About Funkty Dumpty
Funkty Dumpty formed early in 2004 and have built up a reputation as the best upbeat funk, soul & disco functions band in the UK.
The band in its entirety is made up of 9 full-time musicians who between them have an astounding amount of experience in the live music arena and can entertain any crowd.
With the emphatic vocals of Charlotte Benson, who appeared on BBC television's 'Star For A Night' and the highly acclaimed band and backing singers, the band have built up a repertoire of the best of funk, soul & disco classics including Car Wash, Disco Inferno & Le Freak and also play current chart hits from artists including Christina Aguilera, Scissor Sisters and Beyonce.
The band can cater for all functions, from weddings to corporate events with a choice of a 5-9 piece band, including full brass section!
Funkty Dumpty are perfect for all your goodtime occasions!
Testimonials
“Dear Charlotte & the band, Thank you so much for your amazing performance at our wedding last Saturday! We had such a good time dancing (as you probably guessed!) and so did all our friends and family. The set lists worked brilliantly and everyone commented that it was great live music and that you have a fantastic voice. So thank you once again for making our wedding reception so memorable for both us and our guests.”
- Louise & Jon, Newly Weds, October 2008
“I just wanted to extend thanks from all at Factor 3 for a fantastic night's entertainment provided by Funkty Dumpty. I don't think I have ever seen so many people dancing at our annual party for our clients and the shouts of 'more' at the end of the evening were testament to how much everyone enjoyed the music.”
- Amanda Keane, Factor 3, September 2008
“Hello Charlotte, Just wanted to say a huge thank you for Sunday, we had the best day ever, all our friends and family were so impressed by the band. You guys were amazing and made the evening... Thank you once again for a totally memorable day and evening.”
- Johanna & Andy, Newly Weds, Plymouth, August 2008
“Hi Charlotte, Just a quick email to say a HUGE thank you to you and your band for helping to make our wedding such a memorable occassion - you were absolutely brilliant and kept everybody, young and old dancing all night, so many compliments were made about how good you were. Hopefully we will see you again - I am sure there may be some more bookings from the Cornwall direction in the future! All the best and thanks so much again!”
- Steve & Lisa, Newly Weds, Truro, August 2008
“Hi Charlotte, Can I pass on thanks from students and staff alike who really enjoyed both your sets last night.The evening was a great success and you guys played a huge part in that. I know this is jumping ahead but can I provisionally book you in for next year?!”
- Ciaran Ryder, Duchy College, Cornwall, June 2008
“Hi Charlotte! Good to hear from you; glad you enjoyed playing at our wedding as much as we enjoyed having you guys there - you sounded amazing! It was great seeing so many friends & family boogying on the dancefloor... Thanks soooooo much once again!”
- Mr & Mrs Wimshurst(!) aka A-M & Tom, Newly Weds, Devon, May 2008
“The feedback was very good and everybody was happy especially the F & B manager and this is a very good point. They told me that the singer was great also as well as all the band.”
- Joseph Yaacoub, SM Entertainment, Lebanon. The agent for our New Years Eve 2007/08 performance at The Sheraton Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi, UAE
“Charlotte - sorry for the delay in sending this note... but just a quick email to say thanks to you and your band for such a fantastic performance at our wedding. As you can probably guess from the people on the dance floor, everyone loved your band... had loads of comments and wouldn't be surprised if you get a few bookings as a result!“
- Richard & Suzanne, Newly Weds, Bristol, September 2007
“Hi Charlotte! A big, big thank you for being so amazing. Everyone said how good you were and enjoyed the music. A special thank you for learning the first dance for us, it was performed brilliantly and meant so much to us; it was one of the most emotional moments of the day."
- Leo & Julie, Newly Weds, Bristol, July 2007
“…our Jazz singer for the reception speaks very highly of your band as well - you have a wonderful reputation.” … “Thank you so very much for your email and also for being absolutely amazing for our wedding - you certainly made the evening amazing!!"
- Micheala Deasy, Events Organiser & Bride, Clifton, September 2006
“…we had a brilliant day and the band were great. Please pass on my thanks to them all.”
- David Martin, Groom, Bristol, July 2006
The Funkty Dumpty Experience
Funkty Dumpty are a young, fresh-faced yet experienced band of highly talented musicians who have performed with artists as diverse as Pato Banton (singer of 'Baby Come Back') to Jon Anderton (Lead singer of 1970's band Yes). Lead vocalist Charlotte appeared on BBC televisions 'Star For A Night', winning praise from the judging panel whilst the band have been fortunate enough to work with musicians from Skunk Anansie, Feeder, Little Angels and Wishbone Ash, recording with those from The Wailers, The Rumble Strips, Ronan Keating, Darius and Chesney Hawkes.
Gigging extensively throughout England, Scotland and Wales, the musicians have also toured Abu Dhabi, Denmark, Czech Republic, Greece, Belgium, France, Germany, Holland and Italy and are currently organising performances in Croatia, Dubai and the French Alps, making them as comfortable in the air as on the road! Festival performances at Glastonbury, Ashton Court, Music In The Sun and Cork Jazz have firmed up the bands abilities to cope under pressure, in most part due to the regularly poor British weather!
The musicianship of Funkty Dumpty has assured their success, with Neil Davidge of Massive Attack being so impressed with Charlotte's voice he welcomed her into his studio to help lay down some new ideas. Steve has also recorded drums for new projects by David Ferguson (Chairman of British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, Composer of TV scores for ITV's Cracker & Diana - Story of A Princess and founding member of 1980's band Random Hold).
Playing gigs at venues as diverse as Watford Palace Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, The Bath Pavilion, The Colston Hall, Exeter Cathedral and many top London venues including The Borderline, The Garage, The Mean Fiddler and Jazz Cafe has meant the band are well versed at performing to sell out crowds on large stages. They no longer get star struck (well... maybe Charlotte does a little bit!) having been supported in the early days by Muse and having since supported well known names like Republica, Bad Manners and The Selector and even Cleopatra (Comin' Atcha!). Steve has also played in the backing band for Pato Banton of 'Baby Come Back' fame.
The band has also played on albums released nationally through high-street shops and has had works on sale in Japan, Denmark, France and the US. Many of these have been played on radio stations across the country and Rob (keys) has also supported one of his releases with a live performance at a Radio 1 Roadshow, played out to over 6 million listeners.
The band were fortunate enough to record their latest Promo CD at Olympic Studios, London, favoured by artists Take That, Scissor Sisters, Kylie, Kaiser chiefs and many more, ensuring the high quality production of their professional standard CD.
When you book Funkty Dumpty you not only get a group of young yet highly seasoned professionals but the guarantee of a high-energy performance that will blow your socks off! What more could you want?!
