Internationally acclaimed New York guitarist and composer Oz Noy follows his provocative two-volume exploration and reinvention of his blues roots (Twisted Blues) with Who Gives a Funk, due out April 15th – a examination of classic funk and R&B grooves, spiked with his uniquely unhinged improvisational instincts. “Simple, funky music – but soulful,” is how Noy describes it, while acknowledging that simple is not synonymous with easy: The discipline and clarity these classic structures demand put even the finest musicians to the test, and Noy and his all-star cohorts deliver a remarkable program that uncovers intriguing new pathways through timeless forms.
Inspired by the funk-blues nexus of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s music of artists like Freddie King, James Brown, Albert Collins, Who Gives a Funk mixes concise, compelling original compositions with reimaginings of vintage standards by Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Sam Cook, Charles Mingus, and even Thelonious Monk – mostly tracked live in the studio for maximum grit and spark. A core group of New York’s finest (The Band: Drums- Rocky Bryant, Steve Wolf, Chris Layton. Bass- Will Lee, Roscoe Beck. Organ- Jerry Z.) is augmented by an impressive array of guest appearances, including performances by John Medeski, Dweezil Zappa, funk pioneer Fred Wesley, Chris Potter, Robben Ford, Randy Brecker, Joe Bonamassa, and Living Color vocalist Corey Glover.
Through it all, Noy’s guitar is the connecting thread. Whether steering the band with incisive, stark rhythm work or soaring over the grooves with impeccable single-note leads that recall the graceful, nuanced inflection of a fine soul vocalist, Noy brilliantly walks a musical tightrope spanning the best of the past and the future. Surprising, danceable, and accessible, Who Gives a Funk is a powerfully heartfelt new statement from one of contemporary guitar’s great improvisational stylists.
The Band: Drums- Rocky Bryant, Steve Wolf , Chris Layton. Bass- Will Lee, Roscoe Beck. Organ- Jerry Z. Precessions-Danny Sadownick
Feat. Special Guests: Joe Bonamasa, Robben Ford, Dweezil Zappa, John Medeski, Randy Brecker, Chris Potter, Fred Wesley.
Who Gives a Funk Track Listing:
01 Come On (feat. Fred Wesley)
02 Flashback (feat. John Medeski)
03 Better Get it in your Soul (feat.Randy Brecker)
04 I Got You (feat. Chris Potter)
05 A Change is Gonna Come
06 Ice Man (feat. Robben Ford)
07 Zig Zag
08 Damn This Groove (feat. Dweezil Zappa)
09 Little Wing (feat. Corey Glover)
10 Five Spot Blues (feat. Joe Bonamassa)
OZ NOY TOUR DATES
with Dave Weckl (Drums); Jimmy Haslip (Bass)
March 18, 2016 TBC, Urumqi
March 20, 2016 Sichuan Conservatory, Chengdu
March 21, 2016 JZ Club, Guangzhou
March 22, 2016 Onstage, Shanghai
March 23, 2016 Spring Theater, Kunming
March 25, 2016 Pi Live House, Tianjin
March 27, 2016 Shandong Theater, Jinan
March 29, 2016 Cotton Club, Tokyo
March 30, 2016 Cotton Club, Tokyo
March 31, 2016 Cotton Club, Tokyo
April 01, 2016 Cotton Club, Tokyo
April 05, 2016 Catalina Jazz Club, Los Angeles
April 06, 2016 Catalina Jazz Club, Los Angeles
April 12, 2016 Iridium, New York
April 13, 2016 Iridium, New York
April 14, 2016 Iridium, New York
April 15, 2016 Sellersville Theatre, Sellersville
April 16, 2016 Jammin Java, Vienna
April 17, 2016 The House That Rocks, Indian Trail
April 19, 2016 Third & Lindsley, Nashville
April 20, 2016 Martyr's, Chicago
April 21, 2016 Rascals Live, Molene, IL
April 22, 2016 Jazz Kitchen, Indianapolis
April 23, 2016 Jazz Kitchen, Indianapolis
April 25, 2016 Main Street Studio, Walla Walla
April 26, 2016 Jazz Alley, Seattle
April 27, 2016 Jazz Alley, Seattle
April 28, 2016 Yoshi's, Oakland
April 29, 2016 Yoshi's, Oakland
April 30, 2016 Ramona Mainstage, San Diego
