Developed in early 2010, Funk Evolution quickly became a Leading Club and Event Band in the Northeast Entertainment Scene.
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Meshing the classic Funk, Soul, Rock and R&B hits of the 70s-90s
with the freshest material from 2000-Today, Funk Evolution provides a fresh and unique blend of premium horn-fueled entertainment.
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Since day one, it has been Funk Evolution's continuous goal to Modernize the amazing horn-band classics of times past with a fresh and unrestrained energy while instilling a classic, powerhouse horn-band energy into the biggest hits of today!
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Funk Evolution's tremendous energy and unique style has afforded the group the opportunity to open the stage for some of the most incredible Funk/R&B bands of all time including the Legendary Average White Band and George Clinton's 'Parliament Funkadelic' (P-Funk).
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From The Jersey Shore to Philadelphia, PA; Long Island to Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse and their home-base in NY's Capital Region; Funk Evolution has drawn record setting crowds to their feet with their infectious grooves for more than a decade.
The Evolution of Funk Evolution
10.2.2010
Legendary Celtic-Rock band 'Hair of The Dog' warms up the stage for the Funk Evolution Premiere to a sold out audience of 1,700.
10.6.2012
Funk Evolution travels to a suburb of Philly, PA to open the stage for Average White band with a crowd of 40,000+.
6.27.2013
Funk Evolution opens for the Legendary George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic
11.18.2013
Funk Evolution receives sponsorship as 'The Official Party Band' of NY's Capital Region's leading radio stations; Fly 92.3 and B95.5
8.18.2014
Belvedere Vodka & Veuve Cliquot Sign Funk Evolution as Sponsored Brand Ambassador's for their products in the North-East US Region.
1.1.2015
Funk Evolution transitions to their first Female Lead vocalist; Tameka Amar.
4.1.2017
Funk Evolution welcomes Lead Vocalist Sabrina Gogan to our current lineup of musicians.
3.1.2021
Funk Evolution expands to add a 9th member, male vocalist Mike Bear. For the first time, Funk Evolution has both male and female co-lead vocalists.
THE BAND
Sabrina Gogan
'Sabbie'
Female Lead Vocalist
Sabrina joined the Funk Evolution team
in April of 2017.
Sabrina holds a BA in Theater and BS in Communications from UMass Amherst.
Sabbie performed in Walt Disney World until 2012 when she returned home to the Berkshires.
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Sabbie has opened for The Eli Young Band; Won The Berkshire Idol & WGNA Idol vocal competitions and is a Platinum Voice runner up.
Stephen Christman
'Rocco'
T. Sax, Emcee
The founding member of Funk Evolution Entertainment; 'Rocco' has been a continuous staple in the North East music scene for more than two decades.
Before starting Funk Evolution in 2010, Rocco performed 5 years with local mainstay's 'The Refrigerators'.
Rocco has had the honor of performing session gigs with Aretha Franklin, Liza Minnelli, The Trans Siberian Orchestra and Gospel legend, Kirk Franklin.
Rocco has also engineered for Chris Daughtry, Canaan Smith and Rita Ora.
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Mike McNair
'Mighty Mike Bear'
Male Lead Vocalist
Singer/Songwriter Mike 'Bear' McNair Mike is a classically trained Tenor who has performed with such exclusive groups as the Houghton College Choir, the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra.
WGNA 107.7 FM Country Idol Finalist (2010, 2011, and 2012), a two time Platinum Voice Semi-Finalist and the 2010 OH Bar Idol Winner.
Mike brings very unique vocal styling reflective of his musical influences; Stevie Wonder, Chris Cornel, DC Talk, Queen, Lenny Kravtitz and Little Band Town.
Scott Halliday
Justin Godlewski
Nick Palazeke
Trumpet
Scott has been a mainstay of the Capital Region music scene since 1992 working as a freelance trumpet player in a variety of our area's most acclaimed groups. Scott worked extensively with The Joey Thomas Big Band for more than twenty years and has performed with the Upstate Swing Band, The Swing Docs, Marlowe and Company, and the acclaimed Washington Park Playhouse Productions. Scott has also had the opportunity to work with both the Body & Soul Band and the legendary Motown group, The Temptations.
Scott holds a Master's Degree from The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and is the Music Department Chairman, Band Director and Teacher at Columbia High School in the East Greenbush Central School District.
Sax, Vocals
Another original member of Funk Evolution Entertainment; Justin returned to our lineup in 2019 following a short hiatus.
A continuous crowd favorite,
Justin's saxy blend of Smooth Jazz and R&B sax has become a mainstay of the uniquely dynamic style that is unarguably Funk Evolution.
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Justin holds a Masters in Music Education from The College of Saint Rose and is an educator in the Shenedehoa School District.
Drums
Nick is a Mohonasen Grad and holds an AAS degree from the SCCC School of Music. Nick studied with Ted MacKenzie and Andy Janack.
A long-time member of the absolutely epic Victory Soul Orchestra, Nick has performed an array of festivals and events across the region including opening for legendary artists Fishbone and Wyclef Jean. Nick has also performed extensively with Desafinado, Lost Drones, The Capital Region Wind Ensemble, Capital Rep, the Lone Wolf Recital Corps., and has recorded with Aaron Rhodes, Yeah Universe and VSO.
Nick has taught percussion for 8 years (currently in his private studio at the Guilderland Music Academy).
Nick's unique fusion of influences range from Neil Peart to Benny Greb and Stanton Moore.
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Justin Marotta
Ian Holmes
Chris Maloy
Bass Guitar
Bio Coming Soon
Keys/Vocals
Bio Coming Soon
Electric & Acoustic Guitar
Lead Guitarist Chris is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist who hails from Valatie, NY.
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Chris holds an Associates in Music Industry from SUNY SCCC and a Bachelor's in Music Industry from SUNY Oneonta (2013). When he's not performing with FE, Chris teaches guitar at the 'School of Rock' in Albany and is also the Lead Guitarist in the acclaimed original-rock band, Maloy.
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Chris' musical influences range from Rock, Blues, Metal, Funk & Country!
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