Zobo funn band
Encyclopedia
The Zobo Funn Band, a band based in Ithaca, New York
during the mid to late 1970s, performed original compositions that ranged from straight ahead rock 'n roll, to progressive jazz
, and combinations of the two which gave them a unique and original sound.
The band was; Jeremy Werbin- guitar
and primary singer/songwriter, David Torn
—lead guitarist, James Twomey—electric bass, James Campagnola—saxophone
, Michael Wellen—drums, and David Arnay—keyboard.
Many of their performances were recorded by die-hard fans who plugged into the soundboard. In 1977 they released an LP
simply entitled Zobo, which was widely admitted to be terrible, and completely unrepresentative of their live sound. The Zobo Funn Band became a veritable musical institution in Ithaca. By 1979 they and nearby Buffalo, New York
"smooth jazz" band Spyro Gyra
were both asked to make a demo and compete for a record contract, which ultimately went to Spyro Gyra, whose first album was a huge hit, leaving members of Zobo frustrated and ultimately leading to the dissolution of the band in 1980. A reunion show in September 1981 packed the Strand Theater in Ithaca, which has since been demolished.
The breakup of ZFB led to the formation of several regionally-popular spin-offs, including Sinbad and The New York Yanquis. These bands continued to attract a devoted local fan base of Zobo fans, and a new generation of younger Ithacans attracted by their vibrant energy, Zobo-reminiscent sound and strong local roots. While they occasionally toured regionally, their spiritual home remained popular Ithaca clubs such as the Nines and the Haunt, which they packed reliably with wildly enthusiastic dancing crowds.
By the mid-1980s, most of the core members of Zobo had drifted away from Ithaca to pursue other musical interests, gradually putting an end to the explosion of musical creativity Zobo Funn Band had spawned, and which had so deeply marked a generation of their Ithaca fans. David Torn toured with jazz innovators including Don Cherry and Jan Garbarek, released numerous albums under his own name and has had a remarkable career as a film composer and music producer. Jeremy Werbin died an untimely death of diabetes, after composing hundreds of songs. David Arnay teaches at the Thornton School of Music at USC in Los Angeles, California
, has released two CDs of his own and recorded on several albums. Arnay produced the Live At The Haunt ZFB CD. Michael Wellen has recorded television soundtracks and released his own CD. James Twomey and James Campagnola ended up in New York City
, where Twomey runs a post-production audio studio called Plush, NYC. James Campagnola is still practicing the saxophone and playing in cyberspace at [www.jamescampagnola.com].
After Werbin's death, the surviving members of the band released an album in his memory, which is available online. Proceeds are being donated to diabetes research. The new CD is of much higher quality than the old LP.
Ithaca, New York
The city of Ithaca, is a city in upstate New York and the county seat of Tompkins County, as well as the largest community in the Ithaca-Tompkins County metropolitan area...
during the mid to late 1970s, performed original compositions that ranged from straight ahead rock 'n roll, to progressive jazz
Jazz fusion
Jazz fusion is a musical fusion genre that developed from mixing funk and R&B rhythms and the amplification and electronic effects of rock, complex time signatures derived from non-Western music and extended, typically instrumental compositions with a jazz approach to lengthy group improvisations,...
, and combinations of the two which gave them a unique and original sound.
The band was; Jeremy Werbin- guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
and primary singer/songwriter, David Torn
David Torn
David Torn is an American composer and guitarist.He is known for the organic blending/manipulation of electronic and acoustic instruments and performance techniques that have an atmospheric or textural quality and effect, along with a particular harmonic richness...
—lead guitarist, James Twomey—electric bass, James Campagnola—saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
, Michael Wellen—drums, and David Arnay—keyboard.
Many of their performances were recorded by die-hard fans who plugged into the soundboard. In 1977 they released an LP
LP album
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
simply entitled Zobo, which was widely admitted to be terrible, and completely unrepresentative of their live sound. The Zobo Funn Band became a veritable musical institution in Ithaca. By 1979 they and nearby Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
"smooth jazz" band Spyro Gyra
Spyro Gyra
Spyro Gyra is an American jazz fusion band that was originally formed in the mid-1970s in Buffalo, New York, USA. With over 25 albums released and 10 million copies sold, they are among the most prolific as well as commercially successful groups of the genre...
were both asked to make a demo and compete for a record contract, which ultimately went to Spyro Gyra, whose first album was a huge hit, leaving members of Zobo frustrated and ultimately leading to the dissolution of the band in 1980. A reunion show in September 1981 packed the Strand Theater in Ithaca, which has since been demolished.
The breakup of ZFB led to the formation of several regionally-popular spin-offs, including Sinbad and The New York Yanquis. These bands continued to attract a devoted local fan base of Zobo fans, and a new generation of younger Ithacans attracted by their vibrant energy, Zobo-reminiscent sound and strong local roots. While they occasionally toured regionally, their spiritual home remained popular Ithaca clubs such as the Nines and the Haunt, which they packed reliably with wildly enthusiastic dancing crowds.
By the mid-1980s, most of the core members of Zobo had drifted away from Ithaca to pursue other musical interests, gradually putting an end to the explosion of musical creativity Zobo Funn Band had spawned, and which had so deeply marked a generation of their Ithaca fans. David Torn toured with jazz innovators including Don Cherry and Jan Garbarek, released numerous albums under his own name and has had a remarkable career as a film composer and music producer. Jeremy Werbin died an untimely death of diabetes, after composing hundreds of songs. David Arnay teaches at the Thornton School of Music at USC in Los Angeles, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, has released two CDs of his own and recorded on several albums. Arnay produced the Live At The Haunt ZFB CD. Michael Wellen has recorded television soundtracks and released his own CD. James Twomey and James Campagnola ended up in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where Twomey runs a post-production audio studio called Plush, NYC. James Campagnola is still practicing the saxophone and playing in cyberspace at [www.jamescampagnola.com].
After Werbin's death, the surviving members of the band released an album in his memory, which is available online. Proceeds are being donated to diabetes research. The new CD is of much higher quality than the old LP.