It's a Funky Thing

MENLO PARK, CA--March 30, 2002--Mark Kaye's new CD, I Can Love You, is an energetic blend of neo-soul and Latin and old school funk. Released on daFunk Records, the album starts with a shout "¡A bailar!" and dances into a heady Latin rhythm. The upbeat pace continues throughout the sexy and playful recording.
Kaye lets his imagination run free--creating fantasy worlds populated by mysterious goddesses, powerful wizards, and wild temptresses. Dreams, spirituality, love, and passion inspire the songs. The music is uplifting--clearly expressing emotion and hope.

The album is mostly a one-man show, displaying Kaye's talents as a songwriter, singer, keyboardist, percussionist, and producer. However, Sandy Griffin (whose voice has adorned recordings by Michael Bolton, Mariah Carey, and Al Green) sings background female vocals on five tracks. Respected San Francisco R&B producer Jerry Stucker plays rhythm guitar on "Until You've Tried Me."

In addition to recording five CDs, Kaye also wrote and starred in Tales from the Far Country. Grammy-nominated producer Greg Landau said of the one-man show: "The raw and explosive talent of Mark Kaye and his original songs and music combine to create the most unique and entertaining musical comedy I've ever seen."

The busy and versatile artist also sings and plays a custom guitar keyboard synthesizer with the Calvin Darkness Band. The '70s and '80s dance band features Santana's drummer and the horn section from the Huey Lewis and the News Band. The Calvin Darkness Band has opened for Elton John, Diana Ross, James Brown, and Chubby Checker.

Funk aficionados can listen to MP3s from I Can Love You at daFunk.com. The Web site also sells the album for $13.95.

Contact:
Mark Kaye
daFunk Records
P.O. Box 2565
Menlo Park, CA 94026
Phone: 650.853.8458
Fax: 650.327.4269
E-mail: mkdafunk@aol.com
www.dafunk.com

Singer, songwriter, keyboardist and producer Mark Kaye, was born 1-10-76 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Mark Kaye has been playing the piano since age 5.  After receiving a music scholarship from San Francisco Mission High School, Mark continued his music education at the San Francisco conservatory of Music.  Mark also majored in Music composition at San Francisco State University.  Mark has studied piano with Tom Coster, Mark Lavine, and Smith Dobson.  Mark has studied Voice with the great Judy Davis, Marylyn Heinmiller, Pamela Poland, and Horace Tolson.

In 1993 Mark wrote and produced a one man musical called “Tales from the Far Country”.   Mark performed this Musical from 1994 to 1996 in small theaters on the West Coast. In 1996 Mark started recording as a solo artist for Dafunk records.  Mark has released 7 CD’s with Dafunk records.  The latest CD was released in late 2009  titled “Just Funky”. 

Mark’s music has been licensed for use in TV and movies. Like the Today Show, Good Morning America, Discovery Channel, and Disney.  Mark has also worked on movie soundtracks with Grammy nominated producer Greg Landu, since 1998.  In 2006 Mark’s music was released in Europe by Sony/BMG. 

Mark performs with his band “The Mark Kaye Band” in festivals, nightclubs, and corporate parties on the West Coast.  Marks’s music has been described by producer Jeff Weinstein as “the New Funk”.  Mark has also been described as “the Funkiest Jazz musician on the West Coast” by R&B producer Tebo.

Mark has just finished co producing, and co writing a CD with a new band called “The Eastbay Messengers” Scheduled to be released in early 2010.  The EastBay Messengers features Paul Jackson on Bass and Mike Clark on drums from Herbie Hancock and The Headhunters.

www.dafunk.com
www.markkayemusic.com
www.youtube/markkayemusic.com
www.myspace.com/markkayeband.com

MARK KAYE BAND

Mark Kaye Band led by singer/songwriter keyboard extraordinary Mark Kaye.  The Band features some of the funkiest musicians on planet earth.  They have released six CD’s on the Dafunk label, one instrumental and five of them with vocals by Mark Kaye.

They have toured extensively in Japan, Australia and Europe.  When at home in the San Francisco Bay Area they mainly perform at corporate parties and festivals. 

Mark Kaye Band features:
Mark Kaye: Keyboards/Lead Vocals
Mark also performs as the keyboardist and lead singer with EastBay Messengers.  The EastBay Messengers features Paul Jackson on the Bass and Mike Clark on the drums from Herbie Hancock and The Headhunters.

Tebo: Bass Guitar

Billy Johnson: Drums
Billy has recorded and performed with Santana, Sly and The Family Stone, MC Hammer, Booker T and the MG’s and many more.

Wilton Rabb: Guitar
Wilton has recorded or performed with Prince, Sly and The Family Stone, Mariah Carey, and Graham Central Station.