Sophistafunk (feat. The Comb Down horn section + Ashley Ickes) w/ Felix Free & The Rxcketeers

Name: Sophistafunk (feat. The Comb Down horn section + Ashley Ickes) w/ Felix Free & The Rxcketeers
Start: 2025-02-28T20:00:00-05:00
Location: 415 Old Taughannock Blvd, 14850

Schedule

Fri, 28 Feb, 2025 at 08:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

415 Old Taughannock Blvd, 14850 | Ithaca, NY

$14 ADV/$20 DOS//18+//8pm Doors/9pm Show
Sophistafunk
There’s a new band on television! Mashing up funk, rap, and their own distinct brand of positive vibes. You can catch them every Wednesday night on Food Network’s new show “Guy’s Ultimate Game Night,” where celebrities compete, laugh, dance, and congregate around culinary-themed party games. And it’s all for the charities of their choice!! But who’s this band that’s the life of the party? Who is Sophistafunk?
“The unstoppable Funk Hip Hop dance party”
From underground shows to international festivals, Sophistafunk has been described as “Rage Against the Machine meets The Roots, dipped in P-Funk.” They’ve also become widely known on the touring circuit as a rare Hip Hop meets live electronic jam band, performing multiple sets at Electric Forest and Camp Bisco (USA), as well as BoomTown and Shambala (UK), to name a few. They’re well known from New York to New Orleans, and have particularly strong followings in California, Colorado, Michigan, New England, and the Great Northwest, among others.
After celebrity chef Guy Fieri became a fan of the band, he invited Sophistafunk to perform at many of his events and private parties around the country, including at the Super Bowl in Tempe, AZ. The band even appeared twice on his TV show “Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives.” They were also featured as the house band for four episodes of “Guy’s Grocery Games” and in 2020 premiered a music video on Food Network’s “Triple D: Takeout Edition.” Sophistafunk’s multi-year relationship with Fieri culminated in the invite of a lifetime: to be regular cast members on his brand new game show!! Add a little funk, and “Guy’s Ultimate Game Night” was born! The rest is history.
The band is rooted in undeniable musicianship and authenticity, blending intoxicating beats with mind-expanding flows. Mad scientist Adam Gold is known for his heavy synth basslines and funky vocals. He plays four vintage keyboards at the same time, sometimes even while beatboxing! Gospel trained drummer and singer Emanuel Washington combines neo-soul with deep house, reggae, and more. Frontman / emcee Jack Brown evokes comparisons from Mac Miller to Michael Frantí, but his lyrical skill and conscious vibes are truly one of a kind. The band also features musical guests, ranging from brass instruments to guitars, turntablists, female singers, & other surprises. Lately, they’ve been touring with sax powerhouse Tommy Weeks of the Funky Dawgz Brass Band.
Sophistafunk is for music lovers. Through the years, they’ve become one of the most exhilarating and fulfilling live music experiences around. They blend genres as a broader analogy for people coming together, leaving audiences with an undeniable afterglow of funky positivity. For years, Sophistafunk has been pioneers on the live music circuit, unafraid to push boundaries with their sounds and their messages. And now the whole world is finding out. Catch a show, and join the party!
Felix Free and The Rxcketeers
Free is a Good Soul that raps with integrity! He’s a family man and Truskool MC with honest, clever wordplay, positive energy, and most of all: real HipHop! He is a founding member of the internationally known Luminaries band, and is also known and loved for his contributions and performances with Venice California’s House of Vibes All Stars, and Southern Oregon’s Free Creatures.Grown in Southern California, Felix Free moved his family from the ‘Hood to the Woods’ of rural New York state seeking space and nature for his wife and children.
In 2023, after a hiatus in performing to focus on family life, Free added a live band to support his music. By connecting with top tier musicians from upstate New York, this move transformed the live show experience. Ashley Ickes on drums, Michael Schuler on bass, and Emmett Scott on keyboards; three well-established, professional musicians who had the ears to enhance Free's music in a way that leveled up the energy of the live shows like never before. Felix Free and the Rxcketeers were formed to express how important it is for this music to be shared with the world.
The band has shared the stage with Sugar Hill Gang, AfroMan, The Frank White Experience, Grateful For Biggie, and more. Past and current projects the artists have performed in and alongside
Chali 2na, Matisyahu, Free Creatures, Freestyle Fellowship, Myka9, Delvon, Trevor Hall, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Lamarr Organ Trio, Big Mean Sound Machine, Covet, The Comb Down, The Brothers Nylon, Destiny LaVibe, Blaque Dynamite, and more.
There is nothing quite like the experience of consciously crafted lyrics mixed with the energy of a live backing band. There are very few groups who have that to offer. Felix Free & the Rxcketeers are a cut above the rest who will leave you feeling uplifted, Inspired and waiting in anticipation for the next show!