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January 8, 2022

Between 1975 and 1977, San Francisco based band, PURE FUNK recorded nine songs, three of which have been released prior to the debut of "Free and Happy", which is one of the two ballads the band wrote. The three prior releases are: "Nothing Left is Real", originally released on Planet Earth Records in 1976 and re-released on Alexis Records in 2013 "Searchin", also originally released on Planet Earth Records in 1976, and "Getaway" released on Alexis Records in 2013. 

As of this writing, PURE FUNK tunes have been streamed over 60,000 times in all continents on except Antarctica! And although the release of "Free and Happy" showcases a softer, more thoughtful and sensitive side of PURE FUNK, the tune is a brilliant "big horn" arrangement typical of the band's up tempo dance tunes that exemplifies the high level of musical talent personified by this obscure, 1970's era R&B band. Click the below link for more information: 

March 1, 2021

The long awaited release of Eje's first single is now available on most of the popular music download sites. Singer, songwriter, bassist, drummer, producer and recording engineer Eje', has been successfully earning a living in the music business since he was 13 years old growing up in San Francisco where he played trumpet in his first band, The Constellations. His debut release, the up-tempo, 'smooth jazzy' R&B love song, "I'm Here" from the album of the same name, was originally recorded in late 20th century but not released until 2021. As is evident by the quality of the musicianship, all musicians that contributed to this album were on their way to being recognized as world class talent. And in fact several are now well known and highly sought after studio and touring musicians including Will Kennedy on drums (Yellow Jackets), keyboardist Frank Martin (Stevie Wonder, Sting, Herbie Hancock) and alto saxophonist Marc Russo (Doobie Brothers, Yellow Jackets).

The tunes found on the debut album from Santa Barbara based Eje' shows how deeply he has studied the work of forebears like Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield and Bill Withers. "I'm Here" marks a major entry into the current global 'original soul' trend and captures the spirit perfectly.

May 21, 2020 - San Jose, CA

The San Jose Summer Jazz Festival during which the Jazz Education Ensemble had been scheduled to perform, has been officially canceled due to precautions related to the Coronavirus pandemic.

However, the Jazz Education Ensemble has been invited to perform at the San Jose Winter Jazz Festival in January, 2021, as well as the Summer 2021 Festival. More details to follow as information becomes available.

April 15, 2020 - Oakland, CA

Due to emergency precautions resulting from Coronavirus issues, all San Francisco bay area schools (as well as schools, offices , stores, etc. throughout the USA) will be closed until further notice. As a result we will no be able to teach classes in schools for the remainder of this semester.  However, private, one on one  jazz class instruction will be available beginning May 1st via Zoom.US. For details please contact Bob Jacobs - BJacobs@AlexisEntertainmentGroup.com

January 31, 2020 - San Jose, CA

The Jazz Education Ensemble has been invited to perform on the Next Gen stage at the San Jose Jazz Festival on August 9th from 12:00 - 12:45 p.m. This performance will include the full group of world class jazz musicians plus selected students who have taken our Beginning Jazz Classes over the past five years. Students who participated in our first year of classes in 2015 will be entering high school this year and many of those same students are now performing in their middle school jazz bands. As a result, our San Jose Jazz Festival debut is expected to be a fantastic reunion of students and teachers, featuring great jazz music performed by multiple generations of jazz musicians. We hope to see you there.

December 18, 2019 - Oakland, CA

The Beginning Jazz Class at Thornhill Elementary School in Oakland, CA, will perform it's Winter Concert on December 18th in the school multi-purpose room. For more information please contact us.

December 2, 2019  - Oakland, CA

Students taking the Beginning Jazz Class at Kaiser Elementary School in Oakland, CA. performed their debut concert today. The class played their arrangements of Miles Davis' "So What" and "Slow Hot Wind" written by Henry Mancini. Classes are held on Fridays after school from 3:00 to 4:00. Concert video footage will be available soon.

"When Linda first mentioned the idea of teaching a jazz class for elementary school students to me after seeing one of the Jazz Education Ensemble performances at a local school, I was a bit skeptical as to how well elementary school kids could catch on to the nuances and techniques required to learn and perform jazz well," said Jacobs when asked about the original idea. "But she talked me into trying out a joint effort with the two of us teaching the class and I have to say that these kids have really done a fantastic job learning to play jazz. They're so very excited! It's a real joy to experience their unwavering enthusiasm and progress."

Jacobs and Green plan to expand the program if enough revenue can be raised to support the idea and offer it in other schools in the Alameda County school district and perhaps in other school districts as well if sufficient funds can be raised to support the plan.

California Playboys Sole Album Re-released -

March 22, 2017 Oakland, CA 

 In the early 1970s, Alexis Entertainment Group artists, The California Playboys was the studio recording band for various artists on a series of singles for Loadstone Records before recording their sole album, "Trying To Become A Millionaire", under their own name.

The instrumental precision of Trying To Become A Millionaire is immediately evident; clearly the product of a group of seasoned session musicians. Incorporating Latin music elements, pre-disco rhythms, bouncy funk bass lines and seamlessly clean guitar, the album calls to mind the music of Donald Byrd, Roy Ayers and Bobbi Humphrey. Depending on the track, the vocal delivery is at times reminiscent of Bobby Womack, Donny Hathaway or even Marvin Gaye, but all provide a complimentary gravity and substance to the flawless instrumentals.

The album was never repressed or reissued since its initial run on the San Francisco-based Loadstone label in 1976. As a result, it has become incredibly sought-after in the ensuing years. Original vinyl copies, when they even appear, have been known to sell for $1,000 or more among collectors. For the first time in nearly 40 years, Manufactured Recordings is proud to present this highly coveted soul treasure on LP, CD and downloads to a new audience of fans.

January 17, 2017 Oakland, CA 

Thornhill Elementary School Beginning Jazz Class Concert

The Thornhill Elementary School beginning jazz class will perform it's first public concert next Wednesday, January 25th in the school auditorium. The class, begun in September of 2016 and taught by Jazz Education Ensemble member, Robert Jacobs and Oakland Symphony violinist and music educator, Linda Green, is believed to be the first of its kind for 10 year olds in the Oakland school system and has been a huge success from many perspectives.

December 24, 2016 San Francisco - PURE FUNK Reaches 10,000 Streams
PURE FUNK, the 1970's era San Francisco based band now popular in Europe, Asia and South America has been streamed for over 10,000 times in various countries including Germany, France, Italy, Russia, Japan, the UK, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, Peru and of course the USA, Canada and Mexico.

"It's amazing!", said band member John Kainlauri who played trumpet with the band. "I never would have thought that 40 years after recording, "Nothing Left Is Real" and getting no airplay back then, that now fans all over the world are finally enjoying our music."

"Nothing Left Is Real" can be streamed and downloaded on most of the popular music services including iTunes, Amazon, Deezer, Juno, Emusic and Spotify. The 45 rpm vinyl record is distributed in the USA through Traffic Entertainment and in Europe & Asia by Kudos Record Distribution in the UK.