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| Funk de Nite New CD album release Trumpet player Saskia Laroo from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, founding her own record label, Laroo Records, in 1994 has produced four available albums. Her first CD, the acid-jazz influenced It's Like Jazz(Laroo Records 1994) was released in more than fifteen countries throughout the world. This was followed by her dance-jazz album, the hip-grooved Bodymusic(Laroo Records1998). Moving on to acoustic jazz for her next two albums, she produced the Fifties-Miles Davis Influenced Jazzkia(Laroo Records 1999) and Sunset Eyes 2000 featuring the legendary tenor saxophonistTeddy Edwards and LA blues vocalist Ernie Andrews. Originally conceived to promote solely her own work, Saskia has taken exception with Laroo Records fifth album release J-5 by Funk de Night, a Poland-based group with whom she has toured many times since their first meeting in 2003. Funk de Nite's founder, leader, and saxophonist Ryszard Krawzcuk asked Saskia to release the album they all recorded together in 2004 from her label. Faced with a fine product featuring a funky array of international talent including herself, she did not hesitate. The special guests that augment this crew are bassist Steve Logan and keys-and-vocals man Warren Byrd both from USA, and rapper MC Vlash aka Virgil Stelk of Surinam. Standout fusion band Funk de Night, founded in September of 1993 and based in Krakow, has performed club dates, concerts, and enumerous festivals throughout their homeland: a.o.Jazz on Odra River in Wroclaw, FAMA in Swinoujscie, Zaduszki Jazzowe in Cracow, Silesia Jazz Festival in Katowice, Radom Jazz Festival, Old and Young-Jazz in Cracow, Jazz Sessions in Gliwice, Jazz on San River, Podlasie Jazz Festival to name a few. J-5, Funk de Nite's second album is a novel mixture of Jazz, Funk, Rock, and Rap showcasing orginal compositions by various members and revisions of two Laroo pieces. Three tracks, including the title track, were composed by bassist Pawel Maciwoda (Poland), the other two entitled "Duke" and "Sad". Krawzcuk contributed the lilting "Three After Three" with an impromptu intro to Warren Byrd's credit. Guitarist Marek Raduli put in his bittersweet "Smut" and impressaria Saskia refreshed her "Bodymusic" and "Spin" from prior releases Bodymusic and Jazzkia. The core members of Funk de Nite as featured on J-5 are: -Ryszard Krawczuk, Saxophonist/founder/leader, was born Aug. 13, 1960 in Strezelce Opolskie, Poland (close to Opole) and studied at Katowice Academy of Music, in their Jazz And Contemporary Music division graduating in 1984. He began visiting Krakow in 1990 and settled there permanently in 1994 teaching in Krakow School of Jazz (KSJ) and leader and co-leader since then on several projects like OH group, Mr Bober 's Friends. Along with his duties for Funk de Nite he also organizes tours with international jazz, rap, Afro and Caribbean artists whom he invites to Poland. He records and tours frequently with international jazz and pop bands. -Drummer Artur Malik, born in Zarki, Poland (near Katowiche) also a graduate f the Jazz And Contemporary Music divisio of the Katowice Academy of Music, oved to Krakow around 1992 where he now teaches at Krakow School of Jazz KSJ). An original member of Funk de Nite, he also plays, records, and tours nternationally with Motion Trio(World Music), LAPD(Rock), and Polish standout rock band Lombard. - Bass player Pawel Maciwoda, was born in Wieliczka, Poland (near Krakow). While living abroad early in his career in New York he played with Adam Holzman ( a Miles Davis alumuns), violinist Michael Urbaniak, vocalist Urszula Dudziak and guitarist Hiram Bullock. In 2000, after a decade, he returned permanently to Krakow working the with well-known TSA (heavy metal) and Walk Away (fusion). He presently tours with the legendary Scorpions and appears on their latest CD. - Guitarist Marek Raduli, was born in Kedzierzyn, Poland (near Opole), living now in Lublin. Begining music as a guitarist and drummer in high school, he soon distinguished himself in Poland's famous Budka Suflera with whom he toured the world and courted great success (a.o. sold out performances at Carnegie Hall, NY, USA and over eight-million CD sales). He has also released his own solo album.Begining of 2004 he joined Funk de Nite replacing Jarek Smietana as guitarist. Special guests on the album J5 are: -Trumpet player Saskia Laroo, born and living in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, since graduating from Music School in 1985 has performed and recorded with jazz, world and pop formations including figures such as Teddy Edwards, Rosa King, and Hans and Candy Dulfer. She has led her own various groups since 1980. After the success of her first solo album It Like Jazz in 1994, she has performed worldwide as Saskia Laroo Band(dance-jazz-rap), Jazzkia(pure jazz), Salsabop(Latin jazz), Saskia 's Solo Act(Dance) and as Special Guest. Since 2003, Saskia often tours as a feature with Funk de Nite . -Keyboardist, pianist and singer Warren Byrd, of Hartford, Connecticut(USA) began early as a singer branching into acting and piano as a teen. Though accepting a classical voice scholarship at Hartt College of Music in Hartford, he soon chose to study music on his own. Amongst the many with whom he has played and recorded are trombonist Steve Davis, Archie Shepp, Eddie Henderson, and the Afro-Semitic Experience. He has also released one solo CD. Since meeting Saskia in 2001, he has toured worldwide as her keyboardist. Introduced to Funk de Nite by Saskia in the begining of 2004, they have featured him on many of their tour dates. - Bass player Steve Logan(USA), born in Cleveland, Ohio (USA) moved to New York in his twenties and performed and recorded with world famous artists like David Sandborn, John Scofield and Michel Petrucciani. He moved to Italy mid-nineties and became also a festival organizer. In 2003 he moved to Krakow and has been based there since then , performing with Poland 's finest jazz, pop and world bands as well as backing up international artists visiting Poland. He has played with Funk de Nite since 2003. - Rapper Vlash (Virgil Stelk) , born in Paramaribo (Surinam), moved to the Netherlands at a very young age and lives at the moment in the Hague. During his high school years as his talent as a rapper became apparent, he began performing and recording frequently with his own rap crews, giving rap workshops, and working as a producer. Vlash performing and touring internationally with Saskia Laroo Band since 2003, he created a rap on "Bodymusic" at Saskia and Ryszard 's request. April/May 2005 was his first tour in Poland with Funk de Nite. write your comments about the article :: © 2005 Jazz News :: home page |