http://plunkyone.com/news.html PLUNKY & ONENESS: News & Journals Jannis' PHPRss class - http://www.jannis.to/ Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:08:12 -0700 http://plunkyone.com/news.html#18
Day 1. 8:00 PM Saturday evening, October 10, 2009 aboard the Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas for the Capital Jazz Super Cruise in my state room.

I have just returned to my room to rest a bit after seeing Jonathan Butler’s solo guitar performance where he was joined by trumpeter Rick Braun for singular duo concert in the atrium of the grand ocean liner with the sunlight filtering from above and the Chesapeake Bay streaming pass the glass walls. People were hanging over the railings five floors up, lounging about, taking pictures and taking it all in. I felt blessed and happy to be there to witness the scene. I realized I am finally underway and this is what it will be all about: participating in a wonderful relaxing happening, filled with music, scenic views and camaraderie. The audience already feels like family, knowing we are bonded in our love for music, culture and each other. I feel it. And I can feel that they feel it too. That’s why most have paid around $2,000 to come on aboard and spend this week sailing from Baltimore to the Bahamas and Key West, Florida; to listen, party and be baptized in the company of world class jazz and soul.

It seems like these last few days leading up to this have taken forever. They have been filled with preparation and the expenditure of energy making music and madness. We performed at the Martini Kitchen last night (Friday) for our bon voyage party. The club was packed with beautiful hometown people, most of who had come for their own reasons to celebrate. We jammed long and hard, sweating out the hits and making the room pulsate to the rhythms of the night.

We played until 1:30 AM, our usual ending time, but that seemed a really late hour considering we were to gather at my house at 6:30 AM to load up and drive to Baltimore. By the time I got home at 2:15 and puttered around, wound down and got to bed at 3:00
AM, I had only less than three hours of closed eyes rest before making the wake up calls to the band and doing that final bit of packing. Of course, I had way too much stuff to bring and manage: three saxophones, video camera, digital recorder, 200 CD’s, clothes, tennis racket, laptop, six musicians, their guests, five vehicles, boarding passes, passports, directions, headaches, worries and staying positive in the face of fatigue.

Before going to play the gig at the club last night I spent a couple of hours assembling CD box sets and shrink wrapping them to have them for sale on the cruise. At that time I lamented having even scheduled the club date on the night before the cruise. But in the end or the beginning, it had all worked out. We drove in our caravan at speeds of 80 — 90 mph up I-95 North, made it on time, got everything loaded in at the port and settled in on the ship along with the other musicians and tech people all before the noon arrival of the paying customers.

Now I am getting ready to go have a 9:00 PM sound check poolside on the top deck of the ship. We perform at noon tomorrow (Sunday) but since we are the first act in that setting, both we and the sound crew want to take advantage to the opportunity to tweak the system and get things right for our show.

12:47 AM Back in my stateroom
Tired as I don’t know what! At 9:00 PM we went up to poolside for our sound check. The sound system, the engineer and the whole tech crew is first rate and the equipment is state of the art. We worked on getting the mixes just right and had a mini rehearsal for about an hour. I think the sound was incredibly good, ringing out over the bay in the black of night. We drew a small crowd out to the pool to party to our sound check. I think it will be a hot show tomorrow. I think everybody in the band was satisfied and our crew of Jay, Jon and Al were on the case and happy to be along.

I came back to the room, changed clothes and went to see Najee in concert. He is a very special saxophonist who knows his music, plays modern changes and writes very smooth melodic compositions. I always enjoy listening to him. He was backed by Spur of the Moment band, instead of his regular touring group. Spur is an outstanding group who has lots of experience being a pro backup band. They nailed Najee’s music, but the show lacked pacing and the tightness that comes from the comfort and nuances of a working unit. But the show did have its high points though. One was when alto saxophonist Candi Dulfer came out to jam with Najee on a song. And another happened when Najee was getting people from the audience to sing on mike and this lady really nailed her part of the song. I mean she really sang! And it turned out to be Silver, who was formerly a member of the group Chic. And that’s one of the beauties of this cruise, once in a lifetime pairings or unique musical moments.

After the show I went to the casino and learned how to play Three Card Poker. At one point I was down $90 and I was on what would have been my last hand, I hit a straight flush that paid $250! After 30 minutes I was up $100 so I quit while I was ahead.

Then at midnight we went up to the club to hear Chuck Brown who was absolutely killing it! They were rocking that heavy go-go swing thing. After the first 10 minutes the whole place was partying like they wanted to prove something! The sound system was off the chain. The kick drum was thumping you in the chest. The whole group was grooving hard. And Chuck himself looked like he was really having the time of his life. As always. The music was a tremendous unifier. This older, largely black DC area crowd powered this big-assed ship right on down the Chesapeake Bay headed for the tropical zone. But it was already hot on this cruise, right where we are!

Day 2. Sunday morning 8:30 AM
I dreamed of my set and went over the repertoire for my show in my mind while the ocean gently rocked the boat. The dark drapes in the cabin did their job, covering the porthole window so thoroughly, I couldn’t tell when the sun rose. I got up and crept out of the darkness of my stateroom and went up to the top deck to be greeted by a partly cloudy, warm and humid morning. Joggers and other early risers did their thing while the sound crew was already busy readying the system for today’s music. I laid back on a deck chair to ponder the ocean and to write the song list for our concert at noon today. I think we’ll get a good crowd given that it will be the first music of the day and before the football games start; and everybody onboard will be up and about, and ready to do something outside on the first full day of cruising. I am confident that the band will be ready to rock the whole ship and the passengers will enjoy our show.

A little bit of yoga. Shower. Breakfast. And then it will be time to get ready to do what we have come on this cruise to do — funk it up.

7:15 PM Sunday after my show. In the club listening to Ken Ford.

My show this afternoon ended up being a grand occasion! The weather was around 79 degrees with enough humidity to make it feel hotter. Folks all kicked back in the deck chairs, in the pool and the hot tubs, leaning over the railings of the top deck and digging our funk jazz and go-go grooves.

It didn’t get off the best of starts however. After such a great sound check last night, when we kicked off the set there was an annoying glitch in the sound system that imitated the bass drum but in an off time, so it was hard make the go-go groove happen. I was almost distraught and I am sure it showed on my face. My son, Fire, even reminded me to smile. Once the engineer corrected the problem, it took me a while but I was finally able to relax and let the songs and the rhythms take me and the audience on an enjoyable excursion into music glory. We played for two solid hours non-stop and by the end we had turned it into a Plunky dance party! People jamming on the dance floor, sweating out the hits and converted into Plunky fans.

Afterwards, there was a line of folks who bought my CD. I signed autographs and took pictures with my new friends. After that, I would spend the afternoon chilling out on the decks, watching the Redskins football game (they lost!) and winding down from the show.

I got so many congratulations, accolades and compliments! I don’t think have ever had more positive feedback from any show I have done. In fact, it seems like everyone I run into has something nice or better to say. After several hours of repeated praises it is almost getting embarrassing. People genuinely were impressed or moved or converted; musicians, staff, crew, and mostly music lovers just gush their approval.

I think the feedback is also a result of being up close and personal, artist and audience together in confined space, all be it a large space. We are seeing each other repeatedly on the various decks, in the venues onboard, in the corridors, elevators and lounge areas. People are taking pictures and conversing with the musicians to a degree that isn’t normally possible when the performer might leave soon after the show. Here, we are all in the same boat and interacting is the norm.

Day 3. Monday morning 9:00 AM

Last night at dinner and beyond I was still meeting people who wanted to take photos with me and asking me questions about why they haven’t heard more about me in the past and getting my autograph.

I spent the late afternoon and early evening roaming about, lounging about, watching a rainbow sail by and glancing at a glorious sunset.

After dinner I went to the casino and then I went to see Kem in concert. He was quite the consummate smooth crooner with a polished demeanor, a confident stage presence and a really good band. I stayed for the whole show and was quite impressed with his songwriting and his dynamic presentation of new material.

After that show I went to the midnight jam session led by saxophonist Mike Phillips. It was a slamming affair with Mike calling various musicians to the stage. The audience was packed into the club setting, listening and rocking to the likes of Candi Dulfer, Joey Somerville, Brian Culbertson, Prince band alumni, two outstanding trombonists and saxophonists who played unbelievable ornate improvisations and combinations. When Mike called Chuck Brown’s drummer to the bandstand the dance floor filled up and after a brief stint out there with the crowd I left to get some rest.

But I didn’t get much. I got up early this morning to go up to top deck, get some juice, use the Internet and get my day started. I am still tired from this weekend and I hope I’ll catch up on rest this week”¦

END PART I ///

Day 3. Tuesday, October 13, 9:00 AM in my cabin.

There may not be that much to blog about for the rest of the week. We don’t have to perform again, so for me this will be a vacation cruise, now docked in Nassau Bahamas, then on to Key West Florida and finally back to Baltimore. I have finished my work portion of the week, though I have told the band that we will take some group photos to try and get a new promo shot of the group.

The band members are enjoying themselves. The music, entertainment and scenery have been really special. We had a group meeting to discuss the show and the business of this cruise and I think we shared several good ideas on improving the preparation and flow of our concert shows. They want fewer surprises in the repertoire for concerts and big shows. They suggest a strong opening fanfare groove to introduce me. I have got to remember to not let any distresses show on my face and to keep entertaining even when things go awry. We want to use more dynamics and contrasts in volumes of the songs. All good suggestions.

Yesterday we docked at Coco Cay, a private little island owned by Royal Caribbean Cruise line, where we swam, lounged about, and had a beach party. When we got back to the ship we went to see Spur of the Moment perform in the club. They are DC’s finest urban jazz band and they were at their tightest last night. The placed was packed and the people were right in the groove with the groove. Chuck Brown even came out and did a number with them. The crowd went wild.

