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After more than 19 years of sounding off and 700 live gigs we can safely say that FUNK OFF were not only the first Italian marching band, but they have literally given a new sense to the idea of the marchin’ band in Italy; infusing distinctive styles of Groove and Funk with sophisticated Jazz arrangements and Italian styled melodies, bringing it all together with dynamic choreographies. Marching in their footsteps many new bands have been formed in Italy since Funk Off’s arrival on the music scene, but it’s the energy, the sheer power and unity of the band together with the originality of their music, written and arranged by band founder and leader Dario Cecchini, that makes them unique and inimitable.
Dario Cecchini, has worked for more than twenty years with Jazz artists (Lee Konitz, Natalie Cole, Kenny Wheeler, Eumir Deodato, M. Giammarco, S. Bollani) as well as with pop stars (Eros Ramazzotti, Jovanotti, Biagio Antonacci, Giorgia, Alexia); he is the guy who makes the wheels turn and is the original founder member of Funk Off. The compositions og Dario Cecchini may mix Funk, latin and rock rhythms with Jazz or they may simply go off in other musical directions. With Funk Off he analyses and develops the essence of “the band” in all its forms: harmony, sound, rhythm and visuals. In 2005 Funk Off got across the ocean again, but this time to play in Melbourne – Australia, partecipating to Umbria Jazz Melbourne and taking a lot of their energy and their Fonchi to the most important festival of the austral continent. After a wonderful 2006 full of performances in Italy and the second partecipation at the Istanbul Jazz Festival, the third Funk Off album was born in 2007. Jazz On, released by the legendary Blue Note label, summarizes their musical trip begun nine years ago, transalting in music what they were living for in 13 new songs describing moments, locations, people, states of mind, emotions in new sounds and timbric solutions. In 2011 Funk Off were the only Italian artists invited to BMW Jazz Festival in Sao Paulo do Brasil. In 2013 they realized the new CD Power to the Music for the very famous label Emarcy Universal. In 2014 they had a fantastic tour in Southafrica with Umbria Jazz and they did clinics in 3 schools in that country and played several concerts.
In 2015 they returned to Turkey and went for the first time at Heat Batumi Festival in Georgia.In the same year, Funk Off realized with label Giando Music their 6th CD with three great international guests: Fred Wesley, Avery*Sunshine and Raul Midon. Funk Off is still the official Umbria Jazz marchin’ band since 2003.
Funk Off at UmbriaJazz 2020: watch the video