association, “WAMA”. The 27th Annual Wammies are to be presented on Sunday February 17th at the State Theater in Falls Church Virgina at 8:00 PM.
WAMA is an umbrella organization of Washington area musicians, concert promoters, lawyers, recording engineers, managers, graphic artists, and related businesses working together to address areas of common concern. http://www.wamadc.com/wama/
Wayne is a well known Washington D.C. Woodwind artist has played with many of Washington’s hottest bands and now leads his own “Urban Funk” . Featured in bands like Tommy Lepsons Soul Crackers and Junior Cline and The Recliners, he has also been seen with the likes of The Nighthawks, Naked Blue and Harry Traynham. Wayne has been called upon to record tracks with many local DMV musicians and has also been featured in several Band House Gigs Productions.
Wayne has performed for many local fans as well as visiting dignitaries and sitting presidents including Bill Clinton.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Urban-Funk/260395920995
Friday, March 9, 2012
Get on The Funk Bus with Urban Funk at Clydes of Chevy Chase
Get on the Funkiest Bus in America and jam to some crazy tunes on the dance floor. Our Soul Train Review party was such a success, we are taking it to the streets on the Funk Bus!
Featuring...
Wayne Sulc
Tommy Lepson
Steve Long
Mike Davis
Gary Crockett
Tim Cutrona
From the stages of Soul Train, and The Apollo Theater hear Urban Funk play the hits of James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Isley Brothers, The Commodores, WAR , Bill Withers, The Spinners and more
Saturday April 14th, 2012
9:30 PM - 1:30 AM
5441 Wisconsin Avenue
Chevy Chase Md 20815
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Urban Funk at Clydes of Chevy Chase 12/30/2011
Press Release
For Immediate Release
12-09-2011
Urban Funk to perform 12-30-2011 at Clydes of Chevy Chase
Urban Funk to perform on December 30th 2011 at Clydes of Chevy Chase. Featuring the scintillating saxophone of Wayne Sulc and the heart felt vocals of Tommy Lepson, Urban Funk brings the classic hits of the 70’s to the stage. Featuring the rhythm masters that drove a decade and beyond including James Brown, WAR, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and more. Backed up by a strong sectional led by Steve Long on Keys, Tim Cutrona on Conga’s, Mike Davis on Bass, and Gary Crockett on Drums.
Mark D'Amico a Washington Music insider is quoted as saying “You Gotta Check Out This Band! Love them!!!”
One look around the room and you will see an audience engaged and bobbing their heads if they are not already on the dance floor.
Clyde’s offer’s “no cover”, validated parking, and the best in food and libations. Clyde’s Race Bar is a unique setting of vintage automobiles, motorcycles and historical prints echoing the glory days of motoring.
Located at 5441 Wisconsin Avenue , Chevy Chase Maryland, the show begins at 9:30PM and continues until 1:30 AM.
www.saxmanpro.com
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Urban-Funk/260395920995
Monday, January 24, 2011
Urban Funk cd Heroes And Legends nominated for Jazz/Recording of the year from WAMA/ Washington Area Music Association
Urban Funk Heroes And Legends nominated for Jazz/Recording cd of the year WAMMY award.
The 25th Wammies February 20th at the historic State Theater in Falls Church Virginia.
Posted: 2011-01-18 Discuss Print Email
Urban Funk's CD Heroes and Legends has been nominated for Jazz/Recording of the year from WAMA, (Washington Area Musican's Association) .
The 25th Wammies are scheduled for February 20th at the historic State Theater in Falls Church Virginia.
SaxMan Productions presents Urban Funk and their debut CD, Heroes and Legends.
Produced by woodwind artist Wayne Sulc and percussionist Tim Cutrona. Both Sulc and Cutrona are veterans of the Washington DC music scene.
Heroes and Legends, a thirteen track CD is loaded with memorable melodies performed by Washington Area Music Association Heroes. The CD includes Urban Funk's original material and compositions by Carlos Santana, Chic Corea, Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, Marvin Gaye, Christopher Cross, Bobby Caldwell, Luiz Bonfa, and Bob Marley.
Performers include: Paul Bell, Tommy Lepson, Jennifer Smith, Chuck Underwood, John Thomakos, John Cocuzzi, Didier Prossaird, Ronnie Newmeyer, Steve Wolf, Mike Davis, Ronald Mendoza, Tim Cutrona, Tammy Sullivan, Steve Long, Jeff Bonk, Kyle Minor, Don Junker, Gil Hoffer, Wayne Sulc, and Juan Cayrampoma, These Heroes all took time from their busy schedule to contribute their musical expertise at the highest level.
Selections were chosen for their significant influence on modern jazz and our musical development. The better part of the last five years was devoted to see this project through.
Heroes and Legends was recorded at Studio 8121 with the support of engineer Mike Watert.
