A 30-Year Milestone

In 2025, Redtenbacher’s Funkestra celebrate their 30th anniversary. For three decades, the band has been propelled forward by bassist, composer, and producer Stefan Redtenbacher, an Austrian-born Berklee graduate who made the UK his home in 1996.

What sets the Funkestra apart is not flashy hype but tenacity, independence, and a fierce love of groove. Through shifting fashions, highs and lows, and evolving line-ups, Stefan has kept the band true to its path: nurturing the music over long stretches of time and growing with every collaboration.

The Berklee Beginnings

The Funkestra’s “birthdate” is October 19, 1995, when Stefan led a recital in room 1W at Berklee College of Music. Yet the roots go back to 1994, when the first ideas for the band began forming. Armed with a degree in ‘Professional Music’ and immersed in funk and jazz traditions, Stefan was ready to carve his own way.

Read more about the recital HERE.

The following same year, just after recording ‘Boozing Wizards (Searching For The Stone Of Funk)’ he moved to the UK—an independent leap that set the stage for what would become a lifelong project.

Four Phases of the Funkestra

The band has evolved in phases, each shaped by different players and circumstances:

  • Mark I (Boston) – the early US-based incarnation. (‘Boozing Wizards’)

  • Mark II (London) – founded after Stefan’s move in 1996.

  • Mark III – the long-running nucleus around drummer Mike Sturgis and guitarist Eran Kendler. (Key releases: ‘Falling From Insanity’, ‘Hausmusik’, ‘Concubine Chronicles’, ‘The Cooker’, ‘Dr Hypenstein’, ‘The Time Thief’)

  • Mark IV (Collective) – the current line-up since 2018, a flexible group of outstanding players who also serve as the Masterlink Sessions house band. (Key records: ‘The Hang’, ‘Big Funk Band’, ‘The Colours of Joni’, ‘Live Your Best Dream’).

The formats have ranged from tight rhythm sections to expansive horn-led ensembles. Yet through each shift, the independent spirit stayed at the centre.

Note that the ‘classic’ Funkestra line-up is known for instrumental Jazz funk, yet there have been some fun collaborations with vocalists resulting in some stylistically diverse sound recordings. ‘Littlle Black Raincloud’ EP with Brendan Reilly, ‘Part of Me’ album with Helena May, ‘Signature Soul’ album with Jo Harman, ‘Seven Roads’ album with Jade Like The Stone and ‘In Session’ album with Rumer.

Groove and Tenacity

Funk, jazz, and fusion have risen and fallen in fashion since the mid-1990s. But Stefan never strayed. He stayed committed to groove-based, horn-driven music, always looking for ways to refine and deepen the sound.

That long view—choosing growth over quick trends—has given the Funkestra unusual longevity. Each project builds on the last, creating a catalogue that feels both wide and cohesive.

The Catalogue and FUNKOPIA

Over 30 years, the Funkestra have released dozens of albums, EPs and singles. Each record carries the hallmarks of their approach: tight grooves, inventive horn writing, and finely balanced production.

Fans often ask Stefan to name a favourite album. He insists it’s impossible—each feels like a musical child. Still, the forthcoming release FUNKOPIA is a landmark. Arriving in October 2025, it returns to the classic Funkestra sound while also pushing forward. Like earlier milestones (The Hang, Dr Hypenstein), it is built on collaboration—the element that keeps the project vital.

The release will be supported by a UK and European tour, bringing the new material to life alongside favourites from the back catalogue.

You can check out the detailed Funkestra discography HERE.

Collaboration at the Core

Collaboration has been central to the Funkestra’s growth. Major creative partners include:

  • Thomas Feurer – saxophonist, producer, composer, and arranger and all around music business guru
  • Michael B. Nelson – trombonist and arranger (Prince, Hornheads, Cory Wong)
  • Andreas See – saxophonist and co-writer
  • Nichol Thomson – trombonist, co-writer and arranger
  • Tony Remy – guitarist, co-writerand arranger
  • Carter Arrington – guitarist and co-writer
  • Peter Tomasso – arranger and orchestrator
  • Beat Fatigue – Glitch Funk producer and remixer

Each has helped the band grow, not by chasing fashion but by evolving through collaboration.

