Photo: PTF from the 2015 Rochester Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Eastman Theatre, credit: Patti Battista
Prime Time Funk celebrates 23rd anniversary May 11 at Lovin’ Cup
Rochester, NY (March 27, 2019) – Rochester’s premier horn band Prime Time Funk has been the official house band of the Rochester Music Hall of Fame annual awards ceremony in Kodak at Eastman Theatre since RMHF’s first induction show in 2012. During those past seven events, PTF has played with a mind-boggling assortment of artists* including most of last year’s inductees: percussionist, composer, and teacher John Beck; Rochester’s sacred steel masters The Campbell Brothers; superstar drummer Steve Gadd; world-renowned bassist Tony Levin; and Rochester music man Ferdinand Jay Smith III.
This year, the inductees are: Jack Allocco, 11-time Emmy Award-winning composer and producer; Al Jardine, founding member, guitarist and vocalist for the Beach Boys; folk singer Christine Lavin; Jeff Springut, music promoter and owner of legendary music venue, Red Creek; and WCMF-FM 96.5, classic rock radio station celebrating its 50th anniversary. A Special Merit Award will go to Dave Kane, longtime WCMF radio personality.
PTF will accompany musician Gary Wright on Allocco’s arrangements of his 70’s hits “Dream Weaver” and “Love is Alive.” The band will also perform hits of the Beach Boys with Al Jardine, as well as accompanying Orleans’ lead singer/guitarist John Hall in honoring Jeff Springut. Guided by PTF co-founder and RMHF Music Director James Richmond, the band is already preparing for this year’s ceremony on Sunday, April 28 at 7 p.m.
Just two weeks later, Prime Time Funk will celebrate its 23rd anniversary on Saturday, May 11 at 8 PM at Lovin’ Cup Bistro & Brews (300 Park Point Drive, 14623). Head to the Roots with Anthony Siciliano will open the show; admission is $15 at the door.
*Previous RMHF inductees and guest artists with whom PTF has played: pianist Paul Shaffer; vibraphonist Joe Locke; Blood, Sweat & Tears singer David Clayton Thomas; Felix Cavaliere and Gene Cornish of The Rascals; Kathy Sledge (Sister Sledge); drummer Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart, etc.); singer/songwriter Bat McGrath; Sesame Street’s Bob McGrath; guitarist Randy Bachman (The Guess Who, Bachman–Turner Overdrive); guitarist Pat Travers; James Brown musicians Pee Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, and Christian McBride; The Cowsills; and singers Florence LaRue (Fifth Dimension), Russell Thompkins, Jr. (The Stylistics) and Reggie Torian (The Impressions).
More about Prime Time Funk: Formed in 1996, PTF is a 10-piece powerhouse of passionate musicians from Western NY who write, arrange and perform a world-class combination of funk, jazz, and R&B that’s hard to categorize but easy to feel. Along with co-founder/sax-player James Richmond, the band includes vocalist Ronnie Leigh, drummer David Cohen, saxophonist Vince Ercolamento, guitarist Joe Chiappone, Andy Calabrese on keyboards, bass player Ron France, Mike Edwards on baritone sax, and trumpeters Ron D’Angelo and Derrick Lipp. In its 23 years, PTF has performed with some of the world’s most respected acts at regional, national and international venues. PTF’s debut CD, Ready and Willing, was co-produced by Grammy® Award-winning producer and RPO Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik. Its self-produced follow-up CD, Hear and Now, is a tribute to the band’s co-founder and original bass player, Ralph Ortiz. PTF is the official house band of the Rochester Music Hall of Fame annual awards ceremonies at Eastman Theatre. Find out more at www.primetimefunk.com.
Media please note: High-resolution photos of the band are available at primetimefunk.com/press, and interviews and photo/footage opportunities can be arranged.
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