Funk Overload! Calvin Johnson's Chapter: SOUL versus D-Madness Project

Chapter:SOUL is a 4-piece modern funk and soul band featuring Calvin Johnson Jr. as bandleader and on saxophone, and the legendary Kirk Joseph of Dirty Dozen Brass Band on sousaphone. The band formed after Calvin spent many months of touring with the Dozen, trading ideas with Kirk and realizing it was time for fresh ideas in the New Orleans music scene. They take New Orleans funk and soul to a new level, re-imagining classic tunes with modern sounds and innovative arrangements. Currently, Calvin and Kirk are accompanied by Kashonda Bailey on keys, and Raymond Weber Jr. on drums. Chapter:SOUL's self-released debut is due later in 2016, and the band will be bringing a live preview of the original tunes featured on the record.

Calvin Johnson Jr. is a musician, composer, and actor born and raised in New Orleans. He is in the third generation of a long line of accomplished musicians, and has toured and/or recorded with Harry Connick Jr., Aaron Neville, Jason Derulo, Mannie Fresh, Mystikal, Irvin Mayfield, the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Cedric Burnside, and Bob French and the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band. He has led bands and played as a sideman in numerous esteemed festivals and venues, including Jazz at Lincoln Center, the White House, Kodak Theatre, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, French Quarter Festival, and Voodoo Music + Arts Experience.

Kirk Joseph is a founding member of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Kirk is regarded as a "sousaphone pioneer," and credited with establishing the modern sousaphone sound that has changed the brass band sound and influenced many bands since the Dozen were founded in 1977. In addition to Chapter:SOUL, Kirk continues to tour the U.S. and Europe with the Dirty Dozen, and also leads Kirk Joseph's Backyard Groove. The Dirty Dozen will be playing many times around New Orleans during this year's Jazz Fest.

Listen to Chapter:SOUL's music here: chaptersoul.com