Kris Funn's Unique Take

[Sam Sherry]

Kenny Garrett played next town over last Friday and I watched a pretty kickin' show. The band was Don't Call Me Kenny G on alto and soprano, Carlos McKinney playing keys, Ronald Bruner on drums -- Ronald Bruner on drums! -- Ronald! Bruner! On! Drums! -- RONALD BRUNER ON DRUMS -- and Kris Funn performing on the double bass.

Kris played solid, musical, creative stuff and made it work all night long. His ability to play tough stuff right in tune on a borrowed bass seriously impressed. This band can definitely get into 'bring it' territory, too. Kris brought it every time it was time to do that.

The main reason I'm taking up your time is to draw your attention to Kris' website. 'Fess up: You wonder what it would be like to be in your mid-20s, single and touring the world with a major-league jazz act, don't you? Well, add to that Kris' intellegence, his deep jazz roots, his desire to live thoughtfully, his dead-on scope on drummers and his perspective as a young Black man and you peek on the site's appeal. Checkit.

PS: FWIW Kris posts on here occasionally but it's not for me to out him -- he ain't spoke up yet and it's his prerogative. Just one more example of, "Speak nicely because you never know who's listening."

[willgroove2]

I saw that group a few years ago in Chicago and enjoyed Kris's playing,ronald bruner jr can play but....i felt that dynamically he was a little over the top.this was a while ago so maybe he's adjusted his approach and to be fair kenny was vibe'n off what he was doing and he's the boss so there you go.

[stockbass]

Check out his stories from the road. I've just read some hilarious stories about Mingus (see Finland). Well written and very funny!

[willgroove2]

yeah i did check out his stories and i think it's safe to say he doesnt dig the drummer much

[Bruce Lindfield]

Hmmm... I suppose if my real name was Kris Funn (!) then I might well use a pseudonym on forums like this!!

[Marc Decho]

[quote=Sam Sherry]Kenny Garrett played next town over last Friday and I watched a pretty kickin' show. The band was Don't Call Me Kenny G on alto and soprano, Carlos McKinney playing keys, Ronald Bruner on drums -- Ronald Bruner on drums! -- Ronald! Bruner! On! Drums! -- RONALD BRUNER ON DRUMS -- and Kris Funn performing on the double bass.

Hey Sam, thanks for the link, this guy is hilarious, sounds exactly like my drummer no joke!, dude plays loud, fast and has this metal approach to playing jazz, hardly listens to jazz at all but loves his friggin' metal, ....the Mingus stories had me on the floor laughing!

[Justin K-ski]

I saw Kris with Kenny Garrett last year at Rutgers but they had Jeff "tain" Watts along. They where awesome. I got to chat with Kris for a few minutes after the show, he a real cool chops and head over gear kinda guy.