The 25th Wammies February 20th at the historic State Theater in Falls Church Virginia.
Posted: 2011-01-18 Discuss Print Email
Urban Funk's CD Heroes and Legends has been nominated for Jazz/Recording of the year from WAMA, (Washington Area Musican's Association) .
The 25th Wammies are scheduled for February 20th at the historic State Theater in Falls Church Virginia.
SaxMan Productions presents Urban Funk and their debut CD, Heroes and Legends.
Produced by woodwind artist Wayne Sulc and percussionist Tim Cutrona. Both Sulc and Cutrona are veterans of the Washington DC music scene.
Heroes and Legends, a thirteen track CD is loaded with memorable melodies performed by Washington Area Music Association Heroes. The CD includes Urban Funk's original material and compositions by Carlos Santana, Chic Corea, Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, Marvin Gaye, Christopher Cross, Bobby Caldwell, Luiz Bonfa, and Bob Marley.
Performers include: Paul Bell, Tommy Lepson, Jennifer Smith, Chuck Underwood, John Thomakos, John Cocuzzi, Didier Prossaird, Ronnie Newmeyer, Steve Wolf, Mike Davis, Ronald Mendoza, Tim Cutrona, Tammy Sullivan, Steve Long, Jeff Bonk, Kyle Minor, Don Junker, Gil Hoffer, Wayne Sulc, and Juan Cayrampoma, These Heroes all took time from their busy schedule to contribute their musical expertise at the highest level.
Selections were chosen for their significant influence on modern jazz and our musical development. The better part of the last five years was devoted to see this project through.
Heroes and Legends was recorded at Studio 8121 with the support of engineer Mike Watert.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Tommy Lepson Band at Blues Alley Wednesday December 1st 2010
I went to see the Tommy Lepson Band performance at Blues Alley last Wednesday evening.
Had a great time on a cold night, the band was cooking and the audience was receptive.
Ive been a fan since the old Columbia Station days and have always enjoyed Tommy’s singing, its now gotten to the level where the shows are just stunning. To para phrase Bill Bucks from Soul and Jazz and Funk.com “In vocalist Tommy Lepson, they've found a real talent... no histrionics – just honest soul singing”. The Tommy Lepson band consisted of Gary Crocket, Mike Davis, Josh Howe, John Bell, and Wayne Sulc. Highly recommend. When Tommy sings Dr John, Neville Brothers, or Joe Cocker he channels the true spirit of the material without covering it, and it stops you in your tracks./
http://www.soulandjazzandfunk.com/reviews/1122-urban-funk-heroes-and-legends-saxman.html
Had a great time on a cold night, the band was cooking and the audience was receptive.
Ive been a fan since the old Columbia Station days and have always enjoyed Tommy’s singing, its now gotten to the level where the shows are just stunning. To para phrase Bill Bucks from Soul and Jazz and Funk.com “In vocalist Tommy Lepson, they've found a real talent... no histrionics – just honest soul singing”. The Tommy Lepson band consisted of Gary Crocket, Mike Davis, Josh Howe, John Bell, and Wayne Sulc. Highly recommend. When Tommy sings Dr John, Neville Brothers, or Joe Cocker he channels the true spirit of the material without covering it, and it stops you in your tracks./
http://www.soulandjazzandfunk.com/reviews/1122-urban-funk-heroes-and-legends-saxman.html
Thursday, November 18, 2010
SoulAndJazzAndFunk.com reviews Urban Funk Heroes And Legends
Thursday, 18 November 2010 19:47 Bill Buckley
Urban Funk are a US band whose music isn't quite the funk that their name implies. Rather, the sound of Urban Funk is the sound of smooth jazz. On this 13 tracker you could make comparisons with outfits like Spyro Gyra and the Rippingtons, though in fairness these Urban Funksters offer, in places anyway, a little more bite and attack. Throughout it's all pleasing, pleasant and polished and like most classic smooth jazz sets the repertoire is a mix of originals and covers with a smattering of vocals thrown in for variety.
Indeed two vocal covers are the album's highlights – probably because of their familiarity and accessibility; they are Marvin Gaye's 'Mercy, Mercy Me' and Bobby Caldwell's 'What You Won't Do For Love' – two great songs to begin with and Urban Funk don't stray too far from the originals. In vocalist Tommy Lepson, though, they've found a real talent... no histrionics – just honest soul singing. The other covers are takes on Bob Marley's 'Is This Love', Christopher Cross's 'Sailing' (both very light), Steely Dan's 'Josie' (some great, driving sax from Wayne Sulic), Chick Corea's 'Spain', Santana's 'Samba Pa Ti', the film theme 'Black Orpheus' (all chosen to show the band can "do" Latin properly) and Stevie Wonder's 'Ribbon In The Sky' ( great keys from Steve Long here).
