903 Early St • Santa Fe NM
NMSA Funk Project (New Mexico School for the Arts) and Ray Charles NM Tribute Orchestra, with some of NM's finest musicians
$20 cover charge online or at the door $10 for New Mexico students (Student ID required)
Upcoming Showtimes
December 9, 2023 • 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
DOORS 6:30pm • All Ages
LOCATION
Paradiso
903 Early St
Santa Fe NM 87501
This event has already ended.
Bring your dancing shoes because it’s going to be a night of fun and funky dancing! Starting out the
evening will be NMSA Funk Ensemble! This is part of Paradiso’s new Emerging Artists Series, and this
talented bunch of kids will get your toes tapping and your body moving from 7:00 to 7:45.
A quick intermission and then the Ray Charles NM Tribute Orchestra, an homage to one of popular
music’s most talented and iconic singers, the great Ray Charles, featuring amazing singer Michael
Matison!
This band will feature some of New Mexico’s finest musicians. Including:
Michael Matison on voice. A fresh and promising vocalist originally from San Diego, California,
Michael currently resides in Albuquerque. Michael skillfully infuses elements of soul, blues, gospel and rock and
roll. His strong, yet smooth voice has garnered praise from many prominent local artists.
Alex Murzyn on Saxophone. Alex toured or played with Huey Lewis and the News, Sheila E, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan
Kenton Tribute Orchestra, Freddie Hubbard, The Temptations, Four Tops, Sammy Davis Jr, Tito Puente, Stanley
Clark; Orchestra Shows include Color Purple, Grease, Marvin Hamlisch, Chicago, A Night with Janis Joplin and more.
His original song won Best Jazz Composition for NM Music Awards 2023.
Donald Bailey Jr on Drums. Self taught son of Philly Legendary drummer Donald "Duck" Bailey, Donald
developed "Good Musical Ears" and has decades of drumming experiences with a variety of performers and a wide
range of music, from Rhythm & Blues, to Latin or Jazz.
Gordy Johnson on Bass. Gordy did world tours with Maynard Ferguson, Gene Bertoncini, Roy Buchanan, the
Paul Winter Consort, CBS All Stars and Chuck Mangione. He recorded with jazz players Jimmy Hamilton and
Maynard Ferguson, blues/R&B players Roy Buchanan and Doug Maynard, and folk players Greg Brown and Arlo
Guthrie. Network television appearances include the Merv Griffin Show & Soul Train.
Robert Mueller on Piano. Robert has experience ranging from international music festivals to New York City
where he performed at venues like the Blue Note and the Knitting Factory with various jazz, neo-soul, and
underground hip-hop artists. He now tours with trumpeter Delbert Anderson Group. His own group Kodama Trio
won NM Awards for Best Jazz Album and Best Jazz Single in 2016.
Jim Casey on Guitar. Jim is leader of the award-winning chill house group featuring Hillary Smith. Before NM,
Jim played with the Buster Brown Band in Dallas for 40 years, which opened for Herbie Hancock, Tower of Power,
Dr. John, the Meters, and more, and played with musicians such as Kenny Loggins and Eric Clapton.
Produced by Alex Murzyn. Hope to see you there for one of the hippest events of the year!
