Spotlight: The Funky Fritters

Music Promotion via MusicSubmit.com

Webpage: http://www.thefunkyfritters.com
Location: New York, NY, United States
Description: An 11 piece powerhouse serving up a Bowl of Funky Gumbo & A Hearty Helpin' of Deep Fried New Orleans R&B, Blues, Brass, Jazz & Funk.
Biography: Marvin Joshua - vocals Maggie Kus - vocals Celeste Fleurival - vocals Danny Drexler - guitar Jay Gracin- guitar Towner Galaher - drums Roy Shimmyo - bass Toby "Fingers" DelRey - Keyboards Marshall Nichols - trumpet Brad Madsen - Trombone Tim Veeder - Tenor Sax Formerly known as Ma Skillet & The Funky Fritters the band was founded by guitarist Danny Drexler (Whooz Blues, Whisky River, Catfish John) in 2003 when he met original lead vocalist Margaux Laskey at a piano bar and decided they would form a band. With a line up that included Bill Malchow on keys & vocals, Roy Shimmyo from Benicio and the Del Toros on bass and a platoon of Philip Mann and sometime Jessica Simpson drummer Joe Abbatantuono. The original horn section included Travis Sullivan from Bjorkestra (who still makes an occasional guest appearance) and Sean Nowell on sax, Andrew Gold on trombone and Alecia Rau on Trumpet. Back then we were Saturday night regulars at the C-Note, Baggot Inn and Jazz at Detour. Several key members left the band in ‘05 so the band took a 6 month hiatus before coming back with a retooled line-up. Danny Drexler was joined again by Whooz Blues member Jay Gracin on guitar and Isaac-Davy Aronson on lead vocals. And The Funky Frittatas Shira Silberg & Chey Picardo were added on back up vocals. Robert Gingery (Visible From Space w/Judd Harris American Idol Finalist, Lou Volpe, Matthew Puckett) soon joined on bass with Craig Stewart on Drums and Dan Nachimson on boards . Our Horn section at that time includes Ryan resky on Trumpet, Bradley Madsen on Trombone and the incomparable Dave Mullen on Sax, who, in addition to his own band Butta, has played with such notables as John Hicks, G Love & Special Sauce, Delfeayo Marsalis, P-Funk, The Brand New Heavies, Roy Ayers, Nile Rogers, The True fellowship Gospel Choir and the Groove Collective. The Sax position has been a bit of a revolving door since the departure of Mullen in ‘06, with Jessee Sheehan making a short stint and being replaced with our present sax player Tim Veeder who has solidified the spot and has been with us over 2 years. Our present horn section is led by Marshall Nichols on trumpet & Mugwumps, New Groove Orchestra, New York Minute, Jazz Pollution and PsychoTropical Orchestra’s trombonist extraordinaire Nadav Nirenberg joins in a platoon role with Madsen. Summer of 2008 sees more changes to the Fritters line up with the departure of Isaac-Davy Aronson & Shira Silberg. We are joined by highly acclaimed Alligator recording artist Michael Hill and very beautiful Cindy Lamar on vocals! In spring of 2010 Michael Hill departs to focus in on his solo projects. Cindy Lamar departs and a host of female vocalists join in on the fun. Notables are Carrie Furman and Maggie Kuz. Marvin Joshua takes over the male lead vocal duties and Towner Gallaher replaces Rob Mitzner on drums and Toby "Fingers" DelRey, who toured with Wilson Picket joins on the Keyboards. In Fall of 2010 original Fritter, Roy Shimmyo joins again and replaces Bob Gingery on bass. And amazing young talent Naiika Alfred and Kirby Long joins on vocals.
Press Release: THE FUNKY FRITTERS They started out as Ma Skillet & The Funky Fritters. They’ve had many group members come, go and return over the years, right up until 2010. Now known as The Funky Fritters, this class act knew how to deliver from their inception right up to their latest single release, the Robby Robertson tune “The Weight”. “The Weight” is on their newest CD “Deep Fried Live”. It is about a traveler who encounters various characters in the town of Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Originally recorded by Robby Robertson, The Funky Fritters made it their own by adding that fritter flavor to it. This song has a genuine New Orleans old time jazz style to it with plenty of great singing and harmonies, horns playing, guitars crying and the sweet sound of those ivories makes you feel like laying back and grabbing a mint julep and just taking in the atmosphere. What a feeling they leave you with. Better than any medicine out there. This song, as are all their songs, was arranged, recorded and delivered to create maximum effect. With a great line up of blues, jazz and New Orleans artists, The Funky Fritters set a new standard in this music category. They are at the top of their game and should be required listening in my book. “Deep Fried Live” is the apex of the great music, ‘fritterized’ for your entertainment. The Funky Fritters plan to work on their own original material and have visions of documenting that process on video as well. Their next adventure is Mardi Gra on Fat Tuesday, so if you’re in the New Orleans area during that time, you need to grab their act. Keep up with the band and learn about their history by logging onto the following websites: www.thefunkyfritters.com www.myspace.com/thefunkyfritters www.twitter.com/funkyfritters www.youtube.com/thefunkyfritters www.reverbnation.com/thefunkyfritters www.promofm.com (Search: The Funky Fritters) Other websites for music, history, show schedules, contact information are: http://www.watersideplaza.com/roller/blog/entry/meet_danny_drexler_whose_funky www.murphguide.blogspot.com/2010/08/spotlight-artist-funky-fritters.html The Funky Fritters are currently working with A & R Select based in West Hollywood, Ca. for licensing, publishing, a record deal and/or placement opportunities. For additional information, please contact them at: 323-924-5897 www.arselect.com