Collaborating with legends and outstanding musicians

All of the Funkestra records feature a near ridiculous amount of outstanding musicians from the UK music scene and London in particular. They also feature a fair few musicians from the US who have either deeply influenced or inspired Stefan through the years.

Bonafide funk legends like the late saxophonist Alfred ‘Pee Wee’ Ellis (‘The Time Thief’), trombonist Fred Wesley (‘Falling From Insanity’, ‘Hausmusik’) and TOP baritone saxophonist Stephen ‘Doc’ Kupka (‘Hausmusik’) and TOP tenor saxophonist Lenny Pickett (‘The Cooker’). These musicians are pioneers of the music that the Funkestra is built upon.

The album ‘Big Funk Band’ features a host of internationally renown drummers with Stanton Moore (Galactic), Keith Carlock (Toto, Steely Dan, John Mayer), Francesco Mendolia (Incognito), Benny Greb whereas ‘The Time Thief’ features saxophone titans Chris Hunter (Gil Evans Orchestra), Andy Snitzer (Rolling Stones), Rick Margitza (Miles Davis), Pee Wee Ellis (James Brown) and Kenni Holmen (Prince, Cory Wong).

On guitars we had legendary session guitarist Elliott Randall (Steely Dan) on ‘Hausmusik’ and contemporaries Cory Wong (‘Big Funk Band’) and Eric Krasno (Lettuce, Soulive) on ‘The Cooker’.

It was always great to connect with all these outstanding musicians and have them guest on Funkestra tunes and record alongside the stellar and top notch regular players. Also very interesting to hear them interpret the compositions and arrangements – always full of positive surprises!

The Masterlink Sessions

Collaboration also drives the Masterlink Sessions, where the Funkestra serve as the house band. Since its launch, the project has produced over 150 live-in-the-studio videos and hundreds of songs across different genres. This includes videos with Grammy winners Mike Farris and Phil Lassiter, UK ‘royality’ Hamish Stuart and Sarah Jane Morris, pop greats like Mutya Buena (Sugababes) and Blessing Annatoria (The Voice UK) and host of immensly talented, established and upcoming artists from the UK’s vibrant music scene.

Stefan’s work for the Masterlink Sessions has naturally lead him to produce and co-produce records for other artists like Connor Selby (Blues), Rumer (Pop, Easy Listening), Elles Bailey (Blues Rock), Jo Harman (Soul), Jade Like The Stone, (Psychedelic Rock) and Hollie Rogers (Singer-songwriter) to name but a few. And of couse, Stefan asked the musicians from the Funkestra collective to record these productions with him.

The Sessions earned a YouTube Award, extending the reach of this Surrey-based collective to audiences worldwide. They also embody the values that have sustained the Funkestra: community, creativity, and craft.

Live on Stage

The Funkestra’s reputation extends well beyond the studio. They have sold out shows at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London, have been a regular at the London 606 Club from 2006-2020 and have toured in Germany, Austria, and the USA. Their live shows are known for tight arrangements, energy, and infectious groove—each performance both disciplined and free-spirited. Although Stefan Redtenbacher is a serious, hard driving and healthily obsessive creative, he enjoys a light and fun banter with the audience, particularily in a club environment. At times his compairing – always respectful toward his fellow musicians on the band stand – could be viewed as quirky, at times irreverant but always light-hearted and fun.

Have a more detailed read what others think of their live performances HERE.

A Legacy of Independence

As they mark 30 years, the qualities that defined the Funkestra from the start remain unchanged:

  • Independence – staying true to their own path.

  • Tenacity – continuing through shifting fashions.

  • Collaboration – growing stronger with each project.

  • Longevity – nurturing music over time.

With FUNKOPIA and the anniversary tour, Redtenbacher’s Funkestra honour their past while stepping into the future. The groove continues—steady, evolving, and independent as ever.