The Funky Butt Jazz Band
The Funky Butt Jazz Band - Happy Music for Happy People!
In the fall of 2004, the leadership of The Funky Butt Jazz Band was passed on to the next generation as original co- leader and cornetist, “Pete” Campbell retired from the band after 32 years. Pete’s son, Pierce Campbell, and Tony Pasqualoni, the band’s longtime bassist, have joined together to orchestrate the FBJB‘s future. With Pierce on banjo and vocals and Tony on bass, the new rhythm section provides a fiery backdrop for the band’s front line of trumpet, clarinet, sax and trombone. Together they reinforce the FBJB’s commitment to the traditions of America’s original music, Dixieland Jazz, New Orleans style!
Named after a famous New Orleans dance hall, the FBJB was born on July 14th, 1973, when Pete Campbell gathered musicians at his house to play traditional jazz under the general sponsorship of the Connecticut Traditional Jazz Club, Inc. At that time, the Connecticut Traditional Jazz Club promoted Dixieland by bringing bands to Connecticut from New Orleans for their concert series. Musicians would stay at the Campbell’s house while performing and impromptu jam sessions were the order of the day on Saturdays and Sundays. It was during this time that Pierce was exposed to many of the living legends of New Orleans Jazz.
Today, Pierce and Tony have a musical relationship that has spanned 20 years and many musical styles. Combining their talents in the FBJB is a natural culmination of their vast playing experience and the love of jazz that they have shared over the years.
In the years the FBJB has been reacquainting Connecticut’s audiences with the syncopated pleasures of traditional jazz, they’ve earned a reputation for generating the excitement and enthusiasm that is guaranteed to liven up class reunions, political rallies, wedding parties, boat cruises, club dances, company outings or any other function. While the usual FBJB has 5-6 members, we have a outstanding band for all budgets.
Invite The Funky Butt Jazz Band to your next reception, rally or reunion and….. have a ball!
Satisfied customers…since it’s formation, The Funky Butt Jazz Band has played for a great number and variety of organizations…several times in many cases. Here’s a partial listing:
Yale University
The Arts Council Of New Haven
The Patrons of the New Haven Public Library
The Red Cross
Deep River Navigation
Booth Library, Newtown
University of Connecticut
Teikyo Post University
Woodstock Fair
Canterbury School
Mattatuck Museum
Taft School
Drexel, Burnham, Lambert
Connecticut Electric Association
The Waterbury Club
Westminster School
Northeast Utilities
St Paul’s Fair, Woodbury
Celebrate! West Hartford
Chrysler Corporation TV ad
Parke Davis Inc.
Trinity College
Cheshire Library
Park & Rec Departments in Granby, Litchfield, Woodbury, Roxbury, Southbury, Redding, Seymour
Connecticut National Bank
Graduate Club Assoc. NH
United Way of the Central Naugatuck Valley
Industrial Riggers Inc.
Riverfront Recapture, Hartford