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PAUL: Inspired by my father, I started playing the guitar at the age of 5. I picked up the trumpet in grade school and played through my college years and NMSU. The trumpet lead me to jazz groups, orchestras, concert groups, veteran memorials and marching band. That's where I learned to move and groove at the same time. I focused more on the guitar in the 80's and since then played in groups such as Diversion, Squigglefish, Skin and Bones, Jazz du Jour and presently in Form and Funktion. In my spare time, I volunteer in the pit orchestra for The Jeff City Little Theater and The Capital City Players. Oh, and I sing a little too. |
ERIC: At a very young age I aspired to become a musician. I considered piano, violin, guitar and a host of other instruments. I strived for a sound that best expressed my personality and musical ideas. In the early 70's I discovered the smooth, contemporary voice of Grover Washington Jr.'s alto sax. I began playing alto sax in 1971 and by 1973 I was jamming whenever and wherever I could. My credits include: music education at Lincoln University, performing for such artists as Sammy Davis Jr. and Clark Terry, 2 Chicago Jazz Festivals, The International Sky Diving Convention, Gladstone Blues Festival and Music Educators National Conference. I have performed with such groups as The Power Station, Avatar, Narada Band, Saffire and The Fat Tuesday Band. Presently in Eric Avant and Jazz du Jour and Form and Funktion. I, the Saxman, play Tenor Sax, Alto Sax, Soprano Sax, Flute, Clarinet, Harmonica, Congas, Percussion, Keyboard (if needed), background vocals, lead vocals and a partrige in a pear treeeeee! Musical Inspiration: Grover Washington Jr. |
JOHN: I started playing bass shortly after graduating high school in Kirkville, MO in 1993 simply because I was constantly surrounded by musicians and I has a passion for music. I decided to try Bass Guitar as no one I knew played bass, so I figured I might have a chance of actually joining a band. I started playing hard rock and was in my first band in 1995. I played my frist gig with them after a year of practice, but unfortuately the band broke up shortly after realizing Kirksville was no place for a rock band. I immediately found myself practicing the blues scales and I found I had a pretty good feel for it, so after about a year of working on it, I was asked to try out for my second band called Blue Voodoo. This band taught me how to lock in tight with the drummer and keep it simple, a philosophy I still try to follow to this very day. I felt Kirksville didn't have much more to offer me musically, so I decided to move to Columbia, MO in late 1998 in hopes of collaborating with like-minded musicians. I started jamming with everyone I could and every chance I got in hopes of improving my playing and listening skills. After a year I lucked into a band that happens to play both Funk and Classic Rock, a.k.a., Form and Funktion, and the rest is history..... Musical Insiration: Les Claypool |
JASON: I was born and raised in Jefferson City, MO. I found the drums through a local Jazz Drummer named Hughey Abrahams. He helped set forth my love and ambition of the craft. After years of studying, I joined my first band at the age of 16. My drumming career includes: 1985 DCI Chapion J.C. Drumline, currently in 12th year of teaching private drum lessons, performing in over 27 theatrical plays and I enjoy playing in my current band Form and Funktion. Along with the duties of drumming, I sing and have a great time with my bandmates. Musical Inspiration: Neil Peart |
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