Duane Smith
Band and Music Director, TRUMPET, Brooklyn Ny
biography
The Fuzz Band, whose sound is a fusion of Funk, Jazz & Soul, met and formed while attending Hampton University. The nine-piece band is comprised of 3 vocalists, drums, percussion, keys, guitar, horns and bass, and was originally created as the house band for Fuzzy Wednesday, Virginia’s longest running open mic. Locally, the band has won multiple awards including Best R&B artist, Best Live Performer, Best Album and Song of the Year. Nationally, The Fuzz Band has been featured in the Hollywood Issue of Black Enterprise Magazine and has received nods in Rolling Stone for their 3 USO Tours to the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and England and in Spin Magazine for their Chrysler Jeep Campaign. The band has also been reviewed and spotlighted on various online media outlets including OkPlayer, Afropunk and SoulTracks.
The multi-genre band known for its creativity, musicianship and high energy productions has performed with Grammy award winning artists such as Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill, Chicago, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu and Sheila E. They have performed private parties for former NBA star Allen Iverson, Hall of "Fame-r" Bruce Smith, and have played internationally for fashion mogul Tommy Hilfiger. The band also works in close coordination with NBA Referee Tony Brothers and Men for Hope; and with Kam Cares Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Seattle Seahawks’ Kam Chancellor to help build programs to impact under-served communities in Hampton Roads.
The Fuzz Band, who was the winner of the First Annual Capital Jazz Festival in DC, was also a featured performer at President Barack Obama’s inaugural ball in 2008. They went on to headline the 43rd Annual Hampton Jazz Festival with Frankie Beverly and Maze and was a featured headliner at the legendary Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City in 2014 and 2016. In 2018, the band won a coveted spot on the main stage of the 5th annual LOCKN’ Festival on the estate of legendary Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia, beating out other bands over 3 months and 3 rounds of roving ROCKN’ to LOCKN’ battles. The lineup included George Clinton & P-Funk, Sheryl Crow, Tedeschi Trucks Band and Dead & Co featuring Branford Marsalis, John Mayer and more.
The Fuzz Band is currently working on their 5th studio album and continues to perform virtually to inspire and uplift in anticipation of the return of live music and concert events.
