This is FRESH AIR. In the 1970s, influential musicians such as Ornette Coleman began combining free jazz and electric funk. Three notable vets of free funk bands periodically team up to get ...

We Want the Funk!, an expansive, emotive, celebratory documentary looking at one of history's most important musical genres, begins simply. Legendary studio musician Marcus Miller picks up his bass ...

The Red & Black is a 501c3 nonprofit. Please consider a one-time gift or become a monthly supporter. Cancel anytime. National Get Funky Day will be observed for the very first time on Thursday, Oct. 5 ...

Bass Week: The word ‘funk’ or ‘funky’ can be applied to almost anything, from butt-shaking basslines to scatter cushions. We all instinctively know what’s implied, but in a bass playing sense, what ...

With George Clinton announcing his retirement, Big Sam’s Funky Nation is ready to fill up the void for those who need to free their mind so their ass will follow. The New Orleans-based act, led by Big ...

In 1976, the band Wild Cherry scored their first and only No. 1 hit with the song “Play That Funky Music.” The song, which appeared on the Ohio-based funk rock band’s self-titled 1976 debut album, hit ...

One of Los Angeles’ most celebrated dance nights is cutting the music short in Echo Park on Saturday after 14 years of funk, soul and sweat. Organizers of the Echo’s monthly all-vinyl ‘60s soul bash ...

New York, NY - It has been almost 20 years since New York City boogied to the sounds of funk music legends The Funky Knights. Imagine a mixture of Barry White, John Lee Hooker and Sam Kinison and you ...

Basim Blunt was a 14-year-old paper boy in Jersey City, New Jersey, when he first heard “Skin Tight” by the Ohio Players. He bought the album the next day and was an instant fan of the band. After ...