Projects
Joe Abba's Funk Unit
WHO ARE WE? We are a mix of funk, soul, hip hop, and R&B. The band ranges in size from an organ trio, all the way up to an 11 piece band with percussionists, horns, singers, MC's, etc. The music is mainly instrumental, but we do some songs with singers and MC’s. Our debut album is coming out on March 4th! Original funk, fusion, latin, and world music created from my 20 plus years as a drummer, percussionist, composer, bandleader and educator.
We've played The Blue Note, Yonkers Riverfest, Groove, The Bitter End, The Let Love Inn, An Beal Bocht Cafe, Bar Chord, The Bayou, and countless other NYC and Westchester venues...This music has also traveled globally, where we have performed in Sweden, Germany, and Belgium.
The Gen X Quartet
In September 1994, Joe Abba, Paul Tynan and Nick Mancini met when they all began attending The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. This began a nearly 25 year relationship of music making and friendship that continues to this day.
Joe Abba recently performed with Nick Mancini at The Crane School of Music in honor of their professor Jim Petercsak's 50th year as the Percussion Professor. It was at this performance that they were encouraged and inspired to continue sharing their skills around the region at middle schools, high schools and colleges.
The band plans shares their wealth of knowledge and experience to kids and adults of all ages and abilities. They direct jazz ensembles, give large assemblies, one on one instrumental lessons, teach improvisation to high schools students, discuss the challenges and joys of making a living as an artist to college students, and also help educators understand how to teach and expose their students to this truly American art form.
Look for an album from the quartet in late 2022.