Electronic Press kit
The Funk Junket is a high-voltage global funk band dedicated to creating irresistible grooves and positive energy for the soul. Based on California's Central Coast, The Funk Junket's six journeymen musicians cook up a fresh gumbo of jazz, funk, cumbia , salsa and afrobeat that is sure to pack the dance floor. Our mission is to uplift, inspire and ignite through an original fusion of funky afro/latin-grooves and jazz inspired melodies. Formed in late 2023, The Funk Junket has already gained an enthusiastic following and is becoming a sought-after band for its funky horns, global grooves, deep pocket rhythms and original compositions. They are sure to bring some joy and movement to your body mind and soul.
The Funk Junket Musicians include: Paul Trent (drums), Billy Baxmeyer (electric bass guitar and vocals), Hector Mayoral (vocals, congas, percussion), Aaron Burger (electric guitar), Sam Franklin (tenor and baritone saxaphone), and Geof Land (trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals)
______________________________
More Background and History of The Funk Junket:
All of the members of The Funk Junket have known each other for years, playing together in one configuration or another. Latest addition Hector (discovered by Paul on craigslist [!!} fits right in the musical gumbo, bringing his solid latin pedigree.
Paul first met Billy 20 years ago and played in some early trance/ambient world-beat collective jams for ecstatic dances. They've played together in the Mystery Brothers for over 15 years. Sam, Geof and then later Aaron were all in various incarnations of Mama Tumba, which Paul founded back in 2014. Geof and Paul also played together in the second-line hot jazz combo , The Ragbone Saints.
The formation of The Funk Junket was inspired by our love of African rhythms and melodies , and specifically after Paul and Geof heard Tony Allen and Hugh Masakela's album, Rejoice. The minimal, sparse instrumentation on Rejoice (super funky afro grooves and simple but haunting horn lines) offered us a new perspective on bringing interesting soulful rhtyhms into a more stripped down jazz format. Our vision was to keep this project compact and manageable, utilizing hand picked players we love and connect with easily, and who can shred on their instruments.
This is how The Funk Junket came into existence..... our Mission, Purpose and Intention: to Uplift and Unite People through the Universal Language of Music, to Spread Joy, Good Feeling and the Inspiration to Move and Dance Together, and
to Promote Healing through the Positive Experience and Expression of Soul.
Reviews:
" The Funk Junket is certain to bring the funk... Yet they also bring so much fun! We thoroughly enjoyed them playing our space and would have them every weekend if we could! They get people up on the dance floor , and are all incredibly talented musicians!"
- Kolleen Harrison, proprietor of SLO Wine and Beer, SLO CA
_____________________________________
"The Funk Junket's sensuous, uplifting , multi-rhythmic carnival of sound will have you dancing, floating in a joyful expression of life."
- Charlie Puffer, owner of Puffers of Pismo, Pismo Beach, CA
_____________________________________
"The Funk Junket always brings the perfect combinations of fun, funk community and cool. Events with them have always been our favorites as the music is always groovin' all night long, combined with the special community they have created through their music. Their presence always make for joyful nights!"
Sam DeNicola, Co-Owner, Bread Bike Bakery, San Luis Obispo