Funkifize
Funkifize originally began life in the summer of 2001 with the goal being to create a top quality professional band playing classic soul, funk and disco tunes. The band started out playing the legendary soul and blues songs covered by The Commitments and The Blues Brothers, but soon built upon this solid foundation by adding a whole host of other lively soul and funk classics. The band further complemented their song list with a number of '70s disco and '80s/'90s pop-rock favourites, thus ensuring that everyone's musical taste is catered for in their fantastic stage show.
Their first few gigs were huge successes, filling popular London venues to full capacity on more than one occasion. Private functions were just as much of a success, with the line "You're the best band we've ever heard! Can we have your card?" or similar, being heard at every event! The ever-increasing popularity of the band attracted the attention of some of London's top musicians, all wanting to join the band, and the line-up of the band slowly evolved into the amazing team that you see today.
Funkifize now comprises some of London's top soul, funk and jazz musicians, who have performed extensively throughout the UK and Europe and have years of experience on the professional music scene. All of the current members have a background in either London West End shows, The Guildhall School of Music, or the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, so they really are the finest musicians of their generation! Credits of the Funkifize musicians include performances with The Blues Brothers, The Commitments, Odyssey, Lionel Ritchie, Katie Melua & Donny Osmond, plus West End shows including Les Miserables, Grease, Fame and The Lion King to name but a few. A definite source for stars of the future!
Sample Repertoire
Disco
Blame It On The Boogie (The Jacksons)
Boogie Wonderland (Earth, Wind & Fire)
Can You Feel It (The Jacksons)
Car Wash (Rose Royce)
Disco Inferno (The Trammps)
Good Times (Chic)
I Want You Back (The Jacksons)
Jive Talkin' (The Bee Gees)
Lady Marmalade (LaBelle)
Le Freak (Chic)
September (Earth, Wind & Fire)
Working Day And Night (Michael Jackson)
Funk
Cosmic Girl (Jamiroquai)
Get Yo' Feet Back On The Ground (Tower Of Power)
Gimme Some More (The JBs)
Gonna Fly Now (Maynard Ferguson)
Higher Ground (Stevie Wonder)
I Got You (James Brown)
I Wish (Stevie Wonder)
Papa's Got A Brand New Bag (James Brown)
Pick Up The Pieces (The Average White Band)
Play That Funky Music (Wild Cherry)
Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder)
Superstition (Stevie Wonder)
Theme From Starsky & Hutch (JTQ)
What Is Hip? (Tower Of Power)
You Got To Funkifize (Tower Of Power)
Soul
Hard To Handle (Otis Redding)
In The Midnight Hour (Wilson Pickett)
Love The One You're With (Aretha Franklin)
Move On Up (Curtis Mayfield)
Mustang Sally (Wilson Pickett)
Respect (Aretha Franklin)
Rock Steady (Aretha Franklin)
Shake A Tail Feather (Ray Charles)
Signed, Sealed, Delivered (Stevie Wonder)
Son Of A Preacher Man (Dusty Springfield)
Soul Man (Sam & Dave)
Soul With A Capital 'S' (Tower Of Power)
Street Life (The Crusaders feat. Randy Crawford)
Take Me To The River (Al Green)
The House That Jack Built (Aretha Franklin)
Pop
Ain't Nobody (Rufus & Chaka Khan)
Beat It (Michael Jackson)
Billie Jean (Michael Jackson)
Groove Is In The Heart (Deee-Lite)
Hip To Be Square (Huey Lewis & The News)
Smooth Criminal (Michael Jackson)
Thriller (Michael Jackson)
Turn On, Tune In, Cop Out (Freak Power)
Word Up (Cameo)
Jazz
All Of Me (Simone / Marks)
All The Things You Are (Hammerstein / Kern)
Beyond The Sea (Bobby Darin)
But Not For Me (George Gershwin)
Canít Take My Eyes Off You (Andy Williams)
Cheek to Cheek (Irving Berlin)
Come Fly With Me (Frank Sinatra)
Donít Get Around Much Anymore (Duke Ellington)
Embraceable You (Bing Crosby)
Fly Me To The Moon (Frank Sinatra)
I Get A Kick Out Of You (Frank Sinatra)
I Got Rhythm (George Gershwin)
Iíve Got You Under My Skin (Frank Sinatra)
It Had To Be You (Harry Connick Jr)
Let There Be Love (Nat King Cole)
Mad About A Boy (Dinah Washington)
Minnie The Moocher (Cab Calloway)
My Baby Just Cares For Me (Nina Simone)
New York, New York (Frank Sinatra)
Old Devil Moon (Lane / Harburg)
Our Love Is Here To Stay (Ella & Louis)
Recipe For Love (Harry Connick Jr)
Stomping At The Savoy (Ella Fitzgerald)
Summertime (Nina Simone)
The Way You Look Tonight (Frank Sinatra)
First Dances
A Groovy Kind Of Love (Phil Collins)
Baby I'm A Want You (Bread)
By Your Side (Sade)
Call Off The Search (Katie Melua)
Can't Take My Eyes Off You (Andy Williams)
Cheek To Cheek (Irving Berlin)
Have I Told You Lately (Van Morrison)
I Knew I Loved You (Savage Garden)
Just The Two Of Us (Bill Withers)
Let There Be Love (Nat King Cole)
Let's Stay Together (Al Green)
Nobody Does It Better (Carly Simon)
Stand By Me (Ben E. King)
Sunshine (Gabrielle)
The Way You Look Tonight (Frank Sinatra)
When A Man Loves A Woman (Percy Sledge)
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life (Stevie Wonder)
You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You (Dean Martin)
Testimonials
"The band was great! The broad range of music you played was exactly what we wanted for our event, and certainly got the audience on the dancefloor. Thanks ever so much for your support! "
Sarah McDougall, Microsoft
"THANKYOU SO MUCH for a really fantastic night! Everyone was so impressed by the sound you made and the wide variety of music you played. I think you have a few new fans! You even got my Grandma up on the dance floor so you're obviously doing it right! You guys are just the best! ... PS. Have put a bit extra on your cheque for a few beers - you deserve it!"
Claire & David, Bride & Groom
"A huge thank you for playing at our wedding. We and everyone else we have spoken to thought you were brilliant. I hope you all enjoyed yourself as much as possible and our best wishes to the future success of the band."
Cecilia & Ed, Bride & Groom
"Just wanted to say a huge thank you for the fantastic show you all put on for us. It topped off a perfect day! We'd been really impressed by the band at the other weddings we'd heard you at and I'm glad to say ours was no exception!"
Katie & Matthew, Bride & Groom
"Thank you once again for your excellent performance at our wedding! You guys were brilliant and not only did Marc and I love every minute of your performance but many of our guests also commented on how excellent you were!"
Svenja & Marc, Bride & Groom
"Thanks for being patient and working with us on the timings for the evening. The band was amazing and everyone had a great time. We needed a bigger dance floor! it's a shame that the hotel had to close!"
G. Lloyd, Halifax Plc
Just wanted to let you guys know what a fantastic band Funkifize are. Our wedding Saturday night was absolutely rocking!! Everyone was on the dance floor and we have had loads of praise from our guests about them. Think they have a few more functions on their hands now!!!
Many thanks again.
Lisa and Mark Silsby, Bride & Groom