After that show we went to the comedy show and were thoroughly entertained by AJ Jamal and Jay Lamont. AJ Jamal went on second and he was very funny, but Jay Lamont was absolutely the perfect act for this cruise because most of his show was performing parodies of songs, imitating soul & jazz stars and talking about the impact of our music on our lives. He was so funny! The audience roared its approval and stayed in stitches the whole hour he was on. Now I know why people say, “side splitting” because I laughed so hard I had a pain in my left side. He nailed his impressions, sound effects, and had a great repertoire. He was a riot. And his impersonation of President Barack Obama was the best I’ve seen.

Later I played three-card poker in the casino; walked outside on deck five and then went to bed around 2:00 AM. Now this morning I’ll go have breakfast, exercise and go out into Nassau.

9:30 PM Back in my stateroom.

I got up this morning, had breakfast and then went out into Nassau. We got a tour drive around the capital city of 200,000 seeing the sights, getting historical information and sampling local cuisine. After visiting the Paradise Resort and its casino I came back onboard in time for the 4:00 PM poolside sail away party featuring War.

I decided to watch the show from the hot tub. Wow, what a scene: hundreds of music lovers partying poolside to War’s greatest hits. They played “Cisco Kid,” “All Day Music,” “The World Is A Ghetto,” “Slipping Into Darkness,” and so many others of their hits. People were dancing, singing along and whooping it up! The sound system was loud and clear, the band was jamming and the weather was almost perfect. Everybody seemed aware of the beauty of the setting and the conditions. Then after thirty minutes of the music reverberating all over the harbor, our Grandeur of the Seas cruised out of the harbor and on out to sea with the music pumping.

I was in the hot tub with several people including Jonathan Butler, and danced and waved and sang along loudly. There were three other hot tubs, a large pool, a surrounding balcony and people everywhere. Rich Braun, who got his start with War when he was right out of college, played with the group for the entire set. Candi Dulfer sat in as the first of a string of other great players who jammed with the group. War played for two hours, non-stop and the party didn’t stop until the music did.

Day 4. 8:00 AM in the Windjammer dining area looking out to sea.
There is just something about the sea. Maybe its vastness symbolizes our small place in the universe and dwarfs our sense of self. But at the same time, looking out over the ocean gives us a perspective of limitless possibilities.

We are now headed to Key West. We should get there in a couple of hours and stay docked there all day. This gives us a chance to be back in the USA for a while. Hopefully our cell phones won’t be in the roaming mode and things will be most familiar. One of the great things about international travel is seeing things, including your self and your culture from a different perspective. Another good thing is appreciating what you have at home, even as you want to continually work to change it and yourself for the better.

Looking through the wall of windows of the casual dining area called the Windjammer the ocean drifts by under a mostly sunny sky. The few clouds give depth to the panoramic view that spans from the farthest left across the endless horizon directly in front to the widest right. The morning sunlight filters through one the clouds brave enough to try to block the rays of our nearest star. A way off in the distance another ship passes as a tiny silhouette beneath its own set of clouds. But the ocean is an endless dark blue carpet beneath our very large ship. We float on the surface unconcerned about the 7,000 feet of water under it.

At the elevator I met a couple that I have gotten to know by sight and the woman says, “You know, Plunky, your are about the friendliest star on this boat! Some of the rest of them act kind of stuck up and stuff.” And I responded “Oh, that’s probably because they are just not used to being around their fans for such a long time and they are used to their privacy.” And she said, “Oh well, I cut them some slack then.”

A couple of things about that little exchange are interesting to me about me. I don’t think of myself as being a star or as being friendly. From my perspective I am a musician putting my music and my views out there from the stage and on recordings. But I don’t see me as a star; but I can see how someone seeing me from afar might. I am on stage, under the bright lights, with my sound and voice being amplified a hundred fold until they ring out filling the whole space and commanding people to dance or listen or suspend belief for a moment in time. That could be a star.

Also, I don’t think I am particularly friendly. Sure, I smile and I am genuinely happy that people appreciate and support our music. I don’t have to fake that at all. It is amazingly gratifying to have people say they love my music or my sound or my band or my energy. Wow! How cool is that! Of course, I smile and blush and touch or hug them. But in reality I am a bashful loner. From the very first word of a conversation I am trying to end it. My every comment is designed to be the last sentence so I can make my escape back to my shell, back behind my façade and that could be perceived as me being aloof.

And so it is with a lot of artists. We may use our creative output as a way to communicate even our deepest feeling and most intimate thoughts, but we do it from a distance. And we just may be really uncomfortable being up close and personal. Some may even choose this type of profession because it allows us to do just that — communicate through the veil of the edge of the stage or on a screen. You can see us and be touched by us, but you can’t really put your finger on us. Maybe lots of us performers are really masking our insecurities with bright lights and big sound and dancers and props. We are all, even we stars, children growing up into our dreams. Maybe everybody is a star, at least potentially so. Or maybe none of us are.

Day 6. 11:30 AM Thursday, October 15. Deck 6 lounge facing east with the ship heading northwest. Just passing Cape Canaveral.

Last night I stayed up until after 2:00 AM checking the poolside midnight concert by Mike Phillips and the Unwrapped All Stars. The concert was loud and slamming and the folks were proud and jamming. It was billed as a Sadie Hawkins dance so there were several fine ladies showing there wares and their dancing skills. But it was the music and musicianship that were the stars of the night.

Mike Phillips is a killer alto saxophonist who loves hip-hop and neo-soul and he has serious jazz chops and lots of energy. He does a super funky job on the midi wind instrument with auto-tuned vocoder, and he is a really good master of ceremonies. The group he assembled was an aggregation of young lions of jazz funk and soul that consisted of two trombones, two trumpets, two saxes, drums, percussion bass, guitar, keyboard, and electric violin.

They were all killing it with high energy and high quality musical chops. The drummer, who looked to be about 12, was a funk fool who was polyrhythmic as hell! But the super nova of the evening was clearly electric violinist, Karen Briggs, who came to prominence performing with new age musician Yanni. That girl bowed that thing last night. She gave me goose pimples and made the crowd roar. Like I said, I stayed to the end. The whole show knocked me out! What a blast!

This morning at breakfast I saw Mike and I told him I thought the show was off the chain and he in turn paid me high praise, saying that he had loved my show, he had stayed to the end and that I had set the bar high. I told him that the bar had been duly raised by his show last night.

Earlier in the evening last night we had gone to see Patti Austin in concert. Young alto saxophonist Marcus Anderson opened the show and he was really sincere, more than competent and quite a showman. He has the skills and the smile to win over audiences and have longevity in this business of jazz and soul.

Patti Austin displayed true professionalism, stage presence, vocal prowess and a recently trimmed down body. She looked good and sounded great with a pure, often vibrato-less voice and an impeccable sense of timing and pitch. Sometimes sounding a bit like Streisand, Nancy Wilson or Dionne Warwick, Patti explored the nuances and grand themes to be found in her repertoire of fantastic songs written by some of the best in the business. She has worked all over the world and recorded with giants in black pop music and all that experience showed in her concert performance last night, which was at times understated and but always luminescent.

When I see my band members at these shows I am gratified that they seem to be enjoying themselves being immersed in all this music. There is so much to be gleaned from seeing others in our profession doing what we do and at such a high level of proficiency. And in such quantities and variety. From the quiet self-assurance of Patti Austin to the exuberant boisterousness of Mike Phillips and his brash brass band, the range of sounds and personalities is really amazing. And all of it has its fans.

One of my vocalists, Chyp Page Green, stood transfixed in front of the stage at last night’s pool party and said she was just loving Mike Phillips show! And this morning I realized that that are several factors in determining what music and musicians we love. Repertoire is important. What the songs mean to you, the personality projected by the artist, the style or genre of the music, the sound and lights and tech, the reaction of the rest of the audience, and your own mood all influence the way and degree the music will impact you.

I think so much of the music and so many of these musicians are of such high quality that it could be hard for me to carve out a niche, much less excel in this talent-heavy environment. Yet ever while Mike Phillips’ group was killing it last night, a young lady came up to me to say how much she really enjoyed our show. And this morning at breakfast Wayne Bruce, the leader of Spur of the Moment, came past my table and did a fake kneel down and fist bump and said to me, “I just wanted to kiss the ring.” Wow, some high praise from several young lions for me, a funk veteran. Maybe I am due some accolades for my longevity in the game. Maybe I am an O.G. of Afro-funk jazz.


Yesterday, when we docked at Key West, my son Jamiah had to leave the ship, so I spent much of the hot October day making travel arrangements for him and his roommate to get back to Richmond to take care of business. I did get to do some sightseeing in the city with an old friend of mine, Elwood York, who not only took us to the airport but also drove us around, giving up a guided tour of the place. Key West is the southernmost part of the US, only 90 miles from Cuba. If you take US Route 1 South when you get to mile marker 0, you’ll be in the center of Key West, Florida. It felt like it was 95 degrees in that beach town yesterday and that heat drained me enough that I needed a nap when I got back to the ship.

Today I am still being amicably besieged for autographs, pictures and even a few prospective gigs. People are still saying that they are surprised they had not heard of me, given the power of my performance way back then on last Sunday. I am amazed because so much music and so many great performances have happened since then. Some things make a deep enough impression to be timeless, at least for a minute.

End Part II ///

Day 7. 1:30 PM Friday afternoon in club on Deck 6.

The DC-based group 76 Degrees West is playing their hit song “School Days,” a go-go jazz song that sounds so good when I hear on WHUR I always wish I had made that record as the follow-up to my song “Drop.” The group had an uneven start to their set today, probably because the show, which was supposed to be poolside, had to be moved inside due to chilly windy weather out on deck. They are rolling along now though, go-go swinging and with Eddie Backus on tenor sax, Marcus Anderson on alto and Joey Somerville on trumpet all sitting in. It has turned into quite a jam session and I am digging it. Right now Jonathan Butler is doing another solo session out in the main atrium and he is sounding so good. But you can’t do everything on this cruise. And I promised 76 Degrees West I would catch their set and I love Eddie’s playing.

