Funky Butt Jazz Band – 1 set – 4 pieces – created by Pete Campbell-cornet 30 plus years ago and now in the hands of his son Pierce/guitar/vocals, with Paul Boehmke-clarinet/sax, Tony Pasqualoni-bass and John Rispoli-drums, it’s trad jazz with a whole new almost folky sound and feel. Pierce’s vocal voicing has an interesting musky tone to it that draws the listeners attention. Backed by the quality of the local pro’s and the selections and keys selected made that one set a most memorable experience with the desire to hear more. Lauren Humpage
Funky Butt is a bit more modern than Traditional Jazz, nevertheless they had a fine choice of tunes and were a pleasure to hear. Pierce opened with I Can’t Give You Anything But Love (for his wife’s birthday), and Billie Holiday’s Come Rain or Come Shinewith Paul’s sophisticated alto sax, and dynamic drumming by Rispoli.
A perfect description of this whole weekend – Summertime, nice and warm.
The first time Pierce ever heard this tune was at his grandmother’s in St. Louis – where it gets REALLY HOT!
Driven by an intense, rambunctious drummer, they picked up the beat for a sizzling Dinah, then followed with a mellifluous Wonderful World.
Pierce introduced the next tunes – “In New Orleans, folks want to walk in the shade – not the Sunny Side of the Street.”
And what could 15¢ in N.O. get you? One Meat Ball.
Wish I Could Swing Like My Sister Kate, superb string bass solo.
A change of pace – St. Louis Blueswas the first blues Pierce heard, done by Sammy Rimmington.
Cute song, funky Ain’t She Sweet segued into Nancy.
One of his favorites, written in 1861, the Battle Hymn of the Republic“Glory Glory Halleluiah”.
Combining fine jazz, humor and history, Pierce and the Funky Butt Jazz Band are pure, unreserved entertainment.