Prime Time Funk is a 10-piece powerhouse of passionate musicians from Western NY who write, arrange, and perform a world-class combination of funk, jazz, and R&B that’s hard to categorize but easy to feel. In its 27 years, PTF has played multiple times at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Club in Paris as well as at the Rochester International Jazz and Rochester Fringe Festivals.  
PTF’s debut CD, Ready and Willing, was co-produced by Grammy® Award-winning producer Jeff Tyzik, RPO Principal Pops Conductor. Its self-produced follow-up CD, Hear and Now, is a tribute to the band’s co-founder and original bass player, Ralph Ortiz. PTF is the official house band of the Rochester Music Hall of Fame annual awards ceremonies at Eastman Theatre.

Jim Richmond

Tenor sax & vocals

As a child, Jim Richmond entertained the neighborhood kids by imitating Elvis on his front porch. After listening to his father's gospel group rehearse weekly in their living room and at the urging of his mother, he was inspired to take up the saxophone. While still in high school, he led his own band, The Echomen, and then went on to major in music at SUNY Fredonia. Sugar Hill signed his band, Mother Freedom, in the late 70s and released one album. Like his sax playing, Jim's serious vocal, songwriting, and arranging talents have kept him in demand over the years.

He's written songs with people like Kim Stone from the Rippingtons and former Spyro Gyra member Chet Catallo, performed on national commercials for such clients as Buick, was hired by Disney to be the singing voice of “Munch” at Chucky Cheese’s throughout the country, and shared the stage with world-renowned acts including Tower of Power and George Benson. He’s been hired by and performed with The Temptations and the Four Tops, former Foreigner lead vocalist Lou Gramm, and former Rascals guitarist Gene Cornish. Jim also wrote many of the songs, as well as horn and vocal arrangements, for PTF CDs Ready and Willing and Hear and Now. Music director for his church, he also music director for the Rochester Music Hall of Fame’s annual Induction Ceremony at Eastman Theater.

Dave Cohen

Drums, percussion, & Backing vocals

Dave Cohen began taking drum lessons at age 10. Inspired by drumming legends Buddy Rich and 'Philly' Joe Jones, he went on to study with famed jazz drummers Vinnie Ruggiero in Rochester, NY, and Ed Soph at the University of North Texas. In the 80s, Dave co-led a rock band called Backseat Sally that released a self-titled album on Atlantic Records, along with an MTV video. Other studio credits include albums by CMD, The Dinner Dogs, Glenn Medeiros, Anthony Watson, The Rockin' Rebels, Vic Cottengim,The Lawnmowers, as well as soundtracks for HBO, CBS, and TVKO. Dave has also performed with Gary Wright, Steve Stevens, Gap Mangione, Joe Locke, Pee Wee Ellis, Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, Christian McBride, Gene Cornish, Felix Cavaliere, Randy Bachman, Pat Travers, The Cowsills, Paul Shaffer, David Clayton-Thomas, The Mambo Kings, Bat McGrath, Barry Kiener, Sax' Gordon Beadle, Rodney Dangerfield, Russell Malone, Francine Reed and Sherman Robertson (at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Club in Paris, France), BillyBang, and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Dave also performs regularly with jazz trio CMD and the groups Blu and Soul Passenger and is a busy private drum instructor and drum technician.

orlando boxx

vocals

Orlando began singing before he could speak and started performing when he was just eight years old. His talent and love of music have always been evident, including in his most recent performances: the Hitmakers series, Ragtime (Ensemble) and Newsies (Elmer, Brooklyn Newsie) at the JCC CenterStage Theatre; and Jersey Boys (Barry Belson), West Side Story (Gary Coleman) and The Wizard of Oz (Scarecrow) at OFC Creations. Orlando completed his BA in Vocal Music with a Marketing minor at Roberts Wesleyan University, where he went on to earn his Master’s Degree in Education. Third-place regional winner in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition, he was a Teaching Artist at OFC Creations for three years, where he directed, musically directed, and choreographed musicals for students aged 7-18. Orlando is currently a proud fifth grade teacher. As for his new role as vocalist with Prime Time Funk, he’s grateful for the opportunity to focus on a different style of performing and is excited to make music with some incredible musicians.

joe chiappone

guitar

Joe Chiappone’s desire to play an instrument began at age five during a family jam session. He began guitar lessons when he was eight years old, and went on to study with jazz guitarists Dick Longale and Tom Rizzo (MaynardFerguson/Doc Severinsen). Joe also majored in Jazz Guitar at the University of Miami and studied Jazz Improvisation with Ray Ricker at the Eastman School of Music. Besides owning and operating Northfield Music Studios, a popular guitar store and music school in Pittsford, NY, Joe is in demand as a studio musician and side man. He’s also performed with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Broadway touring shows, and many well-regarded regional bands.

 

ron d'angelo

trumpet & flugelhorn

Ron D'Angelo was born in Philadelphia, raised in Pottsville, PA, and has been living in Rochester since 1988. He has recorded numerous radio/TV jingles and has played lead trumpet for Aretha Franklin, Johnny Mathis, The Four Tops,The Temptations, Gap and Chuck Mangione, The O'Jays, Bobby Vinton, Connie Francis, Martha & the Vandellas, Josh Groban, Joan Rivers, the Eastman Jazz Ensemble, and Royal Cruise Lines. He has also performed with Natalie Cole, The Woody Herman Orchestra, David Clayton Thomas, and Frank Sinatra, Jr., and played the jazz trumpet chair on the PBS special, An Evening with Michael Civisca. Ron holds degrees from the University of Rochester and Syracuse University, and attended Berklee College of Music.

gregg dougherty-herman

keyboards/piano

Gregg began playing in bands when he was just 10 years old – on a 1957 Wurlitzer electric piano. His interest in jazz began after seeing pianist Monty Alexander perform around the same time. He was fortunate to study with the late, great Rochester jazz pianist Barry Kiener while in high school, when he also put together several jazz fusion groups with Rochester’s Grammy-nominated saxophonist Scott Mayo. Gregg continued to form jazz fusion groups during his Albany, NY college years in addition to being part of rock band SquareOne and backing R&B vocalist Lisa Robilotto.  Back in Rochester, he was a member of several bands: Me & the Boyz, Al Chez & The Brothers of Funk, Eclipse (plus other groups led by Terrance Bruce of Cabo Frio fame), Jive Street Five, and various bands led by saxophonist Bill Tiberio. In addition to Prime Time Funk, Gregg is currently a member of Steely Dan tribute band, Bad Sneakers, as well as jam band, Novasonic.   He also leads his own trios and quartets.

mike edwards

Tenor, Soprano, & Baritone sax, flute, EWI (Electric Wind Instrument) & violin

Michael Edwards has been playing and teaching music in Upstate New York since he graduated from the Crane School of Music in 1990, where he was the winner of the 1998 Concerto Competition. He has shared the stage with numerous big bands, jazz groups and party bands, and has appeared with artists such as crooner Vic Damone and Wessel Anderson, saxophonist with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Michael currently teaches out of his private studio in Brighton, NY, and has students of all ages and levels on saxophone, flute, penny-whistle, clarinet, violin, guitar, and piano.

Rhonda Federation

vocals

Rhonda is a dynamic vocalist, dancer, and musical theatre performer who has trained in voice and dance since the age of three. With more than 30 years of experience performing with local bands, her extensive career has taken her to venues around the world (including appearances in Japan), performances for the U.S. Air Force, and three Super Bowl events. She has had the honor of opening for legendary artists including the Doobie Brothers, Gladys Knight, The Temptations, and Natalie Cole, delivering high-energy, versatile performances that connect with audiences. Beyond the stage, Rhonda is passionate about arts education. She serves as a choreographer for area middle and high schools and teaches young performers at ROCStar Academy, where she helps develop confidence, stage presence, and professional performance skills.

derrick lipp

trumpet & flugelhorn

Derrick Lipp has been a member of PTF since shortly after the release of the band’s debut CD, Ready and Willing. Derrick has performed with Nick Brignola, Joan Osborne, George Caldwell, The O’Jays, Alfred “Pee Wee” Ellis, The Temptations, Paul Schaffer, Kathy Sledge, David Clayton-Thomas, and The Four Tops. He has shared the stage with acts including Mark Anthony, Tito Puente, The Airmen of Note, Woody Herman's Thundering Herd, Jiggs Wigham, and Bruce Hornsby. His playing can be heard on radio and TV spots for Chevrolet and The United Way as well as on numerous CD recording projects. Derrick continues to compose music and arrange charts for a variety of horn sections, some of which are featured on PTF’s second CD, Hear and Now.