Syracuse in focus (SIF)

Gregory Collins: The Mr. Please, Please, Please of the local Funk Scene

We wish you knew what it was like to experience something this funky. We’re not talking uptown, but strictly some downtown, alleyway, outside of Armory Square, dumpster funk. Emanuel “never miss a beat” Washington organized “Doin It to Death,” a tribute to James Brown and the show had people nearly climbing the walls inside Funk-n-Waffles (downtown) on Thursday. We don’t know if the band (including a killer horn section) rehearsed or had a previous gig, but on this night the force (of funk) was with them indeed. The only thing that would have made this a better outing is if they had been scheduled during the NCAA Regional Finals weekend.

Making short cameo appearances during the two-hour plus show were Washington’s band mates from Sophistafunk, Adam Gold and Jack Brown.

Mike Spadaro: All about the bass

E. Washington, drummer, and a crowd jammin’ on the one.

The multi-generational crowd also roared when Washington announced that he would be putting together a Beastie Boys Tribute in June.

This was a first show at the new Funk-n-Waffles location and the place definitely has the potential to make some noise on the Downtown music scene.

The tight horn section was a Fields sandwich (Dan on trumpet and Nick on tenor sax) punctuated by the  book ends of  Melissa Gardiner (trombone) and 17-year old Dunham Hall (alto sax).