(BB) 3/5
Urban Funk are a US band whose music isn't quite the funk that their name implies. Rather, the sound of Urban Funk is the sound of smooth jazz. On this 13 tracker you could make comparisons with outfits like Spyro Gyra and the Rippingtons, though in fairness these Urban Funksters offer, in places anyway, a little more bite and attack. Throughout it's all pleasing, pleasant and polished and like most classic smooth jazz sets the repertoire is a mix of originals and covers with a smattering of vocals thrown in for variety.
Indeed two vocal covers are the album's highlights – probably because of their familiarity and accessibility; they are Marvin Gaye's 'Mercy, Mercy Me' and Bobby Caldwell's 'What You Won't Do For Love' – two great songs to begin with and Urban Funk don't stray too far from the originals. In vocalist Tommy Lepson, though, they've found a real talent... no histrionics – just honest soul singing. The other covers are takes on Bob Marley's 'Is This Love', Christopher Cross's 'Sailing' (both very light), Steely Dan's 'Josie' (some great, driving sax from Wayne Sulic), Chick Corea's 'Spain', Santana's 'Samba Pa Ti', the film theme 'Black Orpheus' (all chosen to show the band can "do" Latin properly) and Stevie Wonder's 'Ribbon In The Sky' ( great keys from Steve Long here).
That leaves a quartet of original tunes of which the opener, 'Urban Phunk' is the strongest. It rides a great soul groove and features catchy rifffing from the three piece brass section. 'Under The Sea' is another goodie – more flavours of Steely Dan... clearly the band dig Becker and Fagen. More established smooth jazz outfits would be rightly proud of these two cuts and you can find out more about the album on www.saxmanpro.com , while the album is currently available from CDBaby.
www.soulandjazzandfunk.com
(BB) 3/5
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Smooth Jazz Gateway reviews Urban Funk Heroes And Legends
http://www.smoothvibes.com/
Ronald Jackson's Smooth Jazz Gateway
Urban Funk – Heroes and Legends
Bringing us some East Coast jammin’ is this MD-based group, Urban Funk, which does a really decent job of incorporating a solid group of covers with some competent original material to create Heroes and Legends, a nice collection to add to your smooth jazz goodies.Designed with the intent, as the group says, “to pay homage and elaborate on the creativity of our teachers, gurus and masters of an art form we love” as well as to “add original material as the culmination of the experiences performing, recording and representing the pulse of the eras in we which we participated,” this album obviously has a direction. The covers are nicely interpreted though only conservatively tweaked. I suppose that was to drive home the point that the approach to these tunes was to preserve the integrity of the compositions and to show respect for the work of those coming before this group. A noble gesture.
The original material suggests that the group didn’t just sit down and bang out a few notes, record them, and thrust them forward without regard to the listening public’s sensitivities.
After a funky and snappy opening track, their original “Urban Phunk,” the group goes right after Steely Dan’s “Josie,” a brave gesture in my opinion, since I highly respect Steely Dan’s work, and it handles it most effectively.
There are other examples of some satisfying quality playing (and singing, as is evidenced on Bobby Caldwell’s “What You Won’t Do For Love,” sung here quite well by one Tommy Lepson), and you can hear that time was truly used wisely-- and not wasted-- in creating this production.
Posted by Ronald Jackson at 8:28 PM
Ronald Jackson's Smooth Jazz Gateway
Urban Funk – Heroes and Legends
Bringing us some East Coast jammin’ is this MD-based group, Urban Funk, which does a really decent job of incorporating a solid group of covers with some competent original material to create Heroes and Legends, a nice collection to add to your smooth jazz goodies.Designed with the intent, as the group says, “to pay homage and elaborate on the creativity of our teachers, gurus and masters of an art form we love” as well as to “add original material as the culmination of the experiences performing, recording and representing the pulse of the eras in we which we participated,” this album obviously has a direction. The covers are nicely interpreted though only conservatively tweaked. I suppose that was to drive home the point that the approach to these tunes was to preserve the integrity of the compositions and to show respect for the work of those coming before this group. A noble gesture.
The original material suggests that the group didn’t just sit down and bang out a few notes, record them, and thrust them forward without regard to the listening public’s sensitivities.
After a funky and snappy opening track, their original “Urban Phunk,” the group goes right after Steely Dan’s “Josie,” a brave gesture in my opinion, since I highly respect Steely Dan’s work, and it handles it most effectively.
There are other examples of some satisfying quality playing (and singing, as is evidenced on Bobby Caldwell’s “What You Won’t Do For Love,” sung here quite well by one Tommy Lepson), and you can hear that time was truly used wisely-- and not wasted-- in creating this production.
Posted by Ronald Jackson at 8:28 PM
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