About Jazz Funk Soul

Supergroup Jazz Funk Soul (Everette Harp, Jeff Lorber & Paul Jackson Jr.) Orchestrates the Perfect Forecast on Anticipated New Recording of Originals Out August 5th!

“A hefty, and very tasty helping of jazz, funk and soul...with the ability to blend their styles seamlessly.” – JazzTimes Magazine
“Creatively vibrant unit with a shared vision.” – AllMusic

Omne trium perfectum — everything that comes in threes is perfect. When it comes to the trio Jazz Funk Soul (JFS), this statement rings true. Saxophonist Everette Harp, keyboardist Jeff Lorber, and guitarist Paul Jackson Jr. are the perfect union of balance and harmony, the right ebb and flow of laid-back cool and gritty-driving intensity, and the complete package of musical wonder. These towering giants of Contemporary Jazz—who have collaborated with icons like Quincy Jones, Aretha Franklin, and B.B. King—are like cosmic rays, emitting unlimited musical possibilities. Each member is a dazzling virtuoso, accomplished bandleader, composer, and producer in their own right.

“We each bring our own interpretations of Contemporary and Mainstream Jazz together in a way that allows us to break the bonds of the normal approach to Smooth Jazz,” shares Harp. “By using our years of collective vocabulary, we freely express ourselves musically using everything we have at our disposal. Plus, we can leap tall diminished chords in a single bound!”

Taking giant steps is what Jazz Funk Soul is used to. The dynamic threesome are responsible for selling millions of albums and scoring more than 50 #1 Smooth Jazz radio hits. Forecast (Shanachie Entertainment, August 5, 2022), their fourth recording, is a shining example of their magnetic chemistry and inspired performances. At the core of the trio’s allure is their genuine camaraderie, anchored by each member’s passion to create. “All of us love music, especially Jazz—not to mention Funk and Soul!” exclaims Lorber. “Our unique talents complement each other. Paul is known as an ace session player and one of the finest rhythm guitarists in the world, and Everette is a force of nature with the saxophone. I enjoy comping behind and supporting these guys, and tossing in some of my blues and bebop licks when I solo.”

Harp adds, “The respect I have for Jeff and Paul is immense. Their accomplishments would be enough for ten musicians’ lifetimes.” Jackson continues, “JFS is a threefold convergence of hard work, experience over time, and the blessing of the Lord. Jeff and Everette are arguably two of the best soloists with whom I’ve ever worked.”

The original incarnation of Jazz Funk Soul began in 2014 when Everette Harp, Jeff Lorber, and Chuck Loeb formed the band with the mission of capturing the spontaneity and explosive chemistry of their live shows on record. In 2017, the Jazz world was shaken by the untimely passing of Chuck Loeb. “Chuck was an important part of the start of JFS. He was certainly the JAZZ in Jazz Funk Soul,” reflects Everette. “The spirit and joy he brought into his play was infectious. There were no coasting nights—he’d smoke you if you didn’t bring it.”

Lorber shares, “I feel very lucky to have had the chance to know and collaborate with Chuck. He was a sweet guy, fun to hang out with, and prodigiously talented.” Jackson adds, “I toured with Chuck in a guitar trio and loved dueling with him—it was an experience I’ll never forget. I would not have joined JFS if I did not feel I could honor his legacy.”

In a tasteful tribute on Forecast, JFS pay homage to Chuck with the memorable “CLS (for Chuck Samuel Loeb).”

As the trio moved forward, Jackson shares his metaphor: “One of my longtime hobbies is lake fishing. You must cast your line forward to catch anything. For me, Forecast is JFS casting our musical net into the world to ‘catch’ music listeners everywhere—and I think we have the right bait!”

Forecast began to take shape as the pandemic hit. “It was weird,” recalls Lorber, “but being home made focusing on this project easier.” Harp shares, “Forecast alludes to the continuing progress of the group in defining its sound, direction, and place in the genre. We want to push musical dialogue toward our forefathers where jazz history still informs the future of contemporary jazz.”

The invigorating ten-track set opens with Lorber’s finger-poppin’ and snappy “Hustle,” featuring Gary Novak (drums), MonoNeon (bass), and David Mann (sax). Harp’s enchanting R&B ballad “Keep Holding On” highlights his mesmerizing alto and showcases the trio’s telepathic interplay. “Funkin’ In AZ” shifts into high gear with a searing performance rooted in deep funk. “The working title was DS—for David Sanborn,” says Harp, who crafted the track with Marcus Miller and Ray Bardani to honor one of his greatest influences.

The delightful and bluesy title track “Forecast” finds all elements aligning perfectly. “The track represents the forward thinking and exploration we strive for,” says Lorber. “We started as a live group, but four albums later, we’ve proved we’re a real band with a bright future.”

“Bouncing Right Back” brings optimism and renewal. Paul Jackson Jr.’s sizzling “Fish Grease” blends Crusaders soul-jazz with Memphis groove, showing off his technical ferocity—including a rare Dobro performance. The up-tempo “Count Me In” is intoxicating, the pensive “When The Time Comes” offers serenity, and “Hidden in Plain Sight” fuses technical virtuosity with emotional fire. “There’s enough negativity in the world,” says Lorber. “We hope our record is an oasis of fun and positive vibes.”

Jeff Lorber, pianist, composer, and producer, has been a defining force in Contemporary Jazz for over four decades. A Fender Rhodes pioneer, he has produced for artists including Dave Koz and Kenny G. His Jeff Lorber Fusion album Prototype won a Grammy in 2015. “It’s important to challenge yourself," he says. "Good is not good enough—it has to be great.”

Everette Harp