Kathi Funston Speaks! » vocal jazz http://blog.kathifunston.com Thoughts from a happy writer/performer living in Los Angeles. Yes, there is such a person! Tue, 10 Aug 2010 21:30:55 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 In Transit in the Studio http://blog.kathifunston.com/2010/06/in-transit-in-the-studio/ http://blog.kathifunston.com/2010/06/in-transit-in-the-studio/#comments Mon, 28 Jun 2010 05:17:37 +0000 admin http://blog.kathifunston.com/?p=222 I had a great time in the studio back in March with my a cappella vocal group, In Transit. It’s always a blast to do a vocal session, but directing a session in addition to singing is even better in some ways because it challenges my noggin and works my other skills as a musician and producer.

I’m really excited about how the demo turned out. The editing and mixing process was a lot of fun. We did some sweetening and recording of clap tracks (and a whole mess of fun stuff for the Stevie Wonder tune). Sweet goodness! Special thanks to Martin (our tenor) for his master editing chops in ProTools!

Hope you like what you hear!

Listen to our demo

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]]> http://blog.kathifunston.com/2010/06/in-transit-in-the-studio/feed/ 0 Bad As Jazz http://blog.kathifunston.com/2009/05/badass-jazz/ http://blog.kathifunston.com/2009/05/badass-jazz/#comments Sun, 10 May 2009 22:31:27 +0000 admin http://blog.kathifunston.com/?p=198 I returned to my old stomping grounds last weekend to sing with the University of North Texas Jazz Singers in a concert honoring our musical director (also an amazing arranger, all-around musician, and general cool cat), Paris Rutherford. Paris is retiring this spring, and of course, he wanted to go out with a bang. So, he invited all of the Jazz Singers alumni to sing in a couple of numbers, including his incredible a cappella arrangement of “My Funny Valentine.” All I can say is WOWEE! The whole weekend was a whirlwind of rehearsals and get-togethers with friends both new and old. The sheer chops these fellow musicians have, what an amazing thing to be around again! We had a great time, and took a lot of good photos and videos (more to come). 

To top it all off, Paris invited me to sing on a small group number called “Splanky” and I don’t mind saying, we swung the hell out of that chart! Not only was the rhythm section smokin’, but the group was made up of some of the top singers from UNT, including my former bandmates Brandon Pedigo and Cathy Jensen-Hole. And as if that weren’t enough, Paris also gave me the honor of letting loose like a trumpet player who ate some bad meat. Here’s a picture of me getting down during the concert on May 2. What a night! It was so much fun and a slap-in-the-face reminder of why I love jazz music so much! I will never stop singing. Thank you for that, Paris.

Kathi Funston perfroms with the UNT Jazz Singers on May 2, 2009

Kathi Funston performs with the UNT Jazz Singers on May 2, 2009

]]> http://blog.kathifunston.com/2009/05/badass-jazz/feed/ 3 In Transit at Javapella http://blog.kathifunston.com/2009/04/in-transit-at-javapella/ http://blog.kathifunston.com/2009/04/in-transit-at-javapella/#comments Mon, 27 Apr 2009 06:18:53 +0000 admin http://blog.kathifunston.com/?p=145 Tonight my group performed at Java Joe’s in Yorba Linda as part of their a cappella night known as Javapella. We were invited as special guests to sing with two local Orange County groups. It was an hour-long trek to the OC from LA, but the good music and appreciative crowd made it worthwhile!

In Transit at Javapella

]]> http://blog.kathifunston.com/2009/04/in-transit-at-javapella/feed/ 0 Holiday Music for Your Ears! http://blog.kathifunston.com/2007/11/holiday-music-for-your-ears/ http://blog.kathifunston.com/2007/11/holiday-music-for-your-ears/#comments Mon, 26 Nov 2007 21:40:25 +0000 admin http://blog.kathifunston.com/?p=93 In Transit, my a cappella vocal jazz group, is appearing live at the Classic Choir Annual Christmas Concert at St. Augustine’s in Culver City on Saturday, December 1, 2007 @ 7:30 PM.

Here’s a pic of me with Melissa Pontanilla, our awesome alto, after the concert.

In Transit Christmas Concert at St. Augustine's

]]> http://blog.kathifunston.com/2007/11/holiday-music-for-your-ears/feed/ 0 In Transit in the Mix http://blog.kathifunston.com/2006/12/in-transit-in-the-mix/ http://blog.kathifunston.com/2006/12/in-transit-in-the-mix/#comments Sat, 02 Dec 2006 17:31:50 +0000 admin http://blog.kathifunston.com/?p=63 We just came out of Latte Mix Studios in Santa Monica where we’re cutting a demo. Special thanks to Adrienne and Susan for their hard work in the engineering booth. Rock on, ladies!

]]> http://blog.kathifunston.com/2006/12/in-transit-in-the-mix/feed/ 0 It’s Fiesta Time! http://blog.kathifunston.com/2006/06/its-fiesta-time/ http://blog.kathifunston.com/2006/06/its-fiesta-time/#comments Sun, 04 Jun 2006 16:58:48 +0000 admin http://blog.kathifunston.com/?p=41 Join the fun as my a cappella group, In Transit, performs at a free outdoor carnival in Culver City. The day will be filled with yummy food, fun games, and fabulous music as we perform a full set of jazz, pop, and R&B favorites.

JAZZ AT THE FIESTA
Sunday, June 11th
In Transit takes the stage @ 2pm
St. Augustine’s
10195 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232

]]> http://blog.kathifunston.com/2006/06/its-fiesta-time/feed/ 0 Holiday Jazz Debut in NoHo http://blog.kathifunston.com/2005/12/holiday-jazz-debut-in-noho/ http://blog.kathifunston.com/2005/12/holiday-jazz-debut-in-noho/#comments Sat, 17 Dec 2005 03:17:56 +0000 admin http://blog.kathifunston.com/?p=6 I recently joined an a cappella vocal jazz group, In Transit, as lead soprano and musical director. We made our debut at the Hub Theater in North Hollywood headlining for Fred Willard’s sketch comedy troupe, The MoHos. The holiday-themed show was a lot of fun! Keep your eyes and ears open for more music and news from In Transit. We plan to stick around for a while.

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