Combining free jazz spontaneity with the urgency of funk and rock, NY-based German saxophonist and bass clarinetist Welf Dorr (Funk Monk) presents his Unit with drummer Joe Hertenstein, bassist Dmitry Ishenko and guitarist Dave Ross, in an energetic album of tunes that combine determination and passion with upbeat grooves balanced by beautiful ballad work.
"The Welf Dorr Unit combines free jazz spontaneity with the urgency of funk and rock inspired by the the motto "Jazz is the Teacher, Funk is the Preacher".
WDU was formed in 2012 for a performance at the Evolving Music Series run by Arts for Art (presenters of the Vision Festival) and since has played at clubs like nublu, Quinn's (Beacon) and the Red Hook Jazz Festival.
Welf's other main project is Underground Horns, a 6-piece brass band which special recipe includes some funk, jazz and hip hop spiced up with African and other world rhythms...MUSIC FOR THE PEOPLE!
UH performed internationally in Egypt, Germany and Brazil, stateside at the Lowdown Hudson Blues Festival, NYC Winter Jazz Festival, Dizzy's (Jazz at Lincoln Center), the Blue Note and various Jam Band Festivals, sharing the bill with Rebirth Brass Band, Big Sam's Funky Nation and B.B. King. (more info undergroundhorns.com )
Besides leading his own projects Welf is playing in Karl Berger's Improvisers Orchestra, Kenny Wollesen's Himalayas, On Ka'a Davis and the Famous Original Djuke Players and in the Nublu Orchestra formerly conducted by the late Butch Morris ("You guys sound good", David Murray).
Originally from Munich (Germany) he studied at Berklee (cum laude) in Boston before he moved 1995 to New York. Here he played and recorded a.o. with Frank Lacy, Sonny Simmons, Sabir Mateen, Kim Clark, Ronnie Drayton, Graham Haynes, Meshell Ndegeocello, Jeffrey Shurdut, Daniel Carter, Steve Swell, Lukas Ligeti, Vernon Reid, Juini Booth, Jojo Kuo and the Goldsparkle Brass Band.
In 2005 he recorded a concert with a quintet including Kenny Wollesen on drums and Jonathan Finlayson on trumpet released on FLOWERS FOR ALBERT.
1996 he founded Funk Monk with members from the US, Europe and Africa, a band that combined the hypnotic groove of hip hop with the complex harmonies of jazz. 1998 Funk Monk recorded their debut CD "Live at the Knitting Factory".
Welf performed in the US, Europe, Mexico, Brazil and Egypt including festivals such as Willisau (Switzerland), Vision Festival or Celebrate Brooklyn as well as places as City Hall of New York."-Well Dorr Unity