| Funk Filharmonik | |
| Origin: | Huntington, New York, United States |
| Years Active: | 1985–present |
| Label: | 31220 Music |
| Associated Acts: | Tower of Power |
Funk Filharmonik is a long-running a funk and soul outfit from Astoria, New York which has been together since the mid-1980s. The group contains former Tower of Power members. Individually and collectively the group has performed and recorded with major artists.
The group was formed in Huntington in 1985.[1] The original name for the group was Funk Philharmonia. Their first show was on November 21, 1985. They are one of the longest-running groups from Long Island.[2] In the late 1990s, there were two former Tower of Power members in its lineup.[3] Two of the founding members were drummer Lee Finkelstein and trombonist and singer, Ozzie Melendez.[4] [5] Melendez has recorded with Celine Dion, Billy Joel, Jennifer Lopez and Lita Ford.[6] Finkelstein has worked with Ben E. King, Donna Summer, Blood, Sweat & Tears, and the Tower of Power.[7] Members of the group have worked with and recorded with artists such as Tito Puente, Willie Colon, Freddie Hubbard, Jonathan Butler, Marc Anthony, Lionel Hampton, and the Brecker Brothers.[8]
In 2008, they released their album Everybody Get Down.[9] Guest musicians on the album included Barry Danielian, Carl Fischer, Jillian Armsbury, Tim Lawless and Ted Kumpel.[10]
In April 2015, the group was appearing with Troy Ramey at K.J. Farrells in Nassau County.[11] In late November 2015, the group was appearing at The Rockville Centre in New York.[12]