A tight rhythm section, loud horns and an organ: yes – this is funk. At North Sea Jazz in 2016, Con Brio guitarist and frontman Ziek McCarter entertained audiences with funk riffs and dance moves reminiscent of Michael Jackson and James Brown. Musically, too, it’s hard not to be reminded of them, or of Sly & The Family Stone for whom the band members have a shared soft spot. The band can let their guitars scream like a rock band or glide seductively like soul musicians but underneath it all, there is always their funk heritage. With their stage performance, danceable breaks and tremendous positive energy the band has built a considerable live reputation. And that is what Con Brio means: it is a musical term for performing with spirit and vigor.