3:00 PM Now I have moved to the atrium to catch the last part of Jonathan Butler’s solo presentation. He is doing Q and A now. He has really enjoyed himself this week hanging out every day everywhere on the ship and being accessible and gracious.

Last night we saw Jonathan in full concert and he was fantastic. His back up group was Spur of the Moment and I thought it was their best work all week. Jonathan is so expressive with his voice and his guitar playing. He sounds like Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway but with a South African flavor and an L.A. twist. The audience loved him and Spur of the Moment seemed inspired by his music and the moment, especially their saxophonist, Skip Pruitt. At the end of the show Jonathan went into his gospel mode, preaching and teaching and testifying, but the music still had that pop smooth jazz contemporary feel to it; very polished and improvised to fit that very moment in time.

Before that we saw and equally polished performance by Rick Braun in the nightclub venue. His show was very enjoyable, especially when he was joined on stage by Candi Dulfer, Brian Culbertson, and bassist Gerald Veasley.

So much music; so many good vibes; so much camaraderie and so many new friends and fans. So many learning and teaching moments. We are a family this week. Last night I did participate in the jam session. The music was hot and Mike Phillips and Karen Briggs were their usual superlative, powerful selves. When I went up to play along with five or six other horn players they called a straight ahead jazz tune on which I was barely able to hold my own with several young players who had the chops of old jazz heads. I would have much rather played some P funk, but you improvise, do your best and live the moment to the fullest. I learned I have to go back in the shed and practice a lot more and continue be dedicated to never stop learning, advancing, developing my art and myself.

12:00 midnight outside the CD store on board.
I am hanging out with several other musicians as I type this. We are all waiting for the gift shop and Capital Jazz reps to tally up our remaining CD’s so we can determine how many we have sold. While we wait the musicians are discussing various things about how things have gone this week, comparing notes on other gigs and tours, and generally agreeing that this cruise has been a really positive experience. Mike Phillips is telling stories about touring with Prince and funny things that happened when he was touring with Jill Scott while I type away on my laptop. (The store sold 96 of my box sets and 8 single CD’s.)

Now I am at home in my kitchen at 11:00 PM Saturday night October 17.
Earlier on Friday night I had been a little seasick. The boat had more pitch and yaw, as the sea was more active beneath us than at any other time this week. In fact, the cruise had been super smooth sailing up until that last day. I took some Dramamine and a nap and move about slowly, feeling a bit woozy, like being drunk.

Before being outside the Gift shop that last night I had gone to see Candi Dulfer’s show in the club at around 8:00 PM. She was hot and her repertoire was mostly straight up funk a la James Brown/ Maceo Parker. She was a lot more than credible; she was spot on with her alto sax soloing, rapping, singing and the pacing of her show. Having toured with Prince and jamming over the years with a lot of funk heavy weights, she is a powerful presence and a dominant force to be reckoned with, especially internationally where that brand of funk has a big audience. I really liked her show, her sincerity and her command of her presentation.

The last show of the week was the Brian Culbertson concert at 10:30 PM Saturday night. Brian has been on all three of the Super Cruises and his show demonstrated why he is an award winning festival favorite and why he will be back for Super Cruise IV. He has tremendous energy and an infectious smile and persona on stage. Playing the keyboard and trombone, he leads the band, and acts like he is having the time of his life with grand gestures, facial expressions and humorous posturing. He prances around the stage, striking poses, dancing and interacting with the band. Employing dynamics in the extreme, he alternates between funk and smooth jazz, using breaks, stops and sudden shifts in volume and textures. He creates a party onstage and the audience is invited.

Later that night there was a pajama party in the club from midnight to 3:00 AM. I did poke my head in for a second to see how the crowd was getting down with deejay Spinderella and they seemed to be having fun.

I went to the casino where I spent a lot of my spare minutes this cruise week and where I became friends with several ladies who also enjoyed Three Card Poker. This last night I was mostly at the table alone with the dealers. Two days before I had been up for the week, holding on to six black $100 chips. One day ago I had lost three of those chips and on the last evening I had lost them all. So I was playing with my money at that point, down $200.

During the last hour from 1:30 AM until the casino closed down at 2:30 AM I had a great run of cards, hitting three of a kind three times, trip 8’s and three Kings, twice within three hands. Later I hit trips 8’s again and several other good hands and finally ending up $1,125! What a great time to win, right at the end, with no chance to lose it back! I shared my winnings with the band.

I turned in at 3:00 AM after setting my phone alarm for 5:55 AM and got up at that time. I was squirrelly eyed and tired but excited to be docking back in Baltimore. It was cold and rainy but still a wonderful time to be getting off the boat; even with the extreme contrast to the over 90 degrees weather in the Bahamas and Key West just hours ago.

We had breakfast; I collected the money from the CD’s sales (100 x $29.99 less 30% commission to the cruise line; wow!) and disembarked by 9:30 AM Saturday. We drove back to Richmond and I was so tired that I passed out for a deep-sleep nap almost right away. At 4:00 PM I was still feeling like I was still on the boat and using my sea legs. I was still almost drunk with sea motion even though I was well inland, when I got a call to go play tennis. Crazily, I agreed and at 5:30 PM I was out on the court, “freezing,” stiff, woozy and wondering about my own sanity, but warming up to play doubles tennis with three other wild and crazy tennis enthusiasts.

Even now at a quarter to midnight I am still feeling like I am on the rocking ship. And that’s odd because for the vast majority of the hours on board you could barely feel the ocean’s motion. But I do “feel” it now. Still.

Epilogue. 8:00 AM Sunday morning October 18, in my kitchen.

I slept good and hard for over seven hours for the first time in weeks. A week with a ship load of music and activities, sudden chilly weather and three sets of tennis after driving from Baltimore on three hours sleep might knock you out! I am still a little bit tipsy but I can feel that today should be the last of that.

The Capital Jazz Cruise III was a fantastic voyage for me. The music, the musicians and the warmth of the audience inspired me. I learned so much from the experiences and I am charged up with determination to do and be better; and that’s worth the price of admission to any gig or university master class. Of course I only had to pay with my time, energy and open mind.

And what great payoffs! I have never made so many sales and new fans from any one gig in my life. If you consider that there are six discs in the 2012 Collectors Box Set then we distributed over 500 individual discs to music lovers who are likely to listen and in some instances turn some of their family and friends on to our music. So many patrons on the cruise told us how much they loved our show and our music and our energy; and several said they would be coming to see us when we come to DC or Baltimore or New York or Texas and wherever they were from. And I got solid contacts for bookings in Maryland, New York, London and Atlanta.

No doubt I will be contacting the Capital Jazz people to lobby for a slot on next year’s Super Cruise IV already scheduled for the last week in October 2010 leaving out of Miami. I want my same performance slot, playing for the opening pool party.

In the meantime, I am committed to doing and getting more: more practice, yoga, strategic planning, marketing, chops, and more polished professionalisms. Instead of being discouraged by the great music coming out of my more youthful compatriots and competitors, I am inspired by my own wealth of experience and the respect given to what I do.

I am rededicated to giving up the funk and the best that I got, every time I have the chance to take it to the stage. Music is my ministry and my mistress. And the basis of my mysticism and magic. It is a source of inspiration for me and my shadow. I plan to continue to explore develop and share the inner and outer workings of juju, funk, soul, world, African, blues, reggae, hip-hop, Latin, gospel and jazz. Understanding that they, like we, are much more alike than dissimilar is an essential step toward oneness.]]> http://plunkyone.com/news.html#18 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700 J. PLUNKY BRANCH & ONENESS (OF JUJU) - PLUNKY & ONENESS - News & Journals http://plunkyone.com/news.html#12 http://plunkyone.com/news.html#12 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 J. PLUNKY BRANCH & ONENESS (OF JUJU) - PLUNKY & ONENESS - News & Journals http://plunkyone.com/news.html#17
This is a collection of songs by one of the most prolific and enduring groups of the last 40 years. The band originated in the early 1970’s as Plunky & Oneness of Juju, an avant Afro-jazz ensemble, and they developed by constantly exploring a wide range additional genres of Black music including R&B, funk, smooth jazz, reggae, hip-hop and neo-soul. Plunky and the group has continued to record and tour extensively and recently had a new break-through when Plunky’s song “Drop” received national radio airplay and became a dance club hit.

Plunky & Oneness 2012 Collectors’ Box Set is a virtual music library of the best of Plunky’s last 20 years’ releases. The compilation includes more than 80 songs on five CD’s plus a bonus disc that contains background information, pictures, travel journals and videos.

The original 12 albums recorded and released between 1988 and 2008 were each unique but similar in that they all contained multiple types of music, as Plunky consciously continued to demonstrate the “oneness” or common characteristics inherent in all Black popular music forms. The songs on the new 2012 compilation CD’s are organized by genre, taking into account that listeners are likely to utilize music albums in accordance with their moods, activities and settings.

Whatever your mood, this collection offers music to enhance and uplift it. Choose whichever hour-long CD matches your state of mind and the music does the rest. Disc 1 Urban Groove has saxy instrumentals for dancing or just grooving (and includes Plunky’s smash hit “Drop”). Disc 2 Cool Jazz is smooth tracks for a mellow atmosphere. Disc 3 Love Songs’ sensual music sets the mood for romance. Disc 4 P Phunk is all hard-core funk to move your mind and body. Disc 5 Afro World explores African rhythms and other world beats.

