Tommy Weeks and Funky Dawgz to co-headline at The Ridgefield Playhouse on February 9. Purchase tickets HERE.
Funky Dawgz Brass band featuring Ridgefield native Tommy Weeks has been bringing audiences to their feet with electrifying performances in venues all around the country!
I had the pleasure of interviewing Tommy about his upcoming Playhouse performance.
1. How would you compare headlining in your hometown venue to all of the gigs you and the Dawgz have so far done?
Answer: Playing this show is very special to me. I was born and raised in Ridgefield and have close friends and a lot of family in the area who will be at the show. Being able to look into the audience and see so many friendly faces is extremely heartwarming.
2. Your on-stage Sax performances are outstanding. Who are some of your influences as a saxophonist?
Answer: Thanks so much for the compliment! Of course I grew up listening to all of the jazz greats and still do. John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, Lester Young, Cannonball Adderley. They paved the way and if I could ever get anywhere close to their abilities it would be a miracle. However, I also love listening to more contemporary players who are pushing the instrument into different genres other than jazz. Jeff Coffin is my favorite, he plays saxophone for Dave Mathews Band and Bela Fleck and The Flecktones. I really like the way he plays, its on the more aggressive side. Ive also really been digging Dominic Lalli of Big Gigantic, they are an Electronic duo (drums and sax) that is blowing up. Saxophone is evolving and being used in so many different ways now, Im doing my best to stay on top of the game by keeping an open mind and listening and playing any kind of music that I can. I recently went out and purchased a bunch of guitar effects pedals to use on my horn so Im excited to start experimenting in that way as well. When I was younger, in middle school I'll never forget the time I met Billy Joel's original saxophonist, Richie Cannata I asked him for advice on how to play and he told me to, "play it hard." So that's what I've done ever since. I have a very energetic personality and that is the way I play, with a lot of energy.
Answer: The easy answer to this question is "we played 2 sold out nights at Madison Square Garden with Dispatch." But I think our greatest accomplishment is everything we did leading up to that huge gig. We started as a bunch of college kids playing little 15minute shows around UConn for free. To be able to take the music from New Orleans, where none of us had ever been before we started this band, and play it in a place where its never really been heard before (New England) and to come from literally nothing, to being able to win over audiences all over the east coast and share stages with some of the most talented and well respected musicians (some Grammy Award Winners) blows my mind. And we've only been together for a little less than 4 years! I am so lucky to be where I am, the success we have had so far only motivates me more and makes me want to see how far we can take this thing.
4. What can we expect to see at your upcoming show at The Ridgefield Playhouse?
Answer: I'm not going to give too much away but I can guarantee that its going to be high energy from start to finish and we will have everyone on their feet. Definitely do not miss this show! Its Fat Tuesday! Mardi Gras! Let the good times roll! Or as they say in New Orleans, "laissez les bons temps rouler!"
Please go to www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org and buy your tickets for The Funky Dawgz Brass Band co headlining with the Soul Brass Band this February 9th
