Artists

Ronnie has been playing drums/ percussion since the age of eight years old. Playing in various youth bands as both a trumpet player and a drummer, he kept active in the music scene at a very young age.

He began performing as a percussionist in the NYC Judaeo-Spanish-Sephardic music scene in his adult life and is on three CD's that currently sell worldwide, both here in the US and abroad. In these bands, he learned how to drum and keep rhythms with a Mediterranean vibe on such drums as the Doumbek, Darbuka, and Djembe. Performing on these drums in the ethnic bands had opened his door to Latin percussion, and he began drumming on the more familiar Congas, Bongos and Timbales that one typically would see here on a funktion 11 performance.

The funktion 11 band he founded began when a southern NJ band he was performing in as the band's percussionist back in 2005 disbanded. Musicians moved on to other opportunities and Ronnie sought to create a band with an image and a "vibe" that he thought would better represent the music he enjoyed performing most.

Today funktion 11 performs music, both covers, and even some original music, mostly in the genres of funk, jazz, r&b, and rock with "horns." The band's sound is infused with horn lines that are written by our band's own MD, and trumpeter, Lee Hogans. The funktion 11 band has an international flavor mixed into it with some of its members from Norway, Uzbekistan and Columbia. The band can perform music both in English as well as Spanish, a plus when performing Latin or certain Jazz music.

Today, the funktion 11 band consists of 11 musicians and vocalists and is based currently in Asbury Park, NJ. The band will travel on location both here in the US and abroad and will perform in a wide variety of venues.

“Anja-Christin is a exceptional young trumpet player with a beautiful tone and a wonderful sense of melodicism. She is an artist to keep your eye on“ -Clark Terry.

Trumpeter and Educator Anja-Christin Nielsen grew up in Son, Norway. She studied music and education at Volda College in Norway before she went on to study Classical Performance at the Royal Academy of Music in Denmark. Anja-Christin then moved to the US in 2005 to study trumpet with the legendary William "Prof" Fielder at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts.

Anja-Christin is an accomplished musician known for creating a smooth tone, crafting lyrical melodies and artful articulation across musical genres. She currently lives in the New York Metropolitan area working as a trumpet player and educator. She has studied with such greats as Clark Terry, Wiliam Fielder, Ole Edvard Antonsen and Vincent Penzarella. Ms. Nielsen is currently a regular member of the bands Pursuance, Funktion 11, and Darren Lambeth & the Found Nation where she plays trumpet and sings back-up vocals. She is also an integral part of the Scandinavian music community in the States. Anja-Christin has performed at a variety of functions for the Norwegian Seaman's Churches and Scandinavia House, and was recently chosen to represent Norwegian Artists in NYC by performing for the Norwegian Royal Family.

As a premiere educator, Ms. Nielsen teaches numerous local private students. She is also the President of Pascal Norway-USA, a worldwide organisation whose mission is to reach underprivileged people through the arts and music. The organization aims to provide musical training for all people with special needs so that cultural activities can be accessable for everyone; especially children with disablilities, and adults suffering from substance abuse and mental illness. This organization is dear to Anja-Christin’s heart, having developed a passion for helping others through music while working for Dissimilis in Norway, a Performing Arts Center which provides arts training for children and adults with special needs. In this same spirit, Ms. Nielsen co-founded Sounds for Sierra Leone, an organization dedicated to creating a music program in Kabala, Sierra Leone, a village that has suffered greatly as a result of the civil war.

Samar Newsome is a soulful American singer and keyboardist whose music has been heard and revered internationally. Classically trained in voice and piano in Princeton, NJ at the Westminster Conservatory, he graduated with a degree in music education. Drawing experience from years of serving as musical director for churches throughout New Jersey and New York, Newsome has continually built and diversified his musical repertoire.

A Newark native, Samar is currently a music teacher in the New Jersey school system. He is also a musical director at Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, NY. His talents include singing, songwriting, producing, playing keyboards including: organ, rhodes, grand piano etc, as well as arranging in ALL genres of music.

Newsome has spent a significant amount of time in the background of the industry learning its inner workings. Samar has produced and performed on several commercial recordings including his own projects available on Itunes. Along with studio recordings, he has worked on various live performances for major artists including Faith Evans, Jill Scott, Canton Jones, Bebe and CeCe Winans and the late Walter Hawkins.