This is a massive compilation of music for all the senses and sensibilities; for Plunky lovers and for collectors of original urban, saxy, cool, funky, love inducing, Afro-jazz and more. The five CD set, plus bonus disc will be packaged in a regular DVD at list price of $39.99 with deep discounts for pre-release orders and downloads.]]> http://plunkyone.com/news.html#17 Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 J. PLUNKY BRANCH & ONENESS (OF JUJU) - PLUNKY & ONENESS - News & Journals http://plunkyone.com/news.html#16
I am not sure that I want to keep a journal on this trip. I am not sure I want to spend the time and the energy or share the introspection. My thoughts these past few weeks have been so personal that I am not sure if anyone else should be privy to them. I have been concentrating on promotion of my career, marketing my wares and pursuing personal and spiritual development so much that it seems I am self-absorbed. Maybe only others who are on a similar artistic journey or those in my personal musiclan would be interested in a blog about my experiences on this tour.

I have been working on a theory of musiclans — music clans — groups of people responding to and influenced by the same music. Those of us who are fanatical about George Clinton and P-Funk are in the same musiclan. John Coltrane music worshipers are a musiclan. Patrons who come to the Martini Kitchen & Bubble Bar on a regular basis are a musiclan. These are “tribes” who share a common cultural experience based on musical interaction. Sharing excitement, movement, inspiration and valuation of a genre, recording, performance, or composition of music. Deadheads, Beatlemaniacs, hip-hoppers, jazz lovers, Old school R&B audiences, line dancers, reggae groovers are examples of musiclans. Maybe this blog/journal will be for members of my musiclan - members of the I-Love-Plunky (& Oneness) Club. This one’s for you.


We are going on our one week Drive It Tour of France, to include two performances in Paris at the New Morning jazz club and in Montpellier in the South of France at Le Jam club. My seven-piece band includes my brother and long time collaborator, P. Muzi Branch, keyboardist-vocalist Tonya Lazenby-Jackson, guitarist Carl Lester, vocalist Charlayne “Chyp” Green, New York based drummer John “Jozack” Zachary and my son on electronic percussion Jamiah “Fire” Branch.

After days of preparation, a weekend of performances at our home base club, The Martini Kitchen & Bubble Bar, and packing, repacking and constant up to the last minute online marketing and management duties, it was finally time to embark on this, my next international performance excursion. I had been ready to go since last Monday, a week early; having my repertoire and set list planned out, my musicians passported, booked and ready and my personal and business activities all lined up, budgeted and on auto-pilot for the duration of my trip. I was a little antsy, hoping that the final week of waiting to leave wouldn’t allow for some mishap that would monkey wrench our readiness to go. No last minute flu or traffic ticket or court case or medical emergency or family issues or foreclosure on property. Well, in fact all of those things had come up but they were all resolved before that last week of waiting to leave. I didn’t want any new things to crop up.

This trip kicks off a December that is booked with a solid line up of gigs:
December 3 & 4 — Paris, France, New Morning Club
December 6 — Montpellier, France, Le Jam Club
December 9 — Washington, DC, Zanzibar on the Waterfront Club
December 12, 13 — Richmond, VA, Martini Kitchen & Bubble Bar
December 17 — Richmond, VA, Toad’s Place
December 19 — New York, NY, Ashford & Simpson’s Sugar Bar Club
December 20 — Lynchburg, VA, Private Corporate Xmas Party
December 26, 27, & 31 Richmond, VA, Martini Kitchen & Bubble Bar Club

I got to the airport at 3:15 PM for our 5:30 PM flight and found that there would be delays. The ticket agent was going to try to get us on an earlier flight so we could get to Newark in time to be sure to make our connecting flight to Paris. Muzi and Carl were a bit late so we couldn’t get checked in in time to be on stand-by for the earlier flight. So we had to wait until 6:40 to board for our original 5:30 flight.

The Richmond Free Press newspaper sent a photographer to get a shot of us getting ready to board our plane. It was a nice that they deemed it newsworthy that we local celebs were going to perform in Paris. In the recent days and weeks leading up to this trip, our community and fans from all over have voiced their approval and excitement for this confirmation of our musical success. So many folks have said things like “I’m so proud of you,” or “It’s been a long time coming,” or “You really deserve this!”

It seems that a getting to go on a tour on a tour in Europe or being submitted for a Grammy nomination are perceived as a validation of one’s music; and they are, to be sure. But these things are as often as not, a confirmation of one marketing efforts and perseverance, more than an indication of the quality of the music. Though I guess those things often go hand in hand. This period of success helps to validate one’s whole career and the efforts of so many who collaborate and help along the way.

We board the plane at 6:30 and then sit on the runway for another 30 minutes before finally taking off for Newark Airport. Our flight to Paris was scheduled to depart at 10:00 PM so when landed in Newark we had only a little over an hour to get from Terminal A by shuttle bus to Terminal C. There we met up with Reynald DesChamp, my French connection with whom I have worked for over 10 years, and John Zachary, our drummer for this tour. They both live in New York. We were all smiles; happy we were all together and on our way to Paris.



The Paris flight was on time and uneventful, which is just the way I like them. The seats on this Continental 767 were smaller than on a Greyhound bus; a tight, barely comfortable fit for me, and an almost unbearable one for Tonya. Flying and especially landing in big cities always make me conscious of the magnitude of modern development: the highways and byways, the electricity and water requirements; the number of people and number of vehicles that have to be coordinated, is impressive if not overwhelming. So much energy, both physical and emotional. So much technology, both massive and micro. So many things working together to make things work together and so much of it unnoticed and taken for granted. The wiring of the runway lights and the wiring that make the airplane wing flaps go up and down and the wiring to the radar screens in the control towers and the wiring that run from the pilots brain to his eyes and hands and the wiring between minds in synch moving toward the same goals. A lot of wiring indeed.

On the flight we ate a meal, watched movies, read books and did a lot of other things to pass the 6 hour 11 minute flight. I brought my earplugs and mask to block out sound and light and proceeded to meditate and doze a little until the continental breakfast was served. Before too long we were landing in Paris. Entry and customs were a breeze. All our luggage and instruments arrived safe and sound. And we were here at last, ready to make music and good times happen.

Samy Elbaz, my main contact here in Paris, met us at the airport and we had a pleasant, post morning rush hour drive into the city. Paris is still a wonderful city; so vibrant, crowded but quaint at the same time. It looks like Brooklyn, the Bronx, London, New Orleans and Manhattan all at once. It is old, having been here for 23 centuries; and new at the same time, constantly reinventing itself and being on the cutting edge of fashion, architecture, music, dance and all the arts. It is the quintessential European capitol. I just love it.

We got to the Cambrai Hotel and our rooms were not ready. In fact, our reservations were made incorrectly - we were not expected until tomorrow. The hotel staff was able to accommodate us but it took an hour to get the band’s rooms ready one by one. I made sure everyone else was settled and my room took two hours to get straight. I was completely beat and bummed out. I didn’t like the hotel rooms because they were below our usual standard. I was really concerned about the ladies, especially Chyp, who is as particular, persnickety and as hard to please as anyone I know. But everybody went along with the program and settled in with no complaints. We were all so tired from the traveling we really just wanted to get some rest.

John Zachary and I walked around the neighborhood while waiting for my room to get ready. There were lots of stores, Africans, traffic and action all around. I went to exchange some money to have some Euros and I bought a phone card to be able to make calls by to the states.

By the time I got into my room, I had had to make three trips from lobby to take my horns, suitcase and other junk I had with me. I lay on the bed and nearly passed out with my clothes on. When I took my clothes off, I was too tired to fall asleep. I managed to get a couple of hours napping before it was time to get ready to meet our hosts to go out to dinner and sightseeing.

Samy and Reynald arrived to pick us up around 7:00 PM and we were driven to the New Morning, the venue where were would play tomorrow. We went to the club to make sure all the technical requirements would be met for our show. The sound engineer, Nadir, has done our sound mix for my previous shows at New Morning and he is really good as his job. Additionally, he really loves our music and respects what we do; and he willingly does everything in his power to accommodate us. There is a band performing at the club this night as well, and Nadir says that he will work on getting the stage set up for us after that show. He will work late into the early morning hours so things will be ready for us when we come back for rehearsal and sound check tomorrow.

Then we go all the way across the city to a small café to have drinks and dinner. All total there are 12 of us: the seven band members, three promoters, the MC and an extra friend of Samy’s. The café was very typical and very active. We spent several hours there drinking red wine, eating, talking and singing happy birthday to my son, Jamiah, who turned 27 years old today. I am not sure if it was the grandest way to celebrate his birthday in his world, but it was pretty special. I am sure he will remember 2008 as the year that he spent his birthday week touring in France.

Our driver for the night is Hugo, a friend of Samy’s who is a professional tour guide. When we left the café he took us on one of his patented drives around Paris, showing first-time visitors Jamiah, Chyp, Jozack and the rest of us Paris, the City of Light, decked out in all her Christmas decorations splendor. I had opted not to bring my video camera along on this trip because I have been here and done that before. But I forgot that this would be Xmas time and the lights and decorations were truly spectacular. We went to the Eiffel Tower, the Champs d’Elysee, the Arc de Triumph, the Notre Dame, the Louvre, the red light district near the famed Moulan Rouge; and had an ooh la la sightseeing trip.

By the time we got back to the hotel it was midnight. Once again I was too tired to sleep. I lay awake going over the songs and the show in my mind. I meditated, looked at television and then closed my eyes for about two hours until finally I got up and took a Tylenol PM. Even so, I was awake for at least another hour. But then, the next thing I knew it was almost noon!

I got a croissant, yogurt, cheese and coffee for breakfast and then chilled out until 3:00 PM, when the driver, Stephan, came to pick us up to go to the club for sound check. Wow! Our ride was a black Mercedes-Benz minivan sitting on rims; classy and hip. What a nice ride! The band arrived at the venue in style.

The rehearsal went well. We went over the songs with Jozack, who hadn’t played drums with us in years. I was a little apprehensive because I felt the tempos of the songs slipping or slowing down. This was largely due to his unfamiliarity with my show and his tentativeness caused by having to really listen to be prepared for all the changes I like to throw into the music without much warning.

