About Us
BluePhunk are a 9-piece funk outfit with singer, brass section and top quality rhythm section. Our influences include the Crusaders, Tower of Power, Maceo Parker, Nils Landgren and many others. See our gigs/set list page if you want to know the type of thing we play.
Meanwhile, here's a little introduction to each of the band members:
Dave Daniels, bass & leader. Looks like his Fender - battered and abused. Musicially dates back to Badlands and Best Friends in York for those of a similar vintage. Spent some years in London kicking around various bands. Returning to York did stints with Blues Bug, LTK and the Barhops and Rocking Goose Horns before retiring in a sulk for 10 years. Prised out of retirement with Rocket 3 and various abortive ventures. Returned to soul/funk roots with Funkate in 2005 and then formed Bluephunk.
Andy Spofforth, drums. London born, but is now a token Yorkshireman. Playing since the age of 12 in many long forgotton bands but notably The Lost Boys in London and Best Friends with Bluephunkers Pete and Dave. Fond of thumping a vintage drum or two, Andy likes it LOUD and FUNKY!
Eve Spofforth, vocals & percussion Influenced by various musical styles and eras. Brought up in a musical family (see above!), Eve has been singing all her life and is also handy on the piano which she's been playing for 7 years. Still prefers singing though...
Dan Clarkson, keys. York born and bred. Dan's been playing keyboards and performing for a few years now in the region - mainly jazz, but is finding a penchant for cooking funk. Loves the sound of Rhodes in the morning, influences include Herbie Hancock, Brad Mehldau and Joe Sample, amongst others.
Pete James, Guitar. How many guitarists does it take to change a lightbulb? Freddie King, Peter Green, Gary Moore, Jimi Hendrix - we could n't fit them all onstage at once, but Pete does an admirable job of drawing on their inspirational soloing styles, along with the funky rhythm playing of Steve Cropper, Tower Of Power, Motown, James Brown and Chic, skillfully mixin' it all together into a soulful bluephunk. Experienced, versatile, mature, cheap - ah yes, we'll have him!.
Adam Laird, tenor sax. originally from Dover, Adam moved to York to study music and has stayed to fulfil his passion of music and teaching. Adam works hard for the arts service of york giving musical opportunities to the school children of York (teaching woodwind, leading ensembles etc) and works all day everyday playing and preparing music. He also likes turkish delight and whitbread best bitter!!
Russell Henderson , alto sax. This Scotsman practices seven hours a day ,speaks seven languages, and in his spare time runs a well know chain of Casino's. He's a bad man. Russell Henderson. He's a bad man.
Phil Prosser, trombone. Born at an early age, into a musical family Phil settled on the trombone. He gigged regularly in Dorest and Cardiff until he got a proper job in 1991. In his time, Phil has been a gardener, handyman, brewery quality controller (!) nurseryman, van driver and wildlife biologist. Phil prefers American Trombones and owns two and a half of them.
Rich Hardy, trumpet. Rich is well into his Jazz but plays all styles. Is a Chartered Surveyor professionally, but don't hold that against him. Likes his cars to be like his women: big, black, an with an American V6 engine.
© 2009 BluePhunk| design by Dan Clarkson