Upcoming shows

Redtenbacher’s Funkestra featuring Carter Arrington present The Exchange: a new guitar-driven jazz-funk fusion project powered by deep grooves, bold improvisation and explosive live chemistry. Following the success of last year’s 30-year anniversary FUNKOPIA tour, this limited-run UK run launches the forthcoming collaborative album from Stefan Redtenbacher and Carter Arrington, pairing new material with selected Funkestra highlights. Expect a high-impact set of fervent guitar playing, tight ensemble interplay and exhilarating fusion throughout. REDTENBACHER'S FUNKESTRA led by Austrian bassist, composer and producer Stefan Redtenbacher, is a long-established UK jazz-funk collective built on composition, horn arranging and the strength of the ensemble. With 19 million Spotify streams, more than 20 albums on RSB Records and over 450 performance videos recognised with a YouTube Silver Creator Award, the band has become a distinctive independent creative force. Founded at Berklee College of Music in the mid-1990s, Funkestra also serves as the Masterlink Sessions Collective, recording with artists including Rumer, Connor Selby and Elles Bailey, while also giving rise to the acclaimed Joni Reimagined Project, which led to two albums, international touring and sold-out shows at Ronnie Scott’s. Collaborators have included Fred Wesley, members of Tower of Power’s horn section, musicians from Prince’s New Power Generation and Incognito, plus Alfred ‘Pee Wee’ Ellis, Eric Krasno, Stanton Moore, Cory Wong, Benny Greb, Keith Carlock, Rick Margitza, Andy Snitzer and Chris Hunter. CARTER ARRINGTON is a highly versatile guitarist whose playing brings together fusion fluency, groove, lyricism and serious live-band experience. Based in Austin, Texas, he is described on his own site as a guitarist working across performance, recording and teaching, with credits including Progger, Arthur Brown, Peter Rowan, David Grissom and Alejandro Escovedo. His long-running creative partnership with drummer Kirk Covington has produced the album Gamelan Road, presented as a full-length fusion collaboration, while his work with Masterlink Sessions and Redtenbacher’s Funkestra has shown another side of his artistry: sharply interactive, groove-driven and deeply collaborative, whether featured on tracks such as “Truffle Shuffle” or appearing within the wider Funkestra/Masterlink world. With roots in the University of Texas at Austin and years of immersion in the Austin scene, Arrington stands out as a guitarist who combines technical command with musical character, moving naturally between modern fusion, session work, live improvisation and cross-Atlantic collaborations.

Redtenbacher’s Funkestra featuring Carter Arrington present The Exchange: a new guitar-driven jazz-funk fusion project powered by deep grooves, bold improvisation and explosive live chemistry. Following the success of last year’s 30-year anniversary FUNKOPIA tour, this limited-run UK run launches the forthcoming collaborative album from Stefan Redtenbacher and Carter Arrington, pairing new material with selected Funkestra highlights. Expect a high-impact set of fervent guitar playing, tight ensemble interplay and exhilarating fusion throughout. REDTENBACHER'S FUNKESTRA led by Austrian bassist, composer and producer Stefan Redtenbacher, is a long-established UK jazz-funk collective built on composition, horn arranging and the strength of the ensemble. With 19 million Spotify streams, more than 20 albums on RSB Records and over 450 performance videos recognised with a YouTube Silver Creator Award, the band has become a distinctive independent creative force. Founded at Berklee College of Music in the mid-1990s, Funkestra also serves as the Masterlink Sessions Collective, recording with artists including Rumer, Connor Selby and Elles Bailey, while also giving rise to the acclaimed Joni Reimagined Project, which led to two albums, international touring and sold-out shows at Ronnie Scott’s. Collaborators have included Fred Wesley, members of Tower of Power’s horn section, musicians from Prince’s New Power Generation and Incognito, plus Alfred ‘Pee Wee’ Ellis, Eric Krasno, Stanton Moore, Cory Wong, Benny Greb, Keith Carlock, Rick Margitza, Andy Snitzer and Chris Hunter. CARTER ARRINGTON is a highly versatile guitarist whose playing brings together fusion fluency, groove, lyricism and serious live-band experience. Based in Austin, Texas, he is described on his own site as a guitarist working across performance, recording and teaching, with credits including Progger, Arthur Brown, Peter Rowan, David Grissom and Alejandro Escovedo. His long-running creative partnership with drummer Kirk Covington has produced the album Gamelan Road, presented as a full-length fusion collaboration, while his work with Masterlink Sessions and Redtenbacher’s Funkestra has shown another side of his artistry: sharply interactive, groove-driven and deeply collaborative, whether featured on tracks such as “Truffle Shuffle” or appearing within the wider Funkestra/Masterlink world. With roots in the University of Texas at Austin and years of immersion in the Austin scene, Arrington stands out as a guitarist who combines technical command with musical character, moving naturally between modern fusion, session work, live improvisation and cross-Atlantic collaborations.

