Bass/Lead Vocals (Founding Member)
Rich Fracasse; founding member of the Funk Junkies, grew up in Newburgh NY-a city just north of NYC. At the time, Newburgh had some of the highest violent crime rates in the country because of its depressed urban environment and lack of opportunity. During his adolescence, Rich gravitated toward music- avoiding of the many potential pitfalls that existed for young adults in his community. He was also fortunate enough to have played with many local inner city musicians during that time. Many of these musicians were involved with the church and played Gospel music.
“Having the opportunity to play with these talented guys growing up gave me the ability to really know syncopation and the groove… I learned and felt things playing with those guys that no music theory teacher could ever teach you. That feeling is embedded in me forever now.” At 12 years old Rich was listening to bands like Chicago and three dog night but quickly gravitated towards real funk and soul like James Brown, EW & F, The Ohio Players, AWB, Al Green etc… While all of my friends were listening to Led Zeppelin and the hard rock stuff I was mesmerized by guys like Larry Graham, Bootsey Collins and Stanley Clark.”
For the past 8 years Rich has been the Funk Junkies lead and founding member. “Since starting this band about 8 years ago I’ve again had the great opportunity to perform with, befriend and be befriended by some of the best musicians in the Tri-State area. When this band performs the good time we’re having on stage is obvious and I think our audience picks up on that, making them want to be a part of it. We welcome them in and feed off of their energy also. It’s like a ping pong match and the groove is the ball. I’d like to thank all of the Funk Junkies fans and members past and present for making this band so enjoyable for me and I hope the band creates the same enjoyment for all of you!”
Vocals (Also of Living Colour)
Lead singer of Living Colour, the multi-talented Corey Glover has albums as a solo artist and acted in movies & television. Glover met guitarist Vernon Reid in the early ’80s. The duo went on to form Living Colour (along with drummer Will Calhoun and bassist Muzz Skillings), but just as the group was creating a buzz in the N.Y.C. underground, Glover had to briefly leave the group when he landed a part in Oliver Stone’s classic Vietnam movie, Platoon. Shortly after he returned, Living Colour was signed to Epic (thanks in part to a Mick Jagger-produced demo tape), and scored a big hit with their debut recording, 1989’s Vivid, and smash single/video “Cult of Personality.” Glover later launched a career as a solo artist, issuing Hymns in 1998, also finding time to appear as a VJ on VH1 and acting in the 1996 movie Loose Women including co-headlining a national tour of Jesus Christ Superstar as Judas, opposite Ted Neeley. Glover reunited with his Living Colour chums in 2001 and have released THE CHAIR IN THE DOORWAY in 2009. When not touring w/ Living Colour, Glover can also be seen w/ Galactic OR touring w/ his solo acoustic group.
Guitar, Bass & Vocals
Born and raised in a small town 90 minutes from NYC, to a mother who sang live on the radio in the 40’s and father that made sure Tom and his 8 siblings knew that family, faith and music were the way of life. From playing behind curtains in bars that Tom was too young to be in or being a part of the impromptu 20th anniversary of Woodstock for an experience he’d never forget. Tom grew up playing the music he loves with his brothers in a band called the Rausch Brothers Band, with a strong local following for the next 40 plus years. All while raising his 4 kids and traveling from job to job doing what he loves. Tom enjoys listening and learning from some well-known bass players such as Lee Sklar, Marcus Miller and Jaco, along with many others and is humbled to have been able to have shared the stage with so many talented musicians he has been fortunate enough to have met in the business. Tom plans on keeping it going as along as his wife and the good lord allows him to.
Guitar
Trombone/Horns
Jason Miller appears throughout the Hudson Valley and NYC performing with artists including Jason Casterlin, the Funk Junkies, the Dan Brother Band, and the Anita Brown Jazz Orchestra. He is an active composer & arranger for middle school, high school and college jazz ensembles and is currently the Director of ‘Stomp’ at the Elisabeth Morrow School in Englewood, NJ, where he has also served as Assistant Director of Bands. A recipient of the Performers Certificate from Indiana University, Jason completed a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies in May 2007 and served as an Associate Instructor for Dr. David Baker and the Jazz Department from 2005 to 2006. He joined the nationally acclaimed Buselli Wallarab Jazz Orchestra in 2005 and remained a regular member for three years until moving to New York. Jason played trombone on three albums released on Owl Records with the Buselli Wallarab Jazz Orchestra including “Mezzanine”, “An Old Soul”, and “Carol of the Bells” while contributing one arrangement to the album “Where or When”.
Tenor Sax
Saxophonist Dr. Michael Antonelli has been performing throughout the Hudson Valley since 1978. He started his musical journey during high school as an original member of the Wethead band. While earning his bachelors degree at Berklee college of music in Boston he studied with jazz greats Joe Viola, Andy Maghee, Jimmy Mosher, and the legendary Woody Herman band saxophonist Frank Tiberi. In 1982 he returned to the Hudson Valley and continued to perform with several local artists over the years. He joined the wedding band Silk & Sounds where he honed his performing, arranging, and composing skills until the band’s retirement in 2005. During this time he also earned his masters degree in music education and began a twenty year journey as a music educator at Valley Central Schools. In 2008, his original jazz song “Golden Opportunity” from his CD “Woody and Me” was voted runner up for jazz song of the year by the Independent Music Awards panel. In 2015 he finished his doctoral dissertation at Boston University titled “Joe Lovano and Us Five: A Study on the Development of a Unique Improvisational Voice from Within the Jazz Tradition” He continues to enjoy a long mentorship and friendship with acclaimed saxophonist Joe Lovano.
