|
|
||||
|
For the past 18 years 24 Karat Funk has been delivering their dynamic style of music in and |
|
Born in Boston, Massachusetts "Richie Rich" is a homegrown singer, songwriter, and entertainer who has been in the entertainment business for over thirty-five years. He was introduced to the soulful sounds of Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and many of the Gospel, Funk, and R&B legends that graced the radio and turntables during the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's & 90's. At the age of 11 he attended the New England Conservatory of music studying Piano. Richie says "Meeting Duke Ellington, when I was thirteen years old and getting the opportunity to tell him about my love for music and singing was a golden moment for me. Mr. Ellington told me not to let anyone ever talk me out of my dreams." During the 1970's he started his first band "Osimuim", named after the first 1966 Parliament album. Looking to grow musically he got together with other musicians and formed "The Flight Of The New Born" playing music with the likes of Stanley Clark, Chick Corea and Quincy Jones. Funk, being the premier sound during the 70's lead him to a profound thirty year friendship with the "Funk Master" George Clinton, who has been inducted into the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame. One of Richie's many prized moments was performing on stage with George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars at The Apollo Theatre's 75th Anniversary in 2003. Then again a brief tour in Paris & Israel in September of 2004 brought him together again with George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars. A special time for Richie was performing on tour with the late Rick James in 1983 at the Reggae Sunsplash in Montego Bay, Jamaica, then again over the next 5 years touring, Washington, D.C., Germany, New York, & the Hartford Civic Center in Connecticut. All of these musical experiences lead Richie to start his current band Richie "Rich" & 24 Karat Funk, which has been together for the past 18 years. Collectively, the band hits the stage delivering their own original material and covering the best in Funk, R&B, Reggae, Jazz, Rock & Top 40.
For the
past 4 years Richie and his band Richie "Rich" & 24 Karat Funk have been
playing at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut. Other appearances have been
at, Twin Rivers Casino, Rhode Island, Saratoga Springs Racetrack &
Casino, New York and many New England Nightclubs. The Band has just
completed their 1st CD. With a positive response from this CD the band
is getting ready to go back into the studio in 2009 to start another CD.
|
|
|
Steve "Stevo" Thorpe
|
Born in Boston, Massachusetts (under the sign of Capricorn) "Stevo", or "the man with four hands" is the bands keyboard/bass player (hence the man with four hands). If you don't listen carefully you are liable to hear any sound coming from his side of the stage. Between 1983 and 1990 "Stevo" played with the Jonzun Crew (the songs Pac-Jam and Space Cowboy made the Billboard list) and then when he met Richie Rich there was instant musical chemistry. He has been with 24kt Funk ever since. "Stevo" has also worked with and toured along side of famous acts like New Edition, The System, Lakeside, Grand Master Flash & The Furious Five and the Blue Notes. "Stevo" says he was inspired by Prince, James Brown and Sly & The Family Stone. Favorite Color: Blue |
Michael Reid
His natural ability is evident and his style of play is a combination of this natural talent and 'know-how'. Michael can make you jump out of your seat with his Funk and R&B riffs or make you swoon with his smooth/contemporary Jazz playing. Either way it goes we know that once you hear Michael play you'll agree that he is one of if not 'THE' best drummers you will ever have the honor to experience.
Jeff McAuliffe
Jeff was born and raised in New Orleans, the "Birthplace
of Jazz and the Home of the Blues." From a very
early age he became fascinated with music, and his earliest memories
include peering into jazz clubs as his
parents would take him for walks through the French Quarter. Jeff played
professionally in Nashville after
finishing High School, but returned to New Orleans to study at the
University of New Orleans under jazz great,
Ellis Marsalis. He immersed himself into the local music scene and
played funk, jazz, blues and rock in clubs
like Tipitina's, the Maple Leaf and the Howlin' Wolf with players such
as Russell Batiste, Johnny Vidagovich
and Ed Petersen. In the meantime he applied for a scholarship from Berklee College of Music. Jeff won the
Best Entering Student Talent scholarship, and completed his studies
graduating with honors in 2005. Since
graduation, Jeff has worked as a full-time musician and teacher, playing
clubs like The Paradise, Ryles Jazz
Club and Harper's Ferry in Boston; and The Knitting Factory, Mercury
Lounge and the Living Room in
New York City.
Wayne Jones
Wayne began studying music as a child and learned
clarinet, violin, and alto sax and played each in school ensembles.
He later studied bass and guitar privately with some talented
instructors including Kevin Eubanks of the Tonight Show band. He
eventually earned a music degree from U. Mass Boston and Masters in
Education from Lesley College. He has worked with many local bands
over the past 30 years and has performed with the Walter Beasley Band,
Freda Battle, Yolanda Adams, Smokie, Clarence Powell, Backstreet Boys,
Andre Ward, Patti Austin, and Keiko Matsui to name a few. Wayne sees
performing as quite and experience and is grateful that he he is able to
do so as time goes on. "The one thing I have learned in this business is
that it is not about me, but the relationship between the whole band and
the audience. Without that magical connection there is no point to
music".