At 5:30 we left the club to come back to the hotel to eat, rest and change clothes. We bought a lot of Chinese food right across the street from the club, took it back and feasted right in the hotel lobby.



The show was really quite special! The opening act was a Ghanaian singer, Sophia Nelson, who spent time in London but now lives in Paris. She sounds like a mature and sophisticated Sade. Her band was composed of excellent musicians from Africa, Cuba and Paris and a background singer from Atlanta, GA. Their show was quite good and Sophia’s music was as diverse and international as her band and her own background.

After her hour-long set the MC brought us on stage to a rousing ovation and we proceeded to funk things up. We opened with “More Than Meets The Eye,” a jazz funk instrumental from my latest CD Drive It. Then we played “Follow Me” and “Hop Skip & Jump” from the Cold Heat CD. We performed old and new original songs and the audience seemed to really love the music. As we got funkier and funkier, they got more and more into it, dancing and screaming encouragement. By the time we ended the set they were screaming for more. We did an encore, left the stage again and thought that would have been the end of it; but five minutes later they were still screaming for more, so we went back out one more time.

After the second encore when we attempted to leave the stage one fan blocked the door to our dressing room not letting us off the stage. He would not move. The crowd was still cheering. He begged us to play one more song and even got down on his knees and offered me the ring off his finger. I thought he was too funny, but he was so exuberant with his protest that I relented and went back on for a third encore. Too wild! After that one Reynald, our road manager, propped door open so we could go right into the dressing room.

What a fun performance it was! The band really enjoyed themselves. Everyone was all-smiles and happy vibes ruled the dressing room as fans and friends and business people streamed through for picture taking and congratulations and expressions of how much they enjoyed the show. It was emotionally satisfying to feel the energy, support and love of these fans, our Paris, France musiclan. After the wind down and downing some red wine, our black Benz van drove us through the late-night, rain-wet reflective Parisian streets back to the hotel. All in all the night was a satisfying experience.



Breakfast at the hotel the next morning was right on time. Though it was a light continental style with just yogurt, coffee, croissants with cheese and jam, somehow it hit the spot. I spent the morning resting. I surmised that even at my age I could do multiple nights of gigs in a row if I could spend the days resting. I am blessed to be able to make a living solely through my various musical endeavors: record sales, commercial performances, licensing music, school lectures, etc. Some musicians also hold down a day job while gigging most nights and that is a wearying proposition. It is imperative that musicians have a plan for how to develop their careers and businesses.

I made phone calls back to the states, used the Internet on my laptop from my room and generally had a pleasant day. The weather was again cool, rainy and blustery. But by afternoon the sun peeked through and lightened the mood.

I had a photo session for a jazz magazine and the photographer was an older gentleman who used two old Nikon cameras, one for color and one for black and white film. Amazing, not digital but film! I think the pictures will be like those old Blue Note Records album cover shots. I hope they will be cool. These days a photographer will often shoot 400 — 500 digital shots to get 10 good ones. This guy shot a total of maybe 30. We’ll see how they turn out.

I bought a shirt and tie at a local shop on the block with the hotel. This is a bustling area with lots of inexpensive shops and restaurants. The neighborhood is right around the Gard Du Nord (North Train Station) and it teems with activity and a mix of races. We are comfortable here and don’t have to spend a lot of cash to eat and pick up things we need.

Our driver picked us up to go to the New Morning around 7:30 PM and we already can see that the crowd will be bigger than last night. We are all relaxed and waited in the dressing room while Sophia Nelson and her band performed. I did go out to see some of their set, which was really polished, entertaining and urban. This second night confirmed my opinion that her international group with members from Africa, Cuba, France and Atlanta are all excellent musicians; and Sophia is experienced and attractive. Her warmth both on and off stage is readily apparent.

Our show was really hot, much tighter than the night before. Jozack on drums seemed a lot more relaxed and comfortable and funky. The crowd really loved the music and danced and swayed the night away. We took them on a journey through time and space and the music was our vehicle. Once again we had to do multiple encores. I had to really work my body to give the drummer a visual representation of where I wanted the energy level and the tempos. By the end of the night I was drenched in sweat. But everybody in the band felt like we did an incredible set.

Again fans came to the dressing room for autographs and photos. After a while all the flashes from the cameras started to blur my vision and I was happy when that part was done. I got so many comments from fans indicating that that they had been moved by the music and the show. One journalist whose name is Sheidia (which means Fragrant One) came both nights said she could feel our spirit and she was so impressed with our music.

Several people would clasp my hands or kiss both cheeks or hug me while giving heartfelt thanks for the music. I can usually sense when a person has been truly moved by the experience by the sincerity of their expression. I know how they feel because I have been that fan who has been truly moved by the music; like when I have heard Pharaoh Sanders or Sly and the Family Stone or George Clinton & P-funk or King Sunny Ade or John Coltrane or a moving gospel performer in church.

Some people in the audience seem transfixed by the proceedings, like they are having a spiritual experience. It is interesting because in some ways that is exactly what I am trying to do. I am trying to give my energy, my emotion, my very all, to try to transcend the physical by a sheer act of willful surrender to the moment, to create a transcendent moment in time. I am sacrificing myself for the greater good to create a special, timeless happening. I try to give my best in the belief that whether it is good or not, the performance will be uplifting by sheer acts of will and surrender. Even in a nightclub the musical experience can and should be spiritual. Because everything is, or can be”¦

After the show Sophia Nelson came to me to say that she could feel our positive energy from the moment we hit the stage and she was moved by it. She said that pure musical energy could not be faked; and she and I agreed on that point. She is a beautiful lady with a beautiful spirit. We talked for a few minutes and shared smiles. She said the next time she comes to see us she would have on a Plunky tee shirt.

One older French woman came both nights, bought a different tee shirt each night and wore them both, one on top of the other. One guy asked me when we would be coming back to perform in Paris and when I told him maybe as soon as April or May he literally skipped out of the club, like he was a kid and I had given him a small toy or piece of candy.

Tonya and Chyp talked about a woman in the audience near the end of the show that proceeded to strip her clothes off and security had to come to stop her. After the show when I cam out of the dressing room carrying two pairs of jeans a young women grabbed one pair and she and I were in a tug of war. She would not let go and I was determined to hold on to them because they belonged to the jeans company that was one of the sponsors and they had asked for the extra pairs to be returned. The girl even held on with her teeth. Then while holding on to the jeans with all her might with one hand, she proceeded to take off her pants, stripping down to her skimpy panties. So of course, at that point I let her have the sponsor’s jeans. But when she put on the contested jeans they were way too large for her narrow hips. But I knew that they would be. She put her own pants back on while I and the few other people still in the place gave her a round of applause.

The ride back to the hotel was in the flyest car I have ever been in. It was a black Mercedes-Benz limo that had been tricked out with $35,000 in extra accessories, including 22 channel televisions with 5.1 surround sound, individual temp controlled air-conditioning for each seat, Champaign bar, and assorted other high-tech goodies. What a ride! The driver made three trips back and forth to shuttle us to the hotel. The band was gassed and so impressed. A fitting end to the night.

The soundman gave me CD’s of the night’s performance and I started listening to it on headphones in my room. I was mesmerized by the sound and the grooves we had pumped out at the club. I stayed up until after 4:00 AM listening to it. I had a hard time falling asleep even then, replaying “Hop Skip & A Jump” in my head and silently writing new lyrics to the groove.

The next morning, Friday, I woke at 8:00 AM but lay in bed with my eyes closed trying to get rest even if I didn’t get more sleep. I got the continental breakfast downstairs and came back to the room to get ready for a video interview at noon. The interview went well and we had the rest of the day free. That afternoon I roamed around with Jamiah in the neighborhood shopping. We bought some hip Italian casual shoes and had Kentucky Fried Chicken for lunch. The KFC was the Blackest place in town, filled with Africans of all persuasions from the front door to the behind the counter staff. Chicken is the universal Black food.

Tonya stayed in and rested all day. Muzi, Carl and Jozack went sightseeing and Jamiah, Chyp and I went out on our own excursion. The weather was autumnal, but not at all unpleasant. We walked a couple of miles, then took a bus downtown to the Lafayette Galleries department stores area and did some shopping. There were bustling crowds shopping and sightseeing and watching the elaborate kinetic Christmas displays in the department store windows. We walked around some more, and then we took the Metro over to the Champs d”Elysee for more sightseeing and shopping and a lot more walking.
I was cold and tired and my knees were aching from pounding the cold hard pavement but it was rewarding because I know that Chyp and Jamiah were having their first Paris experience and I was happy to be their host and guide.

Finally, we decided to come back to the hotel around 9:30. We took the metro but got off at a stop that wasn’t the closest one to our hotel, which meant we had to walk several more blocks. Chyp hadn’t eaten and Jamiah hunted up a Chinese restaurant that turned out to be great; or at least it seemed quite good to us at that moment.


· New Guestbook Entry on our Website - added Fri, 5 Dec 2008 5:50:08am EST:
Name: Ben Still'a
Comment:

Dude, guys, yesterday in Paris you simply FUNKED THE SHIT OUT'A ME!!!!
I think it's the grooviest stuff I've ever seen on stage, seriously it was MIND BLOWING.
I really really, really don't understand why the New Morning wasn't fully booked... THAT is unacceptable!
Anyway we were there and we had sooo much pleasure feeling your groove.
PLUS I'm a BIG fan of the old-school Chuck Bown style GOGO swings you gave us all night, that was the best thing ever.
Hope you come back very soon in Paris. Peace.


We are leaving here at 9:00 AM in the morning to get to the train station for our 11:00 AM high speed train to Montpellier in the south of France; so I told everyone to pack before going to bed. I finally got to bed around midnight and slept only an hour and a half before waking up and not being able to get back to sleep until after 5:30 AM! I worried that I was blowing my chance to get enough rest before the gig that night. I was also coming down with a cold, with a sore throat and I was praying that I wasn’t going to have any major physical problems for the final gig of the tour.

