Funk Monkey

Biography

Funk Monkey is a New Orleans-based supergroup formed in 2013 by Greg Hicks (trombone) from Bonerama and Bert Cotton (guitar), who brought together several of the Big Easy's finest musicians to create something distinct from their other popular projects. The band's lineup includes Brad Walker on saxophone, Rik Fletcher on keyboards, David Pomerleau on bass, and Eddie Christmas on drums, along with additional personnel including Michael Skinkus on percussion and Casandra Faulconer on bass. The group quickly evolved from sounding like a super-jam mashup into a tight-knit unit with a distinctive sound, performing regularly at prestigious New Orleans venues including Tipitina's, the Maple Leaf, and the Blue Nile, as well as major festivals like the French Quarter Festival and Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo.

Funk Monkey's musical style blends second-line funk, soul, and boogaloo with sophisticated jazz elements, creating what has been described as a ferocious-yet-groovy brand of funk. The band released their self-titled EP in November 2014 on an independent label, featuring five instrumental tracks including "Higga Boom," "Soul Brownies," "Chief'n," "Green Room," and "Tootie Ma." The EP was expertly produced by Tracey Freeman along with Hicks and Cotton, who wrote the bulk of the material. In 2018, the group released their first full-length CD, "Rollin' Live @ The Leaf," which combined the infectious enthusiasm of New Orleans street music with the polished playing of premier musicians. The band's music honors the heritage of New Orleans while showcasing the diverse talents of its high-caliber members.

Fun Facts

• Funk Monkey is described as a side project that members squeeze in when their busy schedules with other popular New Orleans groups allow, demonstrating the collaborative nature of the city's music scene.
• The band's name directly reflects their musical approach—their untamed grooves and energetic performances embody the funk aesthetic they pursue.
• The traditional New Orleans song "Tootie Ma" serves as the concluding track on their EP, allowing the band to honor the heritage of New Orleans, the only city the reviewer noted was capable of creating and sustaining such a group.
• The band's close camaraderie off-stage is noted as an essential part of their success, contributing to their rapid evolution from a super-jam mashup to a cohesive unit with a distinctive sound.

Musical Connections

Key Collaborators

• Greg Hicks - Co-founder and trombone player; member of Bonerama (Funk Monkey EP (2014), Rollin' Live @ The Leaf (2018)) [2013-present]
• Bert Cotton - Co-founder and guitarist; member of Bonerama (Funk Monkey EP (2014), Rollin' Live @ The Leaf (2018)) [2013-present]
• Brad Walker - Saxophonist; also performs with Sturgill Simpson and Ana Popavic (Funk Monkey performances and recordings) [2013-present]
• Rik Fletcher - Keyboardist; also performs with Smilin' Myron (Funk Monkey performances and recordings) [2013-present]
• David Pomerleau - Bassist; also performs with Johnny Sketch (Funk Monkey performances and recordings) [2013-present]
• Eddie Christmas - Drummer; also performs with John Cleary (Funk Monkey performances and recordings) [2013-present]
• Tracey Freeman - Producer of Funk Monkey EP (Funk Monkey EP (2014))

External Links

• Spotify