Growing up in a musical family in Lakeview, Long Island, NY, Charles received guitar lessons at an early age from a local music store in Baldwin, Long Island, NY and from a local jazz guitarist/luthier, Alder Mclane. Upon moving to New Jersey in 1984 and upon hearing a bassist play in his church on Sundays, Charles decided to take the route of the primarily self-taught musician, and by surrounding himself with music and seasoned players, became a 1st call electric bassist. Absorbing all he could, Charles dedicated his life to music and began playing bass, guitar, and drums in churches at a young age. While learning how to play bass, Charles also studied percussion and in high school, marched with the Piscataway Superchiefs, a world renowned marching band. Charles continues to perform music with some of the industry’s top talent including Rock/Funk/Soul/RnB bands Sharief in Burgundy, Blaqmel and Malicious Soul, Rainbow Fresh, Amandla, and most recently, Funktion 11 as a freelance bassist/guitarist and continues to perform at some of New York and Central Jersey’s top venues.

Kelvin J. King has been playing the drum set for almost his whole life. He was attracted to the sound and the rhythm at the age of 3, and would bang on every and anything he could find. His parents couldn't afford a drum set at the time, so he created his own set with pots and pans. As he got older, he perfected playing the drums, percussion, and also started singing, producing, writing and arranging his own music. Kelvin had the opportunity to be the Assistant Band Director at Sheepshead Bay High School for 4 years, and it was there that he used his gifts and sharpened his leadership skills. He now works at his home church, Christian Cultural Center as the MD for the C3 Band "Oaks of Righteousness", the Choir Director for the C3 Youth Choir, and Youth Leader for C3 University.

Kelvin J. King has played and worked with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Gladis Knight, Ashford and Simpson, the Craig Crawford players, Hezekiah Walker and LFC, Israel Houghton, Mary Mary, The Clark Sisters and countless more. He is not afraid to play any genre of music! The bands that influence his sound and his craft are the Dave Weckl Band, the Dave Matthews Band and, his all time favorite, Mint Condition. His diverse style and gift took him to Singapore, Guatemala, Europe, and everywhere in between! He continuously helps those who have amazing gifts and talents, and gives them chances they never would've had. Kelvin's vision for his life is to establish his own music empire, and he is building it one block at a time.

Vanessa Perea’s voice is strong in the tradition of the masters. With a rare ability to sing diverse styles at the highest degree of authenticity, beautiful sound and sweeping range, Vanessa shows a confidence and poise beyond her years. She has shared the stage with James Moody, Jimmy Heath, Eddie Palmieri, Charles McPherson, Randy Brecker, Dwayne Burno and George Cables.

Born on September 24, 1987 in Glenridge, New Jersey, to parents of Cuban and Colombian heritage, she grew up listening to salsa tunes on her father’s record player and learned to dance before she could walk. She began to sing in her church choir around the age of 6. In high school she took piano lessons, voice lessons, and performed in numerous school musicals and choirs. Her early training yielded impressive results. Educators recognized her mastery; fellow musicians sought her interpretive flair. With a desire to refine her considerable talents she soon enrolled at New Jersey City University, where she received a BA in Music Education.

Vanessa can be seen performing in the NY/NJ area with her group and as a vocalist for New Brunswick Jazz Project based in New Brunswick, NJ. Her distinguished appearances include most famous jazz clubs such as The Blue Note, Cleopatra’s Needle, Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, Smalls, Miles Café and Trumpets.

Vanessa’s future continues to grow brighter with her highly anticipated release coming this fall 2011, featuring Cyrus Chestnut, John Lee, Mark Whitfield.

New York based saxophonist, composer and educator, Andrew Gutauskas is emerging as one of New York’s up and coming talents. Originally from Central Connecticut, Andrew received his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from William Paterson University and in 2004 moved to New York City to attend the Artist Diploma program at the Juilliard School. During his career, Andrew has shared the stage with artists such as Michael Buble, Wynton Marsalis, Jimmy Heath, Frank Wess, Harold Mayburn, Paul Simon and many others. Andrew has performed at the Blue Note, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Rockefeller Center, the Jazz Standard, Smoke Jazz Club, Alice Tully Hall, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and the Queen Mary 2, just to name a few. He has also performed and given master classes throughout the United States and around the world at venues in Italy, Costa Rica, Canada and Japan.

Every once in a while an artist comes along with that rare combination of gifts— a unique voice, a unique sound and a creative vision— reflecting the present and creating an enduring body of work to inspire future artists and listeners of all ages with a sound and style that are immediately classic.

