The California Honeydrops
In spite of their name, the California Honeydrops play New Orleans-rooted dance music: blues, gospel, second line jazz, and early R&B. From the stomps of Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet to the romps of Fats Domino and Chris Kenner, plus Ray Charles and the band’s original songs, the California Honeydrops have been making listeners and dancers ecstatic since they formed in 2007. Their two CDs, “Soul Tub” and last year’s “Spreadin’ Honey,” are pure party music, but nothing like experiencing the band on the Ashkenaz dance floor. The Honeydrops were just named Best Band in the 2011 East Bay Express’ “Best of the East Bay” readers’ poll, with “Spreadin’ Honey” winning Best Album. Over the past year-plus they have toured Spain, Poland, Belgium, and the Netherlands, as well as up and down the West Coast.
The Funk Ark
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All the way from Washington, D.C., the Funk Ark brings its gritty and soulful mix of Afrobeat and big-band world funk. Its original music draws on influences from the African and Latin/funk dance scenes of the ’60s and ’70s. According to the Washington Post, “The Funk Ark are quickly establishing themselves as one of the city’s best sweat-producing acts.” Tonight the band celebrates the release of its debut CD, “From the Rooftops.” Like the album, onstage the Funk Ark delivers a healthy dose of vintage Afrobeat, Latin, and funk stylings recalling the best of Fela Kuti’s Africa 70, the JB’s, and the Fania Allstars all at once. The Funk Ark is keyboardist-leader-composer Will Rast, trumpeter-percussionist Joe Herrera, saxophonist Matt Rippetoe, guitarists Rodney Richardson and Greg Loman, bass player Marc Blackwood, drummer Lee Durham, and conga player-percussionist Josh Kay. www.thefunkark.com
The artist information was found at the Ashkenaz website.