Sophistafunk

Known for their one-of-a-kind sound and live shows packed with passion and energy, the band SOPHISTAFUNK is a positive blend of funk, hip hop, and dance music. Their presence is powerful, their lyrics are cutting edge, and their beats are fat. This is one band that stands out from the rest.

After nearly ten years on the road, SOPHISTAFUNK has found a unique home on the national circuit, connecting with audiences spanning from electronic to jazz, reggae, and jam bands. Comprised of swaggadelic singer Adam Gold, who plays four keyboards at once, soulful drummer/vocalist Emanuel Washington, and captivating front-man Jack Brown, the group recently welcomed their newest member: saxophonist Tommy Weeks of the Funky Dawgz Brass Band. From their base in Syracuse NY, these four musicians specialize in creating the ultimate multi-genre festival experience.

Powered by the release of four albums, SOPHISTAFUNK has toured from coast to coast since 2012, with frequent stops along the way in places like New York City, Boston, New Orleans, Denver, San Francisco, and Seattle. Their festival resume includes Camp Bisco 2017, GrassRoots (five years running), as well as legendary locations such as Horning’s Hideout in Oregon and Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Florida. The band has also toured the UK multiple times, performing to 50,000+ at the giant international festivals BoomTown and Shambala.

In 2017, SOPHISTAFUNK was featured as the house band on five episodes of the Food Network show Guy’s Grocery Games. During the show, host Guy Fieri called them his “favorite band.” This has been covered by new outlets such as The Village Voice (NYC) and BuzzFeed. The band still maintains a close personal connection with Fieri, frequently playing private parties for him and his friends across the country. They first met in 2013 while performing on his show Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives at the restaurant/music venue Funk ‘n Waffles, which is owned by keyboardist Adam Gold.

At every show, the band puts their freakish improvisational skills on full display, often collaborating with a wide array of musical guests – from the late Bernie Worrell to drummers Tommy Lee of Motley Crue and Nikki Glaspie of Nth Power/Beyonce. In 2016, SOPHISTAFUNK recorded a live show featuring five members of Snarky Puppy (2x Grammy winner). They have rocked the stage with Rebelution, SOJA, Bass Nectar, Disco Biscuits, Lettuce, & Soulive (to name a few), as well as classic acts such as Aretha Franklin, Parliament Funkadelic, Foreigner, Rakim, & KRS One. They have also toured extensively with The Motet, Orgone, Fishbone, & Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk. Last year, they rocked a full house at the Aria Resort in Las Vegas, playing after Zac Brown Band.