Deep Funk In the Forest Upcoming Events

Keb Darge is a Scottish DJ of the genres of Northern Soul and Deep Funk music, and is possibly the best-known DJ of such genres.

He began his career in local disco dance competitions (dancing in the "northern soul style") in the North of Scotland, and made an appearance in the nationally televised 1979 UK disco dance finals. He was also a dancer for the Wigan Casino, whilst collecting Northern Soul records. Soon after, he was DJing in Wigan at a club next to the casino, and around Scotland as well with his record collection throughout the 1970s.

At the age of 22, Darge moved to London, and attempted to live a regular life, having put his DJing days behind him. But music promoters from then approached him again, asking him to come back to DJing. He obliged, and gave the Northern Soul phenomenon exposure in London through his performances, bringing in people from northern England to move to London who were previously associated with Wigan's Northern Soul scene before it dissolved.

After a while, Keb sold off most of his northern soul records due to a divorce in 1987, and handed the torch of his Northern Soul DJing to Mark Dobson (aka "Butch"). But he had left over in his loft many other records of what he then referred to as "junk music" that he picked up in the United States on his many jaunts to find northern soul records there and in the UK. This "junk music" would be the beginning of what Keb would later call "Deep Funk", having underestimated the potential of these leftover records.

In 1989, during the heyday of acid house in the UK, Keb decided to play these funk records, and managed for a short while to get a night to perform regularly at "The Wagclub", a club specializing in acid jazz. After his night there ended around 1992-93, he met fellow funk record collector Mark Cotgrove, aka Snowboy, at Club Ormones in London where the first funk-only night in the city was held, called "Deep Funk". The night was named by Keb (he would later go on to use the name to describe the sound of the funk records he would play), but arranged by the club owners.

After this, Keb and Snowboy wanted to further expand on the "deep funk" sound, and decided to start their own all-funk night in on old restaurant, but this failed to catch on after a few months due to the burgeoning popularity of house music in the UK at the time, forcing Keb and Snowboy to close up shop there.

But shortly afterward, they heard about a venue called Madame Jo-Jo's, a strip club located in the Soho district of London. They managed to arrange with the club a night for them to perform weekly. The club accommodated them, and Keb & Snowboy's funk nights there became an instant success (and still are the leading club nights for funk in London today). Madame Jo-Jo's closed down their strip nights, becoming a full-time music club, partly due to Keb's success there.

Today, Keb still holds a funk night at the club every Friday, called "Legendary Deep Funk". He also tours around the world DJing, and also runs a record label, Kay-Dee, with fellow funk aficionado & producer Kenny Dope.

He has released several albums of compiled classic deep funk tracks, most notably the Funk Spectrum and Keb Darge's Deep Funk compilations released on BBE Records. Keb Darge is a leading authority on deep funk & soul music of the 60s and 70s, and has achieved practically legendary status among his peers.

Besides DJing and helping to produce the modern-day funk group The New Mastersounds, Keb is also quite experienced in martial arts, having been a former Tae Kwon Do champion.

Deep Funk in the Forest Special Guests
14th of April 2007 Keb Darge
19th of April 2008 Russ Dewbury
From his debut in 1986 Russ Dewbury has become one of the most influential and, highly respected figures on the international dance music scene. Brighton based Dewbury is one of the top DJs on the circuit and has developed a substantial reputation as live music promoter, record compiler,broadcaster, composer/ producer and all - round musicologist.

One of the original UK jazz DJs, Russ opened the Brighton Jazz Rooms in 1987. Stronger than ever in 2006, the Jazz Rooms has become one of the most successful sessions in club history. a legendary affair that all should attend (Straight No Chaser Magazine). From this base Russ has performed at all of the top clubs worldwide and enjoys a hectic touring schedule.

As an acknowledged champion of live music Russ Dewbury is best known as promoter of the renowned "Brighton Jazz Bop", an essential date in the live music calender. Established in 1988 the Jazz Bop features exclusive live appearances from a whos who of artists. Combining international cult musicians together with the scenes best new acts,these shows regularly attract audiences of up to 2000.

The sessions have featured Art Blakey/Jazz Messengers ,Pharoah Sanders,Spearhead, Terry Callier, Jon Lucien, Jamiroquai, The Roots, Herbaliser, Marlena Shaw and many others. Other Jazz Bop projects have taken the show to London, Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, Berlin, Zurich and other European cities.

Dewbury launched the Jazz Bop concept in Australia in 2004 with a Nationwide Tour featuring the Quantic Soul Orchestra and Alice Russell which recieved rave reviews and a 3 page article in International music magazine Straight No Chaser. A second tour featuring the Quantic Soul Orchestra, Alice Russell, The Bamboos and DJ Mad Mats played to full houses accross Australia in November 2005. A third tour featuring US based Breakestra is set for November 2006

Russ has played a key role in the independent record industry. Originally signed to BGP Records as A+R chief he was instrumental in the rediscovery of artists including Jean Jacques Perrey and Terry Callier who he subsequently managed for a period. He has since developed a reputation for quality compilation releases spanning the dance arena. These include the hugely successful "Africa Funk" and "Club Africa" series for Strut Records and the "Freedom Time" and "Jazz Bizniz" projects for Counterpoint Records.

2007 has been an exciting year for Russ, realising a life long ambition with the release of his first ever album of original compositions. Together with Producer Ben Mitchell the pair have created a contempary classic blending cutting edge studio techniques with live performace to create an intriguing mixture of Cosmic Soul, Jazz Disco and Universal Blues.

Mitchell and Dewbury Band's first LP "Beyond the Rains" on Mr Bongo Records released in April 2007 has recieved much critical acclaim and airplay all over the world �- work begins soon on the follow up.The pair have also remixed Terry Callier,Roy Budd and Hipnosis.

In his role as a Broadcaster Russ has created the critically acclaimed "Nu Jazz Spectrum" radio concept which enjoys a cult international audience and can currently be found on Brightons Juice 107.2 and on the Internet through www.totallyradio.com He also features on various National stations including BBC Radio 1,Jazz Fm,and BBC London Live.