Funky Frets

Smooth Jazz Standards and Soul Classics
Choose solo, duo, trio or 4 piece
‘A tasty player’ – Frank Sinatra’s guitarist Ron Anthony

Funky Frets, an accomplished Guitarist/Vocalist who performs a delightful mix of Jazz standards, Soul classics and Funk grooves, with an added hint of Reggae and Blues. Listen to the wonderful laid-back sounds from this performer with timeless appeal. Funky Frets Jazz Band can be booked as a solo, duo, trio or 4 piece.

Jazz Duo Merseyside | Funky Frets

From supporting Geno Washington, the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Northern Chamber Orchestra to touring the Jazz Festivals across the UK and performing at the legendary Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London, this artist and his talented performers have enjoyed a plethora of live performances in their careers.

Performing an exciting blend of music from the Great American Songbook including classics from Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, George Benson, Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock, Funky Frets are sure to engage your guests with their easy performance style and natural rapport with the audience.

Influenced by George Benson, Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau, and Bob Marley, his vocal style has a natural warmth, rhythmic flexibility and richness which has delighted audiences across the UK and beyond.

Expertise and Accolades

With Funky Frets not only being seasoned musicians but qualified in Jazz education at degree level, their musical talent is unmistakable. With accolades from the likes of Sinatra’s guitarist Ron Anthony (who describes guitarist Vernon as ‘a tasty player’), Funky Frets are sure to create the right atmosphere whether at a Champagne Reception, Gala Dinner or in a live performance venue setting.

Equally at home performing Jazz Show tunes and Standards alongside Bluesy and Latin numbers, their fusion of styles (and their own brand of funky soloing!) ensures their timeless appeal.

Lineup & Performance Info:

• Default lineup: All Line-ups include the Guitarist/Lead Vocals. Choose from: Solo Guitar, 2 x Guitars, Guitar/Keys, Guitar/Double Bass, Guitar/Saxophone
• Performance timings: 3 x 40 minute or 2 x 60 minute sets (as standard)
• This act accepts bookings across the UK and Internationally

Required by this act:

• Parking for their vehicle(s) at the venue
• Electricity supply
• 2m x 2m stage space (minimum)
• 60 mins for setup/soundcheck
• Changing room (ideally secure and private)
• Water/tea/coffee/soft drinks
• Hot meal/buffet may be required at some evening performances

Provided by this act as standard:

• PA system
• Pre-recorded background music during performance break(s)

Additional booking options:

• Add extra sets as required
• Daytime Performances? Champagne Receptions/Ceremonies/Wedding Breakfasts. Choose from solo guitar/duo/trio/quintet (instrumental or with vocals)
• Larger Band? Yes. Add extra musicians for a 3/4/5/6 piece

Funky Frets (Jazz Duo Merseyside) have an excellent, extensive repertoire. Choose from the following:

Jazz Favourites and Standards:

Billie Holiday – ‘Summertime’
Jamie Cullum – ‘You and the Night and the Music’
Ella Fitzgerald – ‘All the Things You Are’
Chet Baker – ‘My Funny Valentine’
Nat King Cole – ‘When I Fall in Love’
Frank Sinatra – ‘Almost Like Being in Love’
Astrud Gilberto – ‘Girl from Ipanema’
Michael Bublé – ‘Sway’
Diana Krall – ‘S’Wonderful’
Andy Williams – ‘More’
Nat King Cole – ‘Autumn Leaves’
Bobby Darin – ‘Beyond the Sea’
Jamie Cullum – ‘Old Devil Moon’
Billie Holiday – ‘God Bless the Child’
Frank Sinatra – ‘Come Fly With Me’
Ella Fitzgerald – ‘They Can’t Take That Away from Me’
Nat King Cole – ‘This Can’t Be Love’
Michael Bublé – ‘The Way You Look Tonight’
Dinah Washington – ‘What a Diff’rence a Day Made’
Frank Sinatra – ‘Blue Moon’
George Gershwin – ‘I Got Rhythm’
Andy Williams – ‘Moon River’
Frank Sinatra – ‘Falling in Love With Love’
Nat King Cole – ‘Nature Boy’
Frank Sinatra – ‘Night & Day’
Barbara Streisand – ‘On a Clear Day’
Duke Ellington – ‘Satin Doll’
Frank Sinatra – ‘A Day in the Life of a Fool’
Billie Holiday – ‘All of Me’
Frank Sinatra – ‘The Song is You’
Billie Holiday – ‘A Foggy Day’
Nancy Sinatra – ‘Call Me’
Billie Holiday – ‘Good Morning Heartache’
Frank Sinatra – ‘Fly Me to the Moon’
Ella Fitzgerald – ‘It’s All Right with Me’
Doris Day – ‘Secret Love’
Frank Sinatra – ‘Taking a Chance on Love’
Peggy Lee – ‘Where or When’

