the band

this is the funk off

"A great pumping group, not the usual Jazz band line up - the Tuscan band Funk Off are the most entertaining street band in Italy"
[Taken from the official programme of the Umbria Jazz festival 2003]

"Funk Off: the only funky marchin' band in the world."
[Lorenzo "Jovanotti"]

"It's been said that Funk Off are probably the most exciting street band in Italy at the moment.
Their success is huge and their music is catching on, wherever they go they're expected back the following year.
With more than 100 performances in less than three years to their credit, which really is something, given that the band only performs with a complete line up- that's all 15 of them- meaning they've had to say no.
Their performance here in Mercantia will not be forgotten easily - an hour under pouring rain with 500 kids all dancing under umbrellas soaked through to the skin."
[A Gigli - Artistic Director Mercantia]

"A group like Funk Off has this unnique oneness about it, each one of them committed and all of them live in Vicchio ( a small village in the Mugello ) Behind them all is the patient and expert hand of Saxophonist Dario Cecchini. They hit the national scene as a really original social phenomenon - brought together just to play a bit of music - and end up breaking all the rules of the traditional marching band. Funk Off  manage to connect with anyone around them and transmit their infectious enthusiasm, something which is quite rare these days."
[Maurizio Giammarco - Artistic Director of the Termoli Jazz Podium 2003]

photo by michele nucci