FUNKALLEROS

Formed in 2004 by multi-faceted, multi-instrumentalist/composer Argentinian/Australian, award winning artist Abraham Dunovits, who lives and works in Fremantle, Western Australia, Funkalleros have been playing locally at selected venues such as the contemporary World music venue Kulcha, but the band shines in open air festivals. Abe was born in Argentina and grew up in Spain, soaking up the music as he went along, studying in the local "tablaos" where flamenco music was played in Madrid and going to see rock concerts at night. He has lived and worked in Australia since 1989. He is a musical virtuoso on string instruments but self-taught.

Abe, apart from having a very successful visual arts career as a painter and sculptor since 1994, has extensive experience in the music business since 1991, as a composer, in live settings and recording, in many styles, from his beginnings in Perth original indie rock bands in the early nineties such as Rosie's Kitchen, The Whitlam Years and Spooky to the community conscious Latin American ensemble Malembe, also contributing with his own songs. He released recordings with Rosie's Kitchen, TWY (Poonshead Studio Perth) and Spooky (one EP and one album also recorded at Poonshead) and recorded part of the first Funkalleros album with Sean O'Callahan (John Butler Trio) Abe has lead the most successful Big Band Salsa and Latin jazz group Sabroson since 2000, has played bass for the hi-power Zimbabwean band Shangara Jive for over 5 years, does regular gigs with Senegalese drumming master Ziggy Djane (ex Babaa Maal dancer and coreographer) and plays sessions for film and TV. Abe has played support gigs for a variety of Australian artists in the early nineties, such as Tommy Emmanuel, Deborah Conway, and international artists such as Yossou N'dour in 2005, Oliver Mtukudzi (Tuku) in 2007 and 2008. Abe has played in all the major musical venues in Western Australia and Melbourne and has played in innumerable outdoor festivals.

Funkalleros won the 2008 WAM Best Song of the Year prize in the category of Mixed Bag. They were finalists in the Next Big Thing band competition in 2005 and finalists in the WAM song of the Year competition in 2007 for their song "Upside Down". They were included in the International West Coast Blues and Roots Festival in Fremantle in 2008 amongst artists such as John Fogerty, Ozomatli, Jools Holland and Seasick Steve. Abe is a 2011 Apra Professional Development Awards finalist.

The aim of Funkalleros is not only to create original music from the heart that has resonance in the Australian multi-ethnic community, sending a message of love, hope and understanding for people of all races and countries, but also to make people move and have a good time.

Funkalleros live is a highly energetic experience of original sound with rock, blues, jazz, funk, reggae, Spanish rumba styles and Latin American Mestizo roots. Abe's charismatic on-stage presence leads the band into any situation and engages the audience to join in the fun. Funkalleros is also a family affair having Abe's brother German on Timbales, Croatian born Mario Horvat on bass and vocals, trumpet player Adrian Hicks from the great Chameleon Brass Band, Suryo on saxophone, Colombian rhythm rebel Oslu Castaneda on congas and percussion and the very talented Nina Henschel on flute and vocals.

Funkalleros are many things, but you can't just pinpoint one particular style because it's many styles put together. It is unique in Australia for its blend of styles and influences as well as an encyclopedic variety of well crafted songs. If we talk about what influences the writing of the songs it can be as varied as it can be, from Pixies-like indie rock to out-there Jazz ; from Croatian folklore to The Clash from; Miles Davis to Funkadelic; from Led Zeppelin to Manu Chao and back: from the three Kings of Blues (Albert, BB and Freddie) to Fania Records; from the bottom of the heart of Latin America protest song to South of the Border, passing through Fremantle to the red dust of the Outback. But influences aside, Funkalleros is a unique band.

ABE HAS RELOCATED TO MELBOURNE TO CONTINUE HIS WORK WITH FUNKALLEROS AND SOLO PROJECTS.