Jazz Pioneer And Funkmeister Celebrates Lifetime Achievements

Richmond, VA (N.A.M.E. BRAND RECORDS) - On Thursday, July 20, 2006 Virginia jazz pioneer, J. Plunky Branch will celebrate three momentous lifetime achievements: the release of his 21st CD album; the release of a new concert/documentary DVD; and his birthday. Plunky will mark this occasion by performing live with his group, Plunky & Oneness, at downtown Richmond's Matrixx Room, located at 4th and Grace Streets. The celebration kicks off at 9:00 PM. DJ Danja Mowf will provide the dance music mixing. Admission is $10 in advance and for Richmond Jazz Society members.

One of the most versatile and venerated musicians in the region, saxophonist J. Plunky Branch fuses jazz, soul, African, hip-hop, reggae, gospel and funk into his own progressive contemporary sound. For more than 35 years Plunky has been performing, producing, advocating and educating with music, touring at home, in Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. He has opened shows for some of the biggest names in Black music, including Ray Charles, Earth Wind & Fire, Patti Labelle, Dexter Gordon, Hugh Masekela, Sun Ra, Maze, the Isley Brothers and many others.

Now as he turns 59 years old, Plunky still maintains a whirlwind pace, touring, writing songs and releasing new product. His latest CD, Cold Heat, is a 14-song collection of soul, R&B and jazz percolating over hip-hop beats created by Setworkrz, the hip-hop production duo comprised of Al Dokes and Plunky's son, Jamiah 'Fire' Branch. The first single from the album is a dance-jazz instrumental, 'Drop,' produced by Danja Mowf, which will be officially released on August 1. Pre-release versions of the new CD album will be available at the July 20th party.

The Plunky & Oneness (of Juju) Live In Paris DVD captures the excitement of the group's 2004 debut performance at the famed French jazz & soul venue, New Morning. The DVD includes a bonus documentary about Plunky also filmed in Paris. The concert film is already being shown on television in Europe and the Middle East and portions of it will be screened at Plunky's Richmond birthday bash.

'I feel like I am turning 21 because Cold Heat is my 21st album. I am looking forward to moving ahead with these new CD and DVD releases, then on to more touring and producing and changing the world!'

Like those who've inspired him, including Carlos Santana, Maceo Parker, George Duke, George Clinton, Herbie Hancock, and so many others, Plunky is a veteran in the mold of the ageless funkers, jazzmen, and bluesmen who continue to play as long as they have something to say. Another year of Plunky speaking through his music begins on July 20th.
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