Dazz Band

Cleveland based funk group, formed by Bobby Harris in the late '70s. Harris merged two Cleveland funk bands: Bell Telefunk and Mother Braintree. After an indefinite number of lineup changes, the end result was a band featuring Harris, Skip Martin III, Pierre DeMudd on horns and vocals, guitarist Eric Fearman, the late bassist Michael Wiley, drummer Isaac Wiley, keyboardist Kevin Frederick, and percussionist Kenny Pettus. The band, signed to [l=20th Century Fox Records], was originally called Kinsman Dazz; "Dazz" derivating from the concept of "danceable jazz". "Kinsman Dazz" became the Dazz Band in 1980 and signed to [l=Motown]. The band was also known for its live performances. In 1985, Fearman left the group and was replaced by Marlon McClain and Keith Harrison. After leaving Motown, they recorded a number of individual albums on various labels such as [l=Geffen Records], [l=RCA], [l=Lucky Records (3)], [l=Platinum Entertainment], [l=Major Hits Records], and their first official live album on [l=Intersound]. [b]1990s revival[/b] The popularity of classic funk/R&B/soul acts performing in the US and abroad started to expand in the mid-1990s on events like the awarded Sinbad's Summer Jam: '70s Soul Music Festival. Bobby Harris decided to form a tribute band with members from the [a=The Bar-Kays], [a=Con Funk Shun], [a=Gap Band] and the [a=SOS Band], called the United We Funk All-Stars. A studio album followed, including a tribute to the late [a=Roger Troutman], who performs on the album as well. Other artists from the genre who contributed to the album were the late [a=Rick James] and [a=System]. The concept was a great success, and was captured on a live CD, presented and promoted by radio jockey [a=Tom Joyner], who made the announcements on the UWF-All Stars shows.