Prime Time Funk
Fairport, New York, United States
Music
Press
“Put some of the best rhythm players in Rochester together with the best horns, add vocalist Ronnie Leigh and the production of Jeff Tyzik, and you have Rochester’s answer to Tower of Power: Prime Time Funk.” - City Newspaper
“I really enjoyed the group’s version of “Never Make Your Move Too Soon.” The groove, the vocals and the intensity melded the funk and the grease into a down home stew. I could smell it! Good luck guys and keep it smellin’!”
-Stix Hooper:
Co-Writer of “Never Make Your Move Too Soon” & founding member of The Jazz Crusaders
- Stix Hooper
“It's always a pleasure to start off this column giving kudos to a great band! That group, Prime Time Funk, will be celebrating nine years together on Saturday, April 2 (7-9pm) at Milestones, the place where it all began. As singer/songwriter and tenor saxophonist Jimmy Richmond recalls, "We built up a following right away by playing regular Tuesday nights at Milestones." Richmond co-founded the ten-piece powerhouse with bassist, Ralph Ortiz, and are joined by some of Rochester's most respected players like drummer Dave Cohen, guitarist Joe Chiappone, and keyboardist Andy Calabrese, along with a phenomenal horn section made up of Vince Ercolamento, Ron D'Angelo, Derrick Lipp and Dean Keller, and featuring the stellar pipes of vocalist Ronnie Leigh. Bringing the funk to disc, PTF released their fine debut, Ready & Willing, five years ago, and have performed at major festivals here and across the globe in support. Congrats to a band that can always get a party started”!
-Michelle Picardo
Freetime Magazine 3/30/05 - Freetime Magazine
“Prime Time Funk has the tightest and funkiest horn section in Upstate New York. Fronted by vocalist Ronnie Leigh, the band includes top Rochester musicians: drummer David Cohen, keyboardist Andy Calabrese, and saxophonist Vince Ercolamento. One listen to Ready and Willing, produced by Jeff Tyzik, is all it takes to know that this group can tear it up with the best of them.” - City Newspaper
"Friday’s concert also featured Prime Time Funk. The group is a sort of jazzy Tower of Power, and it effectively mixed rock, soul and the wordy rhythms of hip hop to create sonic walls of melody.”
John Pitcher – Staff Music Critic Rochester Democrat and Chronicle June 14, 2003
- Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
“And, like last year, the festival producers brought Medeski, Martin, and Wood for an outdoor show. Starting the gig was Rochester's own Prime Time Funk, a powerful outfit that played to a sparse crowd, which was a shame because these guys cook.” RIJF 2003By Bill Ribas - RIJF 2003 By Bill Ribas
“Prime Time Funk lends a balletic background to funk/ska/R&B and Latino tracks with a variety of graceful and perfect sounds for cocktail parties, kicking back at home, and room for dancing--day or night. "Champs Elysees" is the most cosmopolitan track, providing the mood of moonlight on still water. Ronnie Leigh's vocals make the listener immediately caught up in his dynamic and versatile vocal richness.”
Barb Bidwell
9/4/2000 Amazon.com - Amazon.com
“I had been meaning to get this recording for a long time. The line up of musicians could not be better, and they are known to put on a great live show. I was not at all disappointed with this recording. In fact, it exceeded my expectations. The rhythm section sets up a solid base for every cut on the album. The horn section could not be tighter. And the vocals, both lead and background, are inspiring, reminiscent of Earth, Wind & Fire's soulfulness. From a production point of view, this disc is a testament of producer Jeff Tyzik's history of making great recordings. This recording, simply put, is good music. Amazon.com gives you the option of listening to some of the tracks before you purchase. Definitely check them out. Once you do, you'll want to buy it, I guarantee.”
John Harper 6/18/2002 - John Harper
“One of the most polished discs of the year comes from the 10-piece party parade known as Prime Time Funk. With their mix of originals and covers, Ready and Willing capitalizes on the band’s R&B/funk combination made up of the very capable vocals of Ronnie Leigh (sounding like an excited Robert Cray), the resounding horn section and solid rhythms. Prime Time Funk are a definite “must-see” in this town, anytime.”
Michelle Picardo
Freetime Magazine
December 27, 2000
- Freetime Magazine
“Put some of the best rhythm players in Rochester together with the best horns, add vocalist Ronnie Leigh and the production of Jeff Tyzik, and you have Rochester’s answer to Tower of Power: Prime Time Funk. Whether they’re adding a reggae beat to Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart” or putting on a Latin accent with “Fiesta De La Noche,” PTF is an air-tight funk band. There’s no doubt about their status in Rochester, but PTF has also conquered lands beyond with two appearances at Lionel Hampton Jazz Club in Paris. Warning: not a good choice if you like to sit still.”
City Newspaper
“Guide to
the Rochester International
Jazz Festival 2002”
- City Newspaper
Discography
"Ready and Willing" (2001)
Photos
Bio
It was 1996 when veteran Rochester musicians James Richmond (sax, keyboard and vocals) and Ralph Ortiz (bass) started assembling their dream band. A funk band, of course, and – for once – there would be no compromises on musicianship or material. This would be Prime Time Funk.
One by one, they handpicked the rhythm section, starting with drummer Dave Cohen.
When they began recruiting the PTF horns, saxophonist Vince Ercolamento was their
first call. It wasn’t long before the dream became a reality –
but would it be too good to last?
Ten years later, PTF is still a dream come true – for those original four members as much as for the six “new” guys: Andy Calabrese on keyboards, Dave Wright on guitar, Ron D’Angelo and Derrick Lipp on trumpets, Mike Edwards on baritone sax, and the incomparable Ronnie Leigh on vocals. As for audiences, they eat up the chemistry
on stage, dance like there’s no one watching, and appreciate that they’re hearing extraordinary musicians.
A debut CD in 2001, Ready and Willing, co-produced by Grammy® Award-winning producer Jeff Tyzik – who also happens to be Principal Pops Conductor for the
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra – put the band on a much larger map. PTF
landed gigs at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Club in Paris, and four years of prime
spots at the prestigious Rochester International Jazz Festival.
PTF has shared the stage with some of the world’s most respected funk, R&B, blues
and jazz acts: Earth, Wind & Fire; Medeski, Martin & Wood; The Brothers Johnson;
Tom Scott; Terrence Blanchard; The Temptations; Average White Band; Stanley Clarke; Lenny White; Larry Carlton; John Scofield; Sherman Roberston; and Francine Reed.
Between clubs, colleges, and corporate dates, and from festivals and fundraisers to private celebrations, this premier ten-piece powerhouse is in more demand than ever.
Prime Time Funk is currently in the studio recording the followup to "Ready & Willing", and will continue to live its dream while
living up to its name….
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