Tony Zeke is such an artist; a singer-songwriter with a powerful, silky delivery that's supercharged and super-sensual, but so raw and so vulnerable that you believe every bit of it. Zeke began singing in school and church choirs in his hometown of East Orange, NJ, eventually landing a gig with the critically acclaimed vocal quintet, 14-Karat Soul. The group’s extensive tours throughout Europe, Asia and the U.S. included a performance at the World Music Awards in Monte Carlo. After signing with Sony International’s Pony Canyon Records, the group won numerous awards, most notably at the Tokyo Music Award Festival. Zeke quickly discovered his talent as a composer and arranger, working on Disney movie soundtrack albums.

Zeke's gospel roots and years of immersion in the true R&B tradition shine through on all his work. He possesses a thrilling, emotional delivery tamed with a lyric soulfulness that puts him out ahead of the pack.

Trumpeter and composer, W. Lee Hogans finds truth in the words of the charismatic Louis Armstrong, “What we play is life!” Beginning his music studies at the age of ten, Lee’s experience has gained him notoriety by working with giants in the entertainment industry. Lee is has toured with Hip Hop legend Jay-Z, who performed at the inauguration of President Barack Obama. He is a band member of legendary pop icon, Prince and played with him at the 2008 Academy Awards/Oscars Party. Lee toured with media mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs’ on the Press Play World Tour, with Hidden Beach Recording Artist Jill Scott in the U.S and Europe during her 2008 “The Real Thing” Tour.

Lee is persistently cultivating his sound and skill as a trumpeter and composer leading his own band, Pursuance, who completed their debut album “The Vibe Orientation.” His band plays at a number of destination venues throughout New York and New Jersey including the Blue Note, Groove, and Cecil’s Jazz Club. Lee earned a Master’s degree in Jazz Performance from Rutgers University in 2003, and has continued to make influential moves in his career as a trumpeter-in-demand, making a name for himself in New York City, where he is works in the recording studio lacing tracks with his relevant signature, having recorded with Mark Ronson, Jadakiss, Fantasia, Missy Elliot, Busta Rhymes, Sheila E, and on Prince’s album, Planet Earth.

Lee is currently music director of Funktion 11.

Robert Edwards was born in West Palm Beach, Florida. Starting out on piano at the tender age of five, he began playing trombone upon entering middle school. While in high school, Robert attended workshops by Bill Watrous and Wycliffe Gordon, sparking his desire to pursue further studies in jazz. Since moving to the NY/NJ Metropolitan area in 2006, he has completed his Masters Degree from Juilliard and has enjoyed playing in the bands of such legends and luminaries as Jimmy Heath, Claudio Roditi, Roy Hargrove, Christian McBride, and the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band.

Misha Fatkiev began playing guitar at an early age and within two years of playing, he was performing at the Chicago Blues Club in New York City. Having moved here from the former USSR as a child, Misha has absorbed the “American sound” to make a rhythmic style of world, funk, and jazz music. He leads a busy schedule performing as a sideman and leader at premier venues throughout the northeast coast such as Showman's in Harlem, The Blue Note in New York, Carnegie Hall, Trumpets Jazz Club, Cecil’s Jazz Club, Skipper's, The Garage in NYC, The Mercury Lounge, Smalls, Fat Cat, sharing the stage with world class artists such as Gregory Porter, Miles Griffth, Victor Jones, Mel Davis, Kenny Davis, Ralph Bowen, Sean Jones, Peter Bernstein, Don Braden, Kyle Koehler, Radam Schwartz, David Lee Jones, James Gibbs III, Sophia Urista, Funktion 11, and Johnathan Blake. He has also played numerous jazz festivals including the Jazz n' Ribs Fest in Ohio and the Cape May Jazz Festival. Misha's musical outlook and cross-genre sensibility has brought him to performances for television networks such as The Showtime Network and TV2 in Norway.

As a member of the organ-jazz group, “Conspiracy For Positivity,” Misha can be heard frequently on New York and Philadelphia jazz stations. This group is lead by jazzorganist veteran Radam Schwartz and the group's albums have been ranked on national Jazz Times chart as #11. Misha also has a love for teaching and has taught at jazz workshops such as The Montclair Jazz Camp and OSPAC and is the Jazz guitar instructor at Rutgers University Extension Division.

In the summer of 2009, Misha was commissioned by the world renowned master of tabla Pandit Divyang Vakil to play at a music festival in his honor, taking place in India. Besides his sideman work, Misha performs with his trio titled- “Tonal Etiquette,” with his original music. He is looking forward to recording an album with this group to be released in 2012.