Smooth and Mellow:

John Legend – ‘Ordinary People’
The Beatles – ‘And I Love Her’
Earth, Wind & Fire – ‘After the Love Has Gone’
The Temptations – ‘My Girl’
Al Green – ‘Let’s Stay Together’
Bill Withers – ‘Lean On Me’
Stevie Wonder – ‘You Are The Sunshine Of My Life’
Andy Williams – ‘Can’t Take My Eyes off of You’
Bill Withers – ‘Just The Two Of Us’
The Mama’s & The Papas – ‘California Dreaming’
Roberta Flack – ‘Feel Like Making Love’
Dusty Springfield – ‘The Look of Love”
The Righteous Brothers – ‘Unchained Melody’
Johnny Nash – ‘I Can See Clearly Now
The Temptations – ‘Just My Imagination’
Heatwave – ‘Always and Forever’
George Benson – ‘This Masquerade’
Bobby Hebb – ‘Sunny’
Tony Bennett – ‘A Taste of Honey’
The Isley Brothers – ‘Harvest For the World’
Minnie Ripperton – ‘Loving You’
Lionel Ritchie – ‘Hello’
Bill Withers – ‘Lovely Day’
Stevie Wonder – ‘My Cherie Amour’
Nina Simone – ‘To Love Somebody’
Billy Joel – ‘I Love You Just the Way You Are’
Earth, Wind & Fire – ‘Make it With You’
Bill Withers – ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’
Rose Royce – ‘Love Don’t Live Here Anymore’
Rose Royce – ‘Wishing on a Star’
The Little Rascals – ‘Groovin’ (On a Sunday Afternoon)’
Stevie Wonder – ‘Knocks Me Off My Feet’

Funky Numbers:

Pharell Williams – ‘Happy’
Stevie Wonder – ‘Superstition’
The Beatles – ‘Got To Get You Into My Life’ (Earth, Wind & Fire version)
Stevie Wonder – ‘Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing’
George Benson – ‘Give Me The Night’
Earth, Wind & Fire – ‘Boogie Wonderland’
Earth, Wind & Fire – ‘Let’s Groove Tonight’
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes – ‘The Love I Lost’
Stevie Wonder – ‘As If You Read My Mind’
The Jackson 5 – ‘Never Can Say Goodbye’
Earth, Wind & Fire – ‘That’s the Way of the World’
Stevie Wonder – ‘All I Do’
Junior Walker – ‘What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)’
The Spinners – ‘It’s a Shame’
Stevie Wonder – ‘Another Star (For You)’
George Benson – ‘On Broadway’

Soul Hits:

Wilson Pickett – ‘In the Midnight Hour’
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas – ‘Dancing in the Street’
Otis Redding – ‘Sitting on the Dock of the Bay’
Marvin Gaye – ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’
The Jackson 5 – ‘I’ll Be There’
Marvin Gaye – ‘What’s Going On?’
Curtis Mayfield – ‘People Get Ready’
Stevie Wonder – ‘Creepin’’
Marvin Gaye – ‘I Heard it Through The Grapevine’
The Stylistics – ‘Betcha By Golly, Wow’
The Stylistics – ‘You Make Me Feel Brand New’
George Benson – ‘Everything Must Change’
Stevie Wonder – ‘Did I Hear You Say You Love me?’
George Benson – ‘Love Ballad’
Stevie Wonder – ‘Lately’
The Stylistics – ‘Stop, Look, Listen to Your Heart’
Sade – ‘Why Can’t We Live Together’
Blues, Easy Listening and Reggae:
Ray Charles – ‘Georgia On My Mind’
Carole King – ‘You’ve Got A Friend’
Bob Marley – ‘No Woman No Cry’
James Taylor – ‘Don’t Let Me Be Lonely’
Bob Marley – ‘Bend Down Low’
The Isley Brothers – ‘For The Love of You’
Bob Marley – ‘Get Up, Stand Up’
Billy Preston & Syreeta Wright – ‘With You I’m Born Again’
Bob Marley – ‘I Shot the Sheriff’
Ray Charles – ‘You Don’t Know Me’
Bob Marley – ‘Redemption Song’
Bing Crosby – ‘Blue Skies’
Bob Marley – ‘Waiting in Vain’

Christmas Songs:

Bing Crosby – ‘White Christmas’
Judy Garland/Frank Sinatra – ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’
‘Silent Night’ – (Christmas Carol)
‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer’

This Jazz Duo Merseyside can perform a wide range of hits- please ask if your favourite is not already on their repertoire.