OUR STORY
Funky Dawgz are one of the premier touring acts on the live music scene today. It is impossible not to enjoy yourself during a show as they play a contagious upbeat mix of original music, hip hop, funk, and today’s top hits with a brass twist.
Emerging from Connecticut, they have toured internationally and have been featured in all corners of the live music scene. From playing sold out shows at Madison Square Garden as the horn section for Dispatch, to Okeechobee, to closing out The Peach Music Festival, their performances flow seamlessly from EDM festivals to jam band festivals. They were also recently featured multiple times on national televised programming on ESPN (house band for March Madness Tournament Challenge, opening segment of First Take) as well as on the Hulu and FX hit series "Fargo" starring Chris Rock.
The Funky Dawgz are dropping jaws. These high energy horns have been featured with Dispatch, Tower of Power, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Galactic, Sammy Rae & The Friends, Lawrence, Vulfpeck, We The Kings, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Snarky Puppy, The Soul Rebels, Lettuce, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Rebirth Brass Band, Twiddle, and the list continues.
When the band is not playing shows they are giving back to the community. The Funky Dawgz aim to connect, engage, inspire and rejuvenate music education in inner city schools across the country. The band frequently gives performances and master classes to young musicians in elementary, middle, and high schools across the region.
Come see what all the hype is about.
Ain’t no party like a Funky Dawgz party, ‘cus a Funky Dawgz party don’t stop!
The Band
Colin Walters, Alto Saxophone
A native of Connecticut, Colin Walters is a dynamic and innovative saxophonist, woodwind doubler, composer, and educator. Colin tours and performs regularly in a wide variety of ensembles and genres throughout the New York metro area. Through performance, education, and diverse community engagements, he strives to inspire others to appreciate the cultural aesthetic experiences of music. He is an active clinician and performer advocating music and its importance to the next generation of musicians.
Colin holds PreK- 12 teaching certifications in Connecticut and New York and has taught instrumental and general music in the Connecticut and New York City public schools. He is an Elementary Band Director in the Darien Public Schools. Colin holds a B.A. in Jazz Saxophone Performance, a B.S. in Music Education, and earned an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from the NEAG School of Education, University of Connecticut. In June 2021, Colin completed his M.M. in Jazz Studies from The Juilliard School. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Music and Music Education at Teachers College, Columbia University.
Colin endorses D’Addario Woodwinds
Tommy Weeks, Tenor Saxophone
Tommy Weeks is a Connecticut born and raised saxophonist. He graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music studying under Greg Case. He has played on stages all over the world from New York, to New Orleans to Spain with the Funky Dawgz. He can also be seen touring with the Syracuse NY based hip hop/funk outfit, Sophistafunk. Tommy is a big music education ambassador; he frequently visits school systems to work with young musicians on developing their talents as well as working individually as a private instructor. As a mentor he hopes to inspire young musicians to continue with music and music education. He is the saxophone instructor for Project Music. On stage he is a force of energy and loves to see his audience smiling and dancing. He believes you are never too young to keep learning and getting better. Tommy endorses Theo Wanne Mouthpieces and D'Addario Woodwinds.
Jon Singngam, Percussion
Jon Singngam, Drums, hails from Meriden CT and holds a BA in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. When he isn’t playing the drums he is an Aviation Account Manager for Aerotek in the Northeast. Jon began playing drums at age 7 and currently plays on Ludwig drums, Meinl cymbals and Vater Sticks. Jon first trained in classical percussion techniques through concert, symphonic, and marching band throughout primary school and college at UConn. Jon’s major musical influences include Tony Royster Jr, Benny Greb, Kyoshi Ijichi, Jason McGerr, and Travis Barker. At any time he can be contacted for lessons or performance opportunities at jon.singngam@gmail.com.
Aaron Eaddy, Trumpet / Lead Vocals
Aaron Eaddy, Trumpet/Lead Vocals, is an electrical and audio engineer from Hartford, CT. He graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, taking a full time position at General Dynamics Electric Boat as a Systems Engineer. Aaron is currently the head audio engineer at Green Jungle Studios and has helped craft a signature sound for the label. He also writes original music. Notably as a composer, he has copyrighted music and commercial placements.
Mike Marsters, Trombone & Sousaphone
Mike Marsters, Trombone, is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Arts in Music at the University of Connecticut. He loves to give back to local communities by involving the arts and aims to inspire today’s youth through music education. Mike is currently the co-director and brass instructor at the Rawson After School Music Matters Program affiliated with the Charter Oak Cultural Center in Hartford, CT. With a diverse musical background, he has had the opportunity to play with musicians and bands from around the world with the Funky Dawgz. In doing what he loves, Mike hopes to continue playing and teaching music for the rest of his life.
Chris Chhoeun “Chewy”, Trumpet/Vocals,
Chewy is a finance professional from Middletown, CT. After relocating to Los Angeles for 3 years, he moved back to Connecticut in March 2020 and is ecstatic to be a part of the band’s 3rd studio album “Vertical”. His biggest trumpet influences are Eric Benny Bloom, Miles Davis, and Roy Hargrove.