Redtenbacher’s Funkestra featuring Carter Arrington present The Exchange: a new guitar-driven jazz-funk fusion project powered by deep grooves, bold improvisation and explosive live chemistry. Following the success of last year’s 30-year anniversary FUNKOPIA tour, this limited-run UK run launches the forthcoming collaborative album from Stefan Redtenbacher and Carter Arrington, pairing new material with selected Funkestra highlights. Expect a high-impact set of fervent guitar playing, tight ensemble interplay and exhilarating fusion throughout. REDTENBACHER'S FUNKESTRA led by Austrian bassist, composer and producer Stefan Redtenbacher, is a long-established UK jazz-funk collective built on composition, horn arranging and the strength of the ensemble. With 19 million Spotify streams, more than 20 albums on RSB Records and over 450 performance videos recognised with a YouTube Silver Creator Award, the band has become a distinctive independent creative force. Founded at Berklee College of Music in the mid-1990s, Funkestra also serves as the Masterlink Sessions Collective, recording with artists including Rumer, Connor Selby and Elles Bailey, while also giving rise to the acclaimed Joni Reimagined Project, which led to two albums, international touring and sold-out shows at Ronnie Scott’s. Collaborators have included Fred Wesley, members of Tower of Power’s horn section, musicians from Prince’s New Power Generation and Incognito, plus Alfred ‘Pee Wee’ Ellis, Eric Krasno, Stanton Moore, Cory Wong, Benny Greb, Keith Carlock, Rick Margitza, Andy Snitzer and Chris Hunter. CARTER ARRINGTON is a highly versatile guitarist whose playing brings together fusion fluency, groove, lyricism and serious live-band experience. Based in Austin, Texas, he is described on his own site as a guitarist working across performance, recording and teaching, with credits including Progger, Arthur Brown, Peter Rowan, David Grissom and Alejandro Escovedo. His long-running creative partnership with drummer Kirk Covington has produced the album Gamelan Road, presented as a full-length fusion collaboration, while his work with Masterlink Sessions and Redtenbacher’s Funkestra has shown another side of his artistry: sharply interactive, groove-driven and deeply collaborative, whether featured on tracks such as “Truffle Shuffle” or appearing within the wider Funkestra/Masterlink world. With roots in the University of Texas at Austin and years of immersion in the Austin scene, Arrington stands out as a guitarist who combines technical command with musical character, moving naturally between modern fusion, session work, live improvisation and cross-Atlantic collaborations.

Redtenbacher’s Funkestra featuring Carter Arrington present The Exchange: a new guitar-driven jazz-funk fusion project powered by deep grooves, bold improvisation and explosive live chemistry. Following the success of last year’s 30-year anniversary FUNKOPIA tour, this limited-run UK run launches the forthcoming collaborative album from Stefan Redtenbacher and Carter Arrington, pairing new material with selected Funkestra highlights. Expect a high-impact set of fervent guitar playing, tight ensemble interplay and exhilarating fusion throughout. REDTENBACHER'S FUNKESTRA led by Austrian bassist, composer and producer Stefan Redtenbacher, is a long-established UK jazz-funk collective built on composition, horn arranging and the strength of the ensemble. With 19 million Spotify streams, more than 20 albums on RSB Records and over 450 performance videos recognised with a YouTube Silver Creator Award, the band has become a distinctive independent creative force. Founded at Berklee College of Music in the mid-1990s, Funkestra also serves as the Masterlink Sessions Collective, recording with artists including Rumer, Connor Selby and Elles Bailey, while also giving rise to the acclaimed Joni Reimagined Project, which led to two albums, international touring and sold-out shows at Ronnie Scott’s. Collaborators have included Fred Wesley, members of Tower of Power’s horn section, musicians from Prince’s New Power Generation and Incognito, plus Alfred ‘Pee Wee’ Ellis, Eric Krasno, Stanton Moore, Cory Wong, Benny Greb, Keith Carlock, Rick Margitza, Andy Snitzer and Chris Hunter. CARTER ARRINGTON is a highly versatile guitarist whose playing brings together fusion fluency, groove, lyricism and serious live-band experience. Based in Austin, Texas, he is described on his own site as a guitarist working across performance, recording and teaching, with credits including Progger, Arthur Brown, Peter Rowan, David Grissom and Alejandro Escovedo. His long-running creative partnership with drummer Kirk Covington has produced the album Gamelan Road, presented as a full-length fusion collaboration, while his work with Masterlink Sessions and Redtenbacher’s Funkestra has shown another side of his artistry: sharply interactive, groove-driven and deeply collaborative, whether featured on tracks such as “Truffle Shuffle” or appearing within the wider Funkestra/Masterlink world. With roots in the University of Texas at Austin and years of immersion in the Austin scene, Arrington stands out as a guitarist who combines technical command with musical character, moving naturally between modern fusion, session work, live improvisation and cross-Atlantic collaborations.

