Hit Pick

Funk’s good name is sometimes tarnished by fusion bands who think all the genre requires is a fat bass line, a funny name and a “Brick House” cover. Buckner Funken Jazz, which appears Friday, March 29, at Herman’s Hideaway with the Funky Babylonians and the Fabulous Boogienaughts, rectifies this situation by fusing its original songs with essential old-school elements like air-tight percussion, a jazzy lead guitar and plenty of brass, courtesy of bandleader and trumpeter Rod Buckner. And, yes, there’s a big fat bass line in there, too. Joined by saxophonist (and former Tommy Dorsey Big Band member) Clark Gibson, Buckner Funken Jazz will blow, slap and groove its way through material from last year’s Late for School CD. Don’t be late.