SUNDAY SERENADES: BILLY BUSS & THE FUNK AUTHORITY

Sunday Serenades: Relax and enjoy an afternoon of outstanding entertainment, featuring premier world-class classical chamber music, classical crossover, jazz, Broadway, comedy, oldies, indie, and everything in between. BILLY BUSS AND THE FUNK AUTHORITY Billy Buss and the Funk Authority is a modern exploration of the rich history and enduring spirit of funk and soul. Featuring some of New England’s most accomplished and in-demand musicians, the group brings together powerhouse vocalists Debo Ray and Marqil Chandler, a driving rhythm band, and a dynamic horn section. Rooted in funk, soul, R&B, and jazz, the group celebrates the music that defined generations of groove, drawing on iconic sounds from artists such as Average White Band, George Benson, Tower of Power, The Whispers, Patrice Rushen, and Luther Vandross. From horn-driven funk classics and deep-pocket grooves to sophisticated jazz-funk, soulful vocals, and irresistible dance-floor anthems, the repertoire showcases the depth and diversity of a musical tradition that continues to move audiences. Rather than simply recreating the past, the Funk Authority reimagines this music through the distinctive voices and musical sensibilities of today’s players. The result is a high-energy, deeply musical live experience that honors the artistry behind the grooves while bringing a fresh, contemporary spirit to the stage. Come renew your SOUL, cleanse your FUNKY palate, and get your GROOVE on! Grab your tickets, hit the dance floor, and join us as we put our own spin on the rich history of funk and soul. BILLY BUSS Billy Buss is an acclaimed trumpeter, composer, producer, educator, and bandleader whose career spans jazz, funk, soul, R&B, and contemporary music. He is an Associate Professor of Brass at Berklee College of Music, where he has also served on the Ensemble and Harmony faculties and led specialized brass and performance programs. A versatile and sought-after performer, Buss recently appeared at Fenway Park with Noah Kahan as part of Kahan’s The Great Divide Tour. His career has taken him across a wide range of musical settings, from jazz and contemporary music to funk, R&B, and large-ensemble performance. Buss is also a top-call studio musician, horn arranger, and section producer throughout Boston and New England. As a musical director, arranger, producer, and bandleader, he creates and leads full-band projects and horn sections for dozens of events each year, collaborating with artists, ensembles, producers, and clients throughout the United States and internationally. As a composer and recording artist, Buss releases original music under his own name and produces and engineers projects across genres. His recordings have generated more than 11.5 million Spotify streams since 2024, including placements on Spotify editorial playlists. With a powerful trumpet voice, deep knowledge of the music’s history, and an instinct for bringing exceptional musicians together, Buss created the Funk Authority as a vehicle to celebrate one of America’s most influential musical traditions while exploring its continuing evolution.