Redtenbacher’s Funkestra featuring Carter Arrington present The Exchange: a new guitar-driven jazz-funk fusion project powered by deep grooves, bold improvisation and explosive live chemistry. Following the success of last year’s 30-year anniversary FUNKOPIA tour, this limited-run UK run launches the forthcoming collaborative album from Stefan Redtenbacher and Carter Arrington, pairing new material with selected Funkestra highlights. Expect a high-impact set of fervent guitar playing, tight ensemble interplay and exhilarating fusion throughout. REDTENBACHER'S FUNKESTRA led by Austrian bassist, composer and producer Stefan Redtenbacher, is a long-established UK jazz-funk collective built on composition, horn arranging and the strength of the ensemble. With 19 million Spotify streams, more than 20 albums on RSB Records and over 450 performance videos recognised with a YouTube Silver Creator Award, the band has become a distinctive independent creative force. Founded at Berklee College of Music in the mid-1990s, Funkestra also serves as the Masterlink Sessions Collective, recording with artists including Rumer, Connor Selby and Elles Bailey, while also giving rise to the acclaimed Joni Reimagined Project, which led to two albums, international touring and sold-out shows at Ronnie Scott’s. Collaborators have included Fred Wesley, members of Tower of Power’s horn section, musicians from Prince’s New Power Generation and Incognito, plus Alfred ‘Pee Wee’ Ellis, Eric Krasno, Stanton Moore, Cory Wong, Benny Greb, Keith Carlock, Rick Margitza, Andy Snitzer and Chris Hunter. CARTER ARRINGTON is a highly versatile guitarist whose playing brings together fusion fluency, groove, lyricism and serious live-band experience. Based in Austin, Texas, he is described on his own site as a guitarist working across performance, recording and teaching, with credits including Progger, Arthur Brown, Peter Rowan, David Grissom and Alejandro Escovedo. His long-running creative partnership with drummer Kirk Covington has produced the album Gamelan Road, presented as a full-length fusion collaboration, while his work with Masterlink Sessions and Redtenbacher’s Funkestra has shown another side of his artistry: sharply interactive, groove-driven and deeply collaborative, whether featured on tracks such as “Truffle Shuffle” or appearing within the wider Funkestra/Masterlink world. With roots in the University of Texas at Austin and years of immersion in the Austin scene, Arrington stands out as a guitarist who combines technical command with musical character, moving naturally between modern fusion, session work, live improvisation and cross-Atlantic collaborations.

