MadBrass, the SoundSport ensemble of Forward Performing Arts and the Madison Scouts, is pleased to announce their 2017 show titled The Funky Drummer, a tribute to Clyde Stubblefield. Clyde was a mainstay drummer of the Madison, WI music scene having located there in the early 70s. Clyde is best known as the primary drummer for James Brown whereas his drum patterns on Brown’s recording are oft-considered the standards for funk drumming. Many of those same funk patterns are widely sampled and used as the rhythmic foundation for many of today’s hip-hop tunes. Sadly, Clyde passed away earlier this year, leaving an incredible legacy to drumming and the Madison music community.

The production will include the following pieces that are either written by, performed by, or feature samples by Clyde Stubblefield.

The Original – Clyde Stubblefield
Bring the Funk on Down – The J.B.’s
Sitting on the Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding
Can’t Stop the Feeling – Justin Timberlake

“We are excited for our inaugural production,” said MadBrass Director Dann Petersen. “The show will be fun for the fans and exciting to perform. We have assembled a great team of educators to help teach the group and prepare them for the five summer performances.”

The staff includes:

Joey Banks – Professional drummer and director of Black Star drumline. Joey plays in several groups including the Clyde Stubblefield All-Star Band.
Jon Schipper – Music Department Chair at Madison Country Day School and professional trumpet player with the funk band Phat Phunktion.
Clay Wachholz – lifelong music educator and clinician.
Sean Phelan – Masters Candidate at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Sean is the music arranger.
Tez Smith – Trumpet extraordinaire with the British funk band The Extractors and brass caption head of the Kidsgrove Scouts.

The MadBrass SoundSport team will focus on skills and performance development for members ages 15-20 and will be utilizing many of the same staff members who are teaching the Madison Scouts. It will be a co-ed ensemble that will develop a 7-minute show that will be produced in a time-efficient rehearsal process. The first rehearsal will be Saturday, April 22nd at Waunakee High School in Waunakee, WI.

MadBrass will first perform at The Whitewater Classic on Saturday, June 24th with subsequent Wisconsin performances in Cedarburg (7/3), Wausau (7/6), and Madison (7/9). The SoundSport team will conclude its season by attending the DCI World Championships in Indianapolis from August 10-12, staying with the Madison Scouts, performing exhibitions, and competing at the SoundSport International Music & Food Festival.

To learn more, visit www.MadBrass.org

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