Alto Sax
Blues and Jazz music in his early years. At the age of 8, he began his first experiment on the alto saxophone. He discovered his predilection for Jazz and Blues soon and at age 17, he became a student at the famous Berklee College of Music.
Also during the time when Derrick was a GI in the U.S. Army, he had the possibilities to prove his experiences, which he collected at Berklee. This, of course also helped his professional career as a saxophonist.
„Think Positive“ is the debut album from the 26 year old New Yorker and at this young age, his music career so far is extraordinary. He has performed with Chaka Khan, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Klaus Doldinger, Billy Cobham, Bireli Lagrene, Being born as the son of a gospel singer, Derrick James was already confronted with Soul, Gospel, Gino Vannelli and Acoustic Alchemy.
His roots lie deeply in Jazz, Blues and Gospel. This album was produced by his friend, the piano player and keyboarder Christoph Spendel, who discovered Derrick in New York.
Derrick James belongs to one of the most wanted studio musicians and sideman of the European Jazz, Funk and Pop Scene.
„Think Positive“ is a personal attitude of the artist regarding his career; this is also reflected in his songs. Derrick’s light, jazzy feeling is in many compositions the carrying element of this technically brilliant production.
vocals
Trumpet
Educated at world renowned music school Indiana University, musician/composer/ producer/audio engineer/videographer, Rick Savage has lived and worked in & around New York city for the past 36 years.
He continues to be in demand as a performing & recording trumpet player,
making guest solo appearances on the CD projects of many NY area artists. His favorite projects; the Rick Savage Group and INNERrOUTe have appeared several times at the Hudson Valley Jazz Fest.
Rick also has a rich composing background. He scored “A Whole New Day” for
Cinemax, staring James Gandolfini. Other composing credits include jingles & industrial films for Nissan & Pfizer. Locally, Rick is owner of Savage Multimedia Audio & Video Recording (www.savagetmultimedia.com).
His history as a former band member/ studio musician for the following well known artists, set the stage for the makings of an extremely versatile artist. Tania Maria, Gerry Mulligan, Jack McDuff, Mel Lewis, Nancy Wilson, Mel Torme, Tony Bennet, Toshiko Aikioshi, Dione Warwick, Warne Marsh, The Jackson Five, Randy Brecker, The O’Jays. Stan Kenton, Daniel Ponce, Anthony Jackson, Nestor Torres and Blood Sweat & Tears.
Drums
Born and raised in Middletown NY. His earliest influence came from his father Larry Sr., a local drummer who has played with countless bands in the area including the great Jimmy Stir. After graduating high school, he went on to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston Massachusetts.
Larry studied with some of the best drummers in the industry such as Rick Considine, Mike Mangini, Rod Morgenstein, Larry Finn and Kenwood Dennard.
Over the years Larry has played with many local talents such as The Brian Tice Band, Phillip The Meatbox, Live Society, Dean Scala, The Bendy Brothers, Dan Brother Band, The Common Ground Orchestra, Hillbilly Parade, Tim Santiago, John Irizarry and also currently plays with Home At Last.
Larry brings a pocket groove with great energy and fiery chops, a perfect foundation for the number one Funk band in the Hudson Valley.
Trumpet
“Kenny Harbus is a musician that takes his trumpet sound to new heights”
Kenny Harbus studied Trumpet Performance at The Crane School of Music.
His talents have led him to perform in diverse settings throughout his career. He has performed as a solo artist alongside well known entertainers.
Kenny’s unique style has been appreciated at international venues, onboard cruise vessels and locally here in the Hudson Valley.
Stage Performances: Panama, Mexico, Bahama Cruise Line, Scandinavian Cruise Line, Nashville, Concord and Nevele Hotels, Friar Tuck and Villa Roma.
Performing Partners: Dizzy Gillespie, Randy Brecker, Slide Hampton, Willie Nelson, Oak Ridge Boys, Boots Randolph, Gloria Gaynor and others.
Band Member: Victor Paz Band and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.
Concert Events: Farm Aid, Grand Ole Opry and many others.
Current Performances with the Jimmy Sturr Band.
Vocals
Rosmerayah Garcia is a multifaceted young woman who has an obsession with self-expression. A singer, poet, actress, and activist. She’s heavily influenced by her Afro-Latin and Taino roots.
Rosmerayah was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York where she started writing her poetry in the midst of the chaos. She allows her surroundings to shape her work. After moving to the Hudson Valley, Rosmerayah started performing her original work at school events, cafes, and open mics. She eventually joined bands like IllHarmonic and Funk Junkies as a singer for the chance to be constantly collaborating, performing, and creating with different artists.
Rosmerayah uses her talents to tell the stories that need to be told and bring people together. One project at a time.