It is time to bring a proper Jazz Funk con Fusion Fest to Guildford. With Masterlink Sessions right on Guildford’s doorstep, this feels like the perfect home-turf moment. Over the years, Redtenbacher’s Funkestra has grown into a key part of the wider Masterlink Sessions Collective, creating the live-in-the-studio, fly-on-the-wall performances that have connected so many great musicians and projects. Out of that world came creative collaborations with Emily Francis and Chris Booth - from Joni Reimagined and W3 Live at Masterlink to the recent No Future Blues session featuring Chris on guitar with Emily on keys. Since Emily, Chris and Stefan all lead their own bands, bringing everyone together for one night in Guildford felt like the obvious next move. This evening is about instrumental music, real connection and the wider family spirit behind the Masterlink Sessions Collective. Three bands, one shared musical world, and the kind of atmosphere where anything can happen. And yes, if all goes to plan, there could well be a serious end-of-night jam in the spirit of Miles Davis Live at the Fillmore. EMILY FRANCIS TRIO Described as a “thing of rare beauty” by Jazzwise, the Emily Francis Trio knows no bounds as they continue to wow audiences across the UK and beyond. Led by keyboardist Emily Francis, and featuring bass maestro Trevor Boxall, and drum superstar Jamie Murray, the trio fuses their own style of high-energy, melodically-driven jazz with sounds from the worlds of progressive rock and pop, electronic music, and influences spanning the 60s, 70s, and 80s. The band has built up a loyal following among both jazz and prog fans, with several successful tours encompassing headline shows at prestigious venues, such as Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. CHRIS BOOTH & BAND London-based guitarist Chris Booth brings groove, energy and improvisational flair to the Jazz Funk Fusion Fest. A versatile live and session player, his credits include Incognito, Myles Sanko, W3 and Ronnie Scott’s, underlining a strong reputation across the UK jazz-funk and fusion scene. Appearing with his own band, Chris is set to deliver a performance full of musicianship, riveting gujtar work with a contemporary edge. FUNKESTRA Redtenbacher’s Funkestra, led by Austrian bassist, composer and producer Stefan Redtenbacher, is a long-established UK jazz-funk collective built on composition, horn arranging and the strength of the ensemble. With 19 million Spotify streams, more than 20 albums on RSB Records and over 450 performance videos recognised with a YouTube Silver Creator Award, the band has become a distinctive independent creative force. Founded at Berklee College of Music in the mid-1990s, Funkestra also serves as the Masterlink Sessions Collective, recording with artists including Rumer, Connor Selby and Elles Bailey, while also giving rise to the acclaimed Joni Reimagined Project, which led to two albums, international touring and sold-out shows at Ronnie Scott’s. Collaborators have included Fred Wesley, members of Tower of Power’s horn section, musicians from Prince’s New Power Generation and Incognito, plus Alfred ‘Pee Wee’ Ellis, Eric Krasno, Stanton Moore, Cory Wong, Benny Greb, Keith Carlock, Rick Margitza, Andy Snitzer and Chris Hunter.

Redtenbacher’s Funkestra featuring Carter Arrington present The Exchange: a new guitar-driven jazz-funk fusion project powered by deep grooves, bold improvisation and explosive live chemistry. Following the success of last year’s 30-year anniversary FUNKOPIA tour, this limited-run UK run launches the forthcoming collaborative album from Stefan Redtenbacher and Carter Arrington, pairing new material with selected Funkestra highlights. Expect a high-impact set of fervent guitar playing, tight ensemble interplay and exhilarating fusion throughout. REDTENBACHER'S FUNKESTRA led by Austrian bassist, composer and producer Stefan Redtenbacher, is a long-established UK jazz-funk collective built on composition, horn arranging and the strength of the ensemble. With 19 million Spotify streams, more than 20 albums on RSB Records and over 450 performance videos recognised with a YouTube Silver Creator Award, the band has become a distinctive independent creative force. Founded at Berklee College of Music in the mid-1990s, Funkestra also serves as the Masterlink Sessions Collective, recording with artists including Rumer, Connor Selby and Elles Bailey, while also giving rise to the acclaimed Joni Reimagined Project, which led to two albums, international touring and sold-out shows at Ronnie Scott’s. Collaborators have included Fred Wesley, members of Tower of Power’s horn section, musicians from Prince’s New Power Generation and Incognito, plus Alfred ‘Pee Wee’ Ellis, Eric Krasno, Stanton Moore, Cory Wong, Benny Greb, Keith Carlock, Rick Margitza, Andy Snitzer and Chris Hunter. CARTER ARRINGTON is a highly versatile guitarist whose playing brings together fusion fluency, groove, lyricism and serious live-band experience. Based in Austin, Texas, he is described on his own site as a guitarist working across performance, recording and teaching, with credits including Progger, Arthur Brown, Peter Rowan, David Grissom and Alejandro Escovedo. His long-running creative partnership with drummer Kirk Covington has produced the album Gamelan Road, presented as a full-length fusion collaboration, while his work with Masterlink Sessions and Redtenbacher’s Funkestra has shown another side of his artistry: sharply interactive, groove-driven and deeply collaborative, whether featured on tracks such as “Truffle Shuffle” or appearing within the wider Funkestra/Masterlink world. With roots in the University of Texas at Austin and years of immersion in the Austin scene, Arrington stands out as a guitarist who combines technical command with musical character, moving naturally between modern fusion, session work, live improvisation and cross-Atlantic collaborations.