Funk Soul Orchestral: James Brown vs Prince at The Apex later this month

Led by the vocal and stage performance of Ashton Jones, from Ipswich, and featuring orchestral arrangements of multi-instrumentalist and musical director and fellow Suffolk lad Harry Greene, Funk Soul Orchestral (pictured above) is a celebration of the greatest funk and soul songs ever written and it is set to take to the stage of The Apex later this month.

Their show, “James Brown vs Prince” celebrates the legacies of two iconic artists who have left an indelible mark on the world of funk and soul.

This one-of-a-kind live show includes the impossible-to-sit-down funk anthems of “Sex Machine”, “Kiss”, “Get Up Offa That Thing” and “I Wanna Be Your Lover”, along with timeless soulful ballads like “Purple Rain” and “Man’s World”.

Ashton had the idea for Funk Soul Orchestral: James Brown vs Prince in 2022 and he approached long-time friend and collaborator Harry Greene to co-found the project as arranger.

The show debut was a resounding success, opening to a double sell-out audience at Ronnie Scotts in October 2022 and receiving a 5-star review from Close-Up Culture Magazine.

Known for his audience captivating brand of energy, musicianship and flair, Ashton has been championed by BBC Radio 2, Craig Charles, and BBC 6 Music, and fronted multiple sold-out shows at Ronnie Scott’s with his original funk outfit: The Ashton Jones Project.

He has performed with the BBC Concert Orchestra, appeared at The London Palladium, The Jazz Cafe, and fronted Amazon’s global ad campaign singing Freddie Scott’s classic “You Got What I Need.”

Meanwhile, Greene played at the Bury Festival a few years ago with the Harry Greene Trio and several gigs with Chris Ingham and Co at the Hunter Club. He has firmly cemented himself as a top musical director, arranger and composer.

Recent performance highlights include being asked to perform at the Royal Albert Hall for the “Ronnie Scott’s at 60” Gala and sharing the stage with New Power Generation member and Prince side-woman Marva King for her UK tour.

An increasingly in-demand composer and arranger, his music has also been used on a host of prime time TV shows and he recently contributed to the soundtrack of new Disney production “Behind the Attraction”, hosted by Hollywood star Dwayne Johnson.

Funk Soul Orchestral: James Brown vs Prince is at The Apex in Bury St Edmunds on Sunday, February 25, at 7.30pm. See www.theapex.co.uk or ring 01284 758000 for more information or to book tickets.