Tonya’s call woke me up at 8:30 AM and that gave me just enough time to shower, shave and get a quick cup of tea before the driver arrived. Of course he was right on time so I was rushed. It took two trips in the van to get all of us and our luggage and instruments to the train station. Then we had an hour’s wait before boarding the high-speed train to Montpellier. Of course, our train car was the absolute farthest down the track from the station so we had to walk forever, hauling all our gear to it.

Once we got on board, the ride was really out of sight. Our seats were on the upper deck of the train, which afforded us the best views of the French countryside as we sped across the farmlands and through the occasional small town. The three-hour ride was smooth and pleasurable. I got a nap. Muzi took pictures. Carl talked to Reynald. We all had something to eat. The sun was out. And before too long we arrived in Montpellier where the weather was delightful and our spirits were lifted.



Matthew, our driver for the day, met us at the station in a van large enough to carry all of us and all our gear. We went to the hotel, got settled in and I got him to take me to the pharmacy to buy some cold medication. An hour and a half later we went to the venue for sound check.

Le Jam is a hot club. It is a concrete venue with a small amphitheater layout. The sound system is super and the engineers really know what they are doing. We had a really good sound check and everybody was feeling like we would have a good show. After sound check I did a taped interview with Ann, a young woman from Barcelona, which is surprisingly only three hours away by car. After that we all had a really good meal at the venue. We had great red wine, a salad, French bread, and a roast duck and gravy over rice; followed by cheese and more wine and capped with apple pear pie and coffee. We were stuffed and ready for a serious nap. But there was not enough for one of those before the show.

By 8:00 PM here were already people lined up outside so we had a really good house when the doors opened. But the time we went on stage at 9:50 the place was full. It turned out to be not a good crowd, but an excellent one, definitely the best one this week. But then, it was a Saturday night, the weather was good and the people were ready for some funk. And we gave it to them!

Our show went extremely well. We were hot! The audience was pressed right up to the edge of the stage and the room pulsated with our grooves. They screamed and cheered more and more with each song. Our show flowed nicely and built in intensity and funkiness as the first set ended with them cheering for more.

This performance was a hot example of what I have been saying for years: if we could just get to do our regular good shows that we do at home, in Europe, we could be an international smash hit. This was like one of our good shows at Martini Kitchen: hot and funky with good dynamics and making people move; but with this time with the French fans going bonkers.

We did the second set and the audience was even more into it, cheering our every musical move. That only encouraged us to do more until it was better than a regular show; it became a series of really special musical moments. We did two encores, the second only after we had been in the dressing room and they continued screaming for more for almost 10 minutes. We had to do it. And even after that, they wanted more. We made lots of fans tonight. No doubt about it. We made converts.

They seemed to love us collectively and individually. They cheered and whooped and hollered for all of us. They really dug Chyp singing “Just Know That I Love You,” and Tonya doing “Nevertheless” and her hip-hop rap. They dug Muzi and Fire and Jozack holding down the grooves and making things funky. But they really loved Carl’s rhythm and lead guitar work. Carl was sizzling and when he went out into the audience and played, they went wild!

I think they liked me too! I think they appreciated my energy and my role as the leader of Plunky’s band.

The repertoire and the pace of the show were nearly perfect. We have great original songs plus we quote or touch on enough cover songs that the combination creates a show that is both new and familiar at the same time. The lyrical content and comments about politics, positive vibrations and spiritually is uplifting food for thought and a powerful concoction is created when added to the group’s musicianship and tightness. Our committed energy mixing with that of an audience that’s really into it creates a synergy that is more powerful than the sum of its parts.

After the show we had to sign autographs on posters. We had fans that kissed my hands. The people who promoted the show and who worked in the venue were sincere in their accolades. People thought it was a great show. We did a photo session, drank wine, and packed up our stuff while people continued to express extreme gratitude for our show. Ann, the young deejay from Barcelona, said she hoped to try to get us a gig in Spain.

· New Guestbook Entry on our Website - added Sun, 7 Dec 2008 7:19:58am EST:
Name: Paulie
Comment:

Hi Plunkers!!!! We were at yesterday's concert in Montpeller!!!! It was absolutely fantastic!!!! I loved every minute of it, it took me way back to my funking roots!!! 3 hours of simple aural pleasure!!! thank you so much, for your energy, your talent and your music!!! Looking forward to seeing you guys again!! love plunks!!!


Bruno, the head of the Cosmic Groove productions team who brought us to Montpellier seemed genuinely pleased with both the show and the full house. One downer was that we didn’t sell any CD’s. I had mailed a box of 30 CD’s to Bruno so we would have some to sell at the gig and so I wouldn’t have to carry them with my luggage. The box hadn’t been delivered to him until this morning, but he didn’t bring the CD’s to the club tonight. So although I kept telling the audience from the stage to “buy two of my CD’s, one for yourself and one for your mama!” and people wanted to buy them, there were none to be had. That’s so crazy because my gross revenues for the Paris shows was reduced by 20%, so the 400 Euros from the sales here at Le Jam would have been welcomed.

But the good news from Bruno is that Cosmic Groove is doing a major festival here on the Riviera at an outdoor amphitheater right by the Mediterranean in August and he wants us to play at it. That would be so hot and really cool!

We got back to the hotel at 2:45 AM and the driver is supposed to come at 5:15 AM so we have said we might as well stay up. I am typing this blog. It’s 4:00 AM now. Tonya and Chyp have taken showers and I guess I will get the others up around 4:30. We have 23 hours of traveling and layovers to do before we get back home to Richmond on Sunday night at 9:00 PM. Then we have a gig in DC on Tuesday at the Zanzibar Club, a Xmas party for a group of Black lawyers. I hope I get lots of rest before then.



Our trip back home was one of my most arduous ever. The flights, the layovers and delays made for 23 hours of rest broken, butt-numbing tedium.

We left the hotel right on time at 5:15 AM and got the to the Montpellier Airport and went through the 45 minute process of getting us all checked in and our luggage checked through to Richmond. But the ticketing for three of us could not be confirmed from Paris to the states, so we had to do that in Paris.

When we got to the Paris Airport we had to go all around Robinhood’s Barn to get our tickets and boarding passes straight and to get to the right terminal and gate. Though that took us an hour, we still had four more hours to kill before the next flight at 1:00 PM. We napped, shopped, snacked, napped some more, medicated my increasingly bad cold, and dealt with the boredom and discomfort of the airport waiting area.

We finally boarded the Paris to Newark flight right on time. But once on the plane, we heard the pilot announce that we would be parked at the gate for one hour and the seven-hour flight would take eight hours and 40 minutes due to strong head winds. While it was long, the flight wasn’t that uncomfortable, because it wasn’t full and each of us were beside at least one empty seat.

When we landed in Newark for what would have been a three hour layover, we had only a little over one hour to get through customs, recheck our bags and get to another terminal for the flight to Richmond. But before we could get through customs all their computers shut down, so we spent and anxious 30 minutes in that line and then had to rush to claim our bags. Muzi and Carl couldn’t find theirs, so I rushed Tonya, Chyp, Fire, and Jozack on ahead. We found the bags and literally make a mad dash to the train to get to the next terminal, get through security and get to the right gate, with 10 whole minutes to spare.

Once on this the final plane we had to wait parked at the gate for 45 more minutes due to high winds and the back up of delayed planes. When we finally got back to Richmond, we were extremely happy to be home, however one of Muzi’s bags and Fire’s suitcase with his MPC instruments did not arrive. But those were delivered to our houses in the middle of the night.



It may be hard for people who are not directly involved to realize how much planning and effort that goes into even a short tour like this one. I think even some musicians themselves would be amazed. I my case I have been working with Reynald for over 10 — 15 years, aiming to do dates in France, in a relationship that started with him distributing some of my recordings both here in the US, Japan and Europe. This tour was the third time in the last five years he and his friend, Samy, have promoted shows for us in France. In other words it took five years and a lot of perseverance to get the first gig over there.

For this tour we started planning nine months in advance, so it was like giving birth. There were lots of negotiations, emails, international calls, sending music, photos, web links, renegotiations, development of sponsors (like Edwin Jeans), working with publicists, journalists and photographers, arranging accommodations, airline tickets, flight changes, advertising, ticket sales, instrument and equipment needs, developing the repertoire, rehearsing the show, etc.

Then there are also the language and cultural differences. The French are often very excitable, argumentative, proud, edgy, and a little combative, even with each other, so any little misunderstanding can quickly escalate into a battle. A medium size change might mean war. Promoters in general think that their part is the most important and everything comes in second place after money, PR and ticket sales.

But artists are the ones who make sacrifices of time, money, family relations and many other things to create music and put on a show. In preparing for this Drive It Tour of France we contended with: producing and shipping CDs’, passport problems, threatened house foreclosures, major medical issues involving hospital stays, personnel changes, family issues, day job scheduling, luggage lost and found, diet and allergies, hang-ups, arrests and court appearances; and all manner of human interest stories and spin-offs.

On past tours I have kept notes and journals cataloguing the coincidences and synchronicities that happen along the way; noting how much luck, and how many interventions and blessings that happen just when needed to allow things to proceed as desired. These days I have also been realizing how much depends on my own efforts, my own planning, my marketing efforts, my sense of purpose and willingness to persevere and get the jobs done. If you don’t sow, you won’t reap. If you don’t dream, pray and work; you are less likely to achieve, acquire and inspire.

Gotta keep Moving”¦]]> http://plunkyone.com/news.html#16 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800 J. PLUNKY BRANCH & ONENESS (OF JUJU) - PLUNKY & ONENESS - News & Journals http://plunkyone.com/news.html#14
The CD takes off with the up tempo title song “Drive It,” a hypnotic instrumental groove with classic hit potential amongst urban radio and club audiences alike. Next, Plunky brings back a 80's inspired Euro-retro-dance sound with “Gotta Keep Moving,” followed by the horn driven party starter “Every Way But Loose,” a remake of his 1982 release, which charted in both the US and London. Plunky also pays homage to the Mid-Atlantic Go-Go sound with a medley of DC flavored songs like “Life — You’re Full Of It” and “A Swing In Everything.” In addition to jazzed out instrumentals there are also funkafied teasers like “Toy Box”, which is playful and risqué ala Cameo; and, “Synchrofunkinicity,” a Parliamentonic diatribe with a nasty low end.

Drive It is a musical voyage of rhythmic styles: vocal and instrumental; smooth but pumped up; diverse yet consistently moving”¦ This album is chock full of strong grooves destined to become urban radio and club faves.

Nationally syndicated radio host Michael Baisden and other urban and jazz deejays made Plunky’s “Drop” the urban-contemporary jazz song of 2007. Drive It will solidify Plunky’s place in the forefront of the new urban music scene. Plunky is already planning an East Coast promotional tour, festival dates in the US and Europe, in addition to highly anticipated club dates in his hometown of Richmond, VA.

Plunky has released 25 albums in his 40-year career. Drive It proves he knows how to shift gears and keep it moving.]]> http://plunkyone.com/news.html#14 Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700 J. PLUNKY BRANCH & ONENESS (OF JUJU) - PLUNKY & ONENESS - News & Journals http://plunkyone.com/news.html#13
SYNDICATED URBAN TALK AND MUSIC RADIO SHOW



Veteran saxophonist, J. Plunky Branch, known to thousands of progressive jazz fans simply as “Plunky” is a prolific, versatile, and eternally youthful composer and performer who has been making audiences groove since the early 1970’s from his hometown of Richmond, VA to London and Paris. Plunky is making millions of new fans everyday via the airplay his song “Drop” is receiving on Michael Baisden’s nationally syndicated urban talk and music radio show.



“Drop,” the ultra-funky instrumental opening track on Plunky’s Cold Heat CD, is turning up the heat across the country. The song was produced by Danja Mowf, whose credits include Aaliyah and Missy Elliot. Incredibly, “Drop” is based on a sample taken from Plunky’s own “African Rhythms,” a tune that shot him to soul-jazz stardom in Europe over 30 years ago, in 1975. With “Drop’s” daily airplay on The Michael Baisden Show, Plunky is reaching 55 small and mass-market urban stations throughout the U.S. Baisden’s staff acknowledges that “Drop” is show’s most requested song. The track’s growing popularity is generating sales and critical acclaim, and it earned Plunky and his group a coveted engagement on the 2007 Capital Jazz Super Cruise along with Boney James, Pieces of a Dream, Lalah Hathaway, Ledisi, Sinbad and over 2,000 partying jazz fans.



Plunky is a charismatic bandleader who commands the stage with the same intensity whether he and his group, Plunky & Oneness, are performing for ten people or 10,000. The group has opened for legends like Ray Charles, Patti Labelle, Earth, Wind & Fire, LL Cool J, the Yellowjackets and B.B. King. Back home in Richmond, VA Plunky is an institution. When he’s not touring, the saxman jams on weekends to SRO crowds at the city’s swanky Martini Kitchen and Bubble Bar. He keeps the energy high, the beats funky and the melodies cool and jazzy.



Plunky’s catalog of 24 previous releases includes ventures into jazz, funk, world beat, gospel and “Nubian age music,” his term for some of his bluesier sax meditation projects. On Cold Heat, his 25th album released on his N.A.M.E. Brand Records, Plunky blows hard and sings about life, love and the pursuit of the groove with lyrics that teach, soar and inspire. The album’s slamming hip-hop tracks are a fresh new twist to Plunky’s repertoire, largely because they were produced by Setworkrz, the Virginia-based production duo with the Dirty South address and the international flavor. Setworkrz is composed of Plunky’s son, Jamiah “Fire” Branch, and partner, Al Dokes. The two young producers are generating hip-hop beats so hot that rappers, singers, moviemakers and television producers clamor for Setworkrz tracks and krunk grooves.



Cold Heat is a long awaited family affair for Plunky and Jamiah, who has added unique hip-hop magic to Plunky’s live performances for the past three years. This collaboration represents a milestone in Plunky’s colorful career, from being a studio musician for TV’s top-rated “The Cosby Show” to scoring a Top Ten Soul chart hit in London with “Every Way But Loose.”

Recently there have been more and more high profile Plunky concert dates including performances at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC with Wyclef Jean, Shaggy and Jimmy Cliff, and a show in Richmond with Go-go master Chuck Brown that drew 15,000.



Plunky’s extensive European touring has taken him to England, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Recent performances in France led to the release of Plunky’s highly praised DVD project titled Plunky & Oneness of Juju Live In Paris. Plunky has also traveled to Brazil and to Cuba twice to research and produce music recordings and a documentary film, Under the Radar: A Survey of Afro-Cuban Music.]]> http://plunkyone.com/news.html#13 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800 J. PLUNKY BRANCH & ONENESS (OF JUJU) - PLUNKY & ONENESS - News & Journals http://plunkyone.com/news.html#11
“Drop” to Receive National Distribution

Liaison Distribution, home of R&B, jazz, gospel, and Washington, DC Go-Go groups, including Chuck Brown, recently reached out to us in response to strong demand and continuing airplay of “Drop” in the Washington/Baltimore, Virginia and Atlanta markets. Our discussions have led to a national distribution agreement with Liaison assuring that the growing demand for our Cold Heat CD can be met through all types of retail outlets. Our agreement with Liaison Distribution will also make available our N.A.M.E. Brand Records back catalogue of 20 albums by Plunky & Oneness including early classics by Oneness of Juju. We are pleased to be associated with this renowned music distributor. Liaison Distribution can be contacted at 9435 Washington Blvd., Suite M, Laurel, MD 20723, 1-800-841-6201.
* * *

Plunky & Oneness will be appearing at the Capital Jazz Festival at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD on Sunday, June 3. The Capital city Jazz festival is one of the biggest smooth jazz festivals in the world and the group is excited to be a part of this major music event.

Plunky & Oneness will extend our long-term performance run at the Martini Kitchen & Bubble Bar, 1911 W. Main Street in Richmond, VA through the end of 2007. Unless we are touring or appearing in concert elsewhere, the group appears at the club every other Friday and Saturday nights beginning at 9:30 PM, rocking the beautiful people with progressive funk, jazz and hipness.

On March 31, 2007 Plunky & Oneness performed at the African-American Trailblazers Awards at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Honorees included Maya Angelou, Jessie Jackson, Mayor Douglas Wilder, Tim and Daphne Reid, Willie Lanier and Dr. Johnnetta Cole, among others. In addition to performing during dinner Plunky & Oneness performed a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald as she was honored posthumously. Two days later the group performed for the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus annual reception hosted by Chairman Delegate Dwight C. Jones. The event was attended by members of the legislature, Governor Tim Kaine and over 150 business and community leaders.

Plunky’s Documentary “Under The Radar - A Survey of Afro-Cuban Music” was screened and discussed at the 2007 Joint Conference of the National Popular Culture and American Culture Associations, April 4 — 7 in Boston. The film then moves on for screenings in Vancouver, Canada April 12 — 14.

Setworkrz, the prolific production duo of Plunky’s son Jamiah "Fire" Branch and Al Dokes, continue to produce slamming hip-hop and R& B tracks. They have a library of 12 CD’s including over 200 beats and instrumentals. So if you are in need of backing tracks for raps, or songs for your next album, or if you are in need of music for your film or television show, contact Setworkrz by email to plunkyb@aol.com and we’ll hook you up with the most up-to-date, melodious, magical beat-songs.
* * *
Plunky and Oneness continues to garner attention and activity through its online presence at the following web sites:

www.plunkyone.com
www.cdbaby.com/cd/plunky10
www.myspace.com/plunkyandoneness

Here are comments from buyers of Cold Heat through our CDBaby page:

Awesome!!!!
Reviewer: P. H.
I had to have the CD for DROP!!! It turns out the entire CD is HOT!!

Who is Plunky?
Reviewer: BigSniz
Had never heard of Plunky until I heard the cut "Drop". Man I went on an immediate search. This CD is straight up TIGHT! Get it while it's hot, but I think it will be hot for a long time.

I knew I had to have this CD the very first time I heard "Drop"!.
Reviewer: C. P.
What a groove!!!! You will never forgive yourself if you miss out on buying this CD.

Well Alrighty NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reviewer: M. M. C.
Hey Plunky, You did it AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!! This CD is righteous. I love it. Please keep up the good work. Keep Richmond on the musical map.

Wonderful
Reviewer: L. W.
This is a wonderful CD, varied and played with real talent. Thank you!

Buy This Album!!! It's Outrageously Good!!!
Reviewer: Mo
Cold Heat gets constant play on my stereo because the songs are absolutely moving. I LOVE dancing to the entire album. Songs like Drop, Does Everybody Do It, and Hop, Skip & a Jump have an extra sexy vibe that gets the party goin'. Hollar Back and Why Don't You Love Me are deeply touching and the latter has moved me to tears more than once. That's some raw pain y'all! But it hurts so good 8-) I just love it! Do your self a favor and pick this one up. It's the complete package with strong sexy vocals, soulful deep lyrics, bold and vicious beats...all blended into a rich, funky, stunning work of art. 8-)

Drop is hot!!
Reviewer: Ange
Song #1 Drop is hotter than my morning cup of coffee. Love the new CD.

Email from L. N. J.
Plunky, your music is phenomenal! I absolutely love it! The Cold Heat CD has a little bit of everything for all types of dance! I have given that particular CD out as gifts to at least 4 people!
* * *

Well, that’s it for this time. Have a great spring”¦]]> http://plunkyone.com/news.html#11 Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700 J. PLUNKY BRANCH & ONENESS (OF JUJU) - PLUNKY & ONENESS - News & Journals http://plunkyone.com/news.html#10
In this issue:
· Plunky & Oneness On the Airwaves
· Oneness Gigs and Appearances
· Plunky Lectures and Screenings
· Sales and Projects
· My View from the Stage

Plunky & Oneness On the Airwaves
A video clip from our Plunky & Oneness of Juju — Live In Paris DVD is being featured on “Straight Ahead,” the jazz show on US cable television station BET J, based in Washington, DC. At the same time, WHUR-FM and other DC area radio stations have been airing our ultra-funky song “Drop” from our recently released Cold Heat CD. It is always gratifying when our jazz and funk is broadcast to the masses, but it is even more rewarding when our fans and friends call and email, sharing their excitement about hearing and seeing us on radio and TV. Funk you very much!

Oneness Gigs and Appearances
After many requests from loyal locals (and following in the steps of Prince, Celine Dion and Gladys Knight who all have regular shows in Las Vegas) Plunky & Oneness have booked an ongoing club gig in our hometown, Richmond, VA. For the 2007 winter-spring season we will be appearing two weekends a month at the Martini Kitchen and Bubble Bar, where on Fridays and Saturdays the beautiful, hip music lovers and people-watchers “Drop” by and party with us. (Next dates: March 9, 10, 23, April 6, 7, 20, 21)

Juggling our schedule to make a regular gig happen is challenging because of our Mid-Atlantic touring and the increasing demand for lectures, speaking engagements and film screenings. Recently Plunky & Oneness performed for a youth leadership conference in Pittsburgh, PA and for Black History Month programs at Virginia Union University and several Virginia public schools.
Plunky Lectures and Screenings
Plunky’s Black History Month lectures included a presentation at First Baptist Church in Richmond and culminates with engagements at the NASA Goddard Space Center in Maryland (February 26), and a lecture on the topic “Jazz and the Black Arts Movement — An Inside View” at the University of Louisville (Kentucky) on March 5.

Screenings and lecture-discussions of my documentary film, Under The Radar - A Survey of Afro-Cuban Music will be presented at Virginia State University on February 21 and at the national conference of the American Culture Association in Boston, Massachusetts on April 5.

I attended and spoke at the Urban Film Series - Night of Film, Poetry, Jazz, and Awards
Honoring Jazz Legend Roy Ayers at the Bohemian Caverns club in DC on February 8.

I was recently the featured artist in the Virginia Commonwealth University Hospital System “Musicians On Call” series, performing soprano sax solos in patient treatment and family waiting areas of the hospital complex. The overwhelmingly positive response to this program has led to a commission to work with the hospital’s music therapist to produce a CD of healing music. I have also been contracted to produce video and multimedia displays for the hospital’s plasma message screens. These projects expand the possibilities and visions for our music and video productions.

Speaking of video: The two music videos for the song “Drop” produced in Richmond and directed by Patrick Mamou of the The Management Group are posted online at AOL Uncut Videos, at YouTube.com and at MySpace.com. The music videos have been viewed over 20,000 times, giving exposure to the song and to some of our local beautiful and fly young models, actors and performers.

Sales & Projects
Retail and online sales remain strong for the Cold Heat CD and the Under The Radar - A Survey of Afro-Cuban Music DVD and the internationally distributed Live in Paris DVD, which includes a bonus interview documentary with footage of Dr. Martin Luther King, James Brown, Pharaoh Sanders, Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, Fela Kuti and scenes of West Africa. Also available from our private stock of DVD’s is a new, unreleased compilation of 16 Plunky & Oneness music videos and travelogues, perfect for archivists and collectors.

I recently produced and performed on a recording with Ghanaian master percussionist Asante, playing religious hymns over traditional African talking drums to be used at funeral services in Ghana. I am often called on to perform solos at home-going services at churches and funeral homes here in the US, and I am honored that people request my renditions at those times which are so emotional, spiritual, intimate and meaningful to their families.

My Personal View from the Stage

As I approach my 60th birthday, and perhaps because in recent weeks we have seen the passing of so many musicians and performers, (James Brown, Billy Preston, Barry White, Levert, Ruth Brown, Alice Coltrane, among others) I have more of a sense of urgency to do more, increase my output, produce, perform, write, dream. Even though I have been doing this music thing for over 35 years, “Lord, I ain’t no ways tired!” Being busy is a good thing. And these days if you are not too busy, then maybe you are not doing enough or, at least, you could be doing more.

In closing, I want to remind you of the important role that you play as patron, audience member and supporter of the arts. Your impact is felt, not only when you spend your dollars, but also when you participate and engage. So next time you have the opportunity don’t hesitate to clap, say amen or cheer.

We invite your ideas your feedback, suggestions and referrals.

In these times when there is a more urgent need than ever for positive images and positive music, I am inspired by your support and your insights. Thanks for sharing.

Wisdom, Peace and Love Through Music,
Plunky]]> http://plunkyone.com/news.html#10 Thu, 22 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800 J. PLUNKY BRANCH & ONENESS (OF JUJU) - PLUNKY & ONENESS - News & Journals http://plunkyone.com/news.html#6 J. Plunky Branch is a world-class saxophonist, songwriter, and producer who for over 35 years has been making some of the most avant-garde Afro-jazz funk on the planet. His recordings are collections of the widest range of progressive Black music, like John Coltrane jamming with George Clinton and P-Funk.
On Cold Heat, his 21st album, Plunky is still blowing his horn and he is now also singing his songs about life, love and the pursuit of the groove. With lyrics that teach, soar and inspire, Plunky’s songs on Cold Heat elevate, caress, and inform slamming hip-hop rhythm tracks produced by Setworkrz, the Virginia-based production duo with the Dirty South address and the international flavor.
Setworkrz is composed of Plunky’s son, Jamiah “Fire” Branch, and his partner, Al Dokes. These two young producers prolifically generate hip-hop beats so hot that rappers, singers, writers, moviemakers, and television producers all clamor for Setworkrz tracks and the krunk grooves they embody.
It was Fire who suggested that he and Plunky should do a father and son project and essentially Cold Heat is the result of that idea and lots of collaborative production work. Plunky wrote or co-wrote the songs and all the lyrics, then produced the recordings, soliciting the assistance of his longtime band mates: vocalists Tonya Lazenby-Jackson, Charlayne "Chyp" Page, Monica Jackson; bassists P. Muzi Branch and Ken Friend; keyboardists Howard Boisseau and Devon Jefferson; guitarists John Jackson, Ras Mel Glover and Carl Lester El; and drummer of Corey Burch; in addition to hip-hop producer A. Danja Mowf Maples
Like those who’ve inspired him, including Carlos Santana, Maceo Parker, George Duke, George Clinton, Herbie Hancock, and so many others, Plunky is a veteran in the mold of the ageless bluesmen who continue to play as long as they have something to say. Plunky is a jazzman who is known for his multi-faceted musical interests and who has often ventured into the realm of funk to express what is the life of the party or to explore the politics of the times.
Versatility and boundless energy is reflected in his output. Plunky continues to tour, performing in festivals, clubs, concerts, studios, schools, on television, and church. Earlier this year Ways2Move of France released the Plunky & Oneness of Juju Live in Paris concert and documentary DVD. Plunky regularly lecturers on the history of Black music, runs his own record label, oversees his son’s hip-hop productions, travels internationally and he produces music videos and film, including the award-winning documentary, Under The Radar - A Survey of Afro-Cuban Music.
Like much of Plunky’s ongoing work, Cold Heat rolls right along the cutting edge. It is a compilation of songs about love, aspirations and time shifts between yesterdays, tomorrows, and enjoying the moment.]]> http://plunkyone.com/news.html#6 Sat, 28 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700 J. PLUNKY BRANCH & ONENESS (OF JUJU) - PLUNKY & ONENESS - News & Journals http://plunkyone.com/news.html#8
Saxophonist J. Plunky Branch his legendary group Oneness of Juju perform their innovative blend of jazz, R&B, hip-hop, funk and traditional African music in this concert recorded live at Paris’s New Morning jazz club. A bonus documentary reveals Plunky’s lifelong commitment to social justice by chronicling his involvement with the 1960’s civil rights and anti-war movements.

Reviews:
- Plunky and Oneness of Juju offer an extra funky live set in this release of a concert originally captured live in November of 2004. A twenty-two song set list including "Space Jungle Luv", "Be About the Future", "Got to Move Something", "World Wide Party", and "Every Way but Loose", ensures that the funk keeps coming as the party gets started, and an additional interview with Plunky himself, as well as a documentary on the man, offers a little something extra for the die-hard fan. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

- One of the best recordings we've heard in years from saxophonist Plunky Branch -- and one of the few to really capture the glory of his 70s classics with Oneness Of Juju! Given the billing of this set, it's clear that the older soul jazz spirit of Oneness is very strong in the conception of the set -- and the live performance features many classics from the group's 70s albums on Black Fire, played here with a good live energy and a strong sense of soul”¦

- I wasn't familiar with this artist before the purchase. Just saw the name around and heard one song. Heard this was a good package. It's great! The concert part is 1 hour and 40 minutes. Plunky and the Oneness take you on a great musical journey. The band is tight: these are pros! The filming was on point. There is also a bonus documentary, which runs about 30 minutes. Very informative and keeps your attention. If you like Doug Carn, Fertile Ground, Fela Kuti or any uplifting music, then this must be in your collection! — Reviewer Elphonics, USA

For further information: N.A.M.E. Brand Records, 2218 Rosewood Avenue, Richmond, VA 23220, 804-355-3586, www.plunkyone.com, Email: plunkyb@aol.com]]> http://plunkyone.com/news.html#8 Mon, 18 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0700 J. PLUNKY BRANCH & ONENESS (OF JUJU) - PLUNKY & ONENESS - News & Journals