THE MINNEAPOLIS FUNK ALL STARS

The Minneapolis Funk All Stars are musicians and singers who helped create the "Mpls Sound." They've either toured with or recorded on the records that shaped the sound of the town.

St Paul Bio

St. Paul Peterson, a teenage wunderkind who performed keys with The Time in Purple Rain before signing to Prince’s Paisley Park label as lead singer of The Family (‘Nothing Compares 2 U’), is acknowledged as one of the best musicians to emerge from the Twin Cities.

As the leader of fDeluxe (formerly The Family) St. Paul has been the driving force behind the 2 critically acclaimed comeback albums that have seen the group perform sold out shows in England, France, Holland, Belgium, Australia and Japan, as well as their native USA. Their performance at Carnegie Hall alongside D’Angelo, Chris Rock, Elvis Costello and others received rave reviews from the press, including The Village Voice who exclaimed “...a dominant appearance by fDeluxe, the Prince-curated band which saw the light of day as The Family in the mid-80s before being resurrected by frontman Paul Peterson (who goes by the moniker St. Paul) in 2009, whose high- energy funk set -- comprised of Family song “High Fashion” into Prince live favorite “Mutiny” -- was otherwise a master class in bass-driven grooves.” 

In the tradition of Motown’s Funk Brothers, St. Paul & The Minneapolis Funk Allstars shines the spotlight on those who wrote, produced, performed or sung on some of the biggest hits from the era. From ‘Funkytown’ to ‘fDeluxe’ these players are the architects of The Minneapolis Sound.

An electro funk-rock sound that brought together people of all colours its influence continues to ripple throughout pop music to this day with artists such as Questlove and The Roots, D’Angelo, Miguel, Dam Funk, Kimbra and many more proclaiming their love for The Minneapolis Sound.

Jellybean Johnson - Guitar - The Time/The Family/Jam and Lewis Producer

As a founding member of The Time, drummer and percussionist Jellybean Johnson also works as a producer, musician, and songwriter. He became a long-time associate of Flyte Tyme productions. His first session job was being a musician for Alexander O'Neal's #11 R&B hit "Innocent" (produced by The Time bandmates Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis). On this track, he was not only the drummer, but also delivered the guitar solos for the second half of the ten-minute long song. From this point on, he was in-demand as a session guitarist for Janet Jackson, Alexander O'Neal, New Edition, and many others. Throughout his career, he has also produced a number of hits for Alexander O'Neal, New Edition and many others. But it wasn't until 1990 when he would co-produce (with Janet Jackson) his biggest hit to date: Janet Jackson's Heavy Metal/Rock inspired #1 smash hit "Black Cat". He has also co-produced Mint Condition's entire debut album Meant to Be Mint.

Ricky Peterson - Keys/Vocals - Producer for Paisley Park Records/Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac

A life long Minnesotan whose sound has always focused on a characteristically “Minneapolis” sound, Ricky Peterson is best known for his now 20 year association with saxophone legend David Sanborn and for having, produced, written and played keyboards for Prince on and off since his early days on the Twin Cities scene (perhaps most notably producing and arranging the song “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World”). 

Playing on David Sanborn records since the mid 80’s, he ensembled with and produced Sanborn on “Songs from the Night Before” and Prince on “Gold”, “Emancipation”, “Crystal Ball”. Peterson also played a big part in writing and producing George Benson’s “That’s Right” CD. He is currently on tour with rock icon Stevie Nicks.

Mike Scott - Guitar - Prince and the NPG

Best known for his work with Prince and Justin Timberlake Mike got his break after moving to Minneapolis and working within the city’s thriving funk scene.  In the past 20 years, he’s graced the studio and/or stages alongside the likes of Michael Jackson, Rhianna, Beyonce, Janet Jackson, Mary J Blige, Mariah Carey, Chaka Khan, Patti Labelle, Luther Vandross, new edition and many many more.  

Chance Howard - Keyboards/Bass/Vocals - Prince and the NPG/Candy Dulpher

From Chance's website:  

"In my travels I've been very blessed to be a member of MORRIS DAY and THE TIME, and PRINCE and the NPG. Both at the same time. a gift that has never been given to another musician in that circle.  

In 2005 I was asked by my dear friend, saxophonist, CANDY DULFER, who I met on tour with PRINCE in 2004 on the MMUSICOLOGY TOUR, to be a guest on her tour of Europe. We became very close and I have been a member of her band for ever since."

Joey Finger - Drums

A native Minnesotan Joey has worked with countless different bands and artists both live and in the studio having the privilege of recording for, among others: Ricky Peterson, Boz Scaggs, David Sanborn, Jonny Lang, Kenny G, Joe Sample (The Crusaders) and of course Prince (Batman).

Jason Peterson DeLaire - Sax/Keys/Vocals - Carmen Electra/Solo/Michael Bolton

Jason is a member of the well-known musical “Peterson Family” of Minneapolis, MN. He is an “in demand” Saxophonist and Keyboardist, as well as being a talented singer, songwriter and producer. He helped pen fDeluxe's songs (aka The Family) for their comeback record.

Jason has toured nationally and internationally with renowned artists such as The Family/fDeluxe, Donny Osmond, Michael Bolton, Prince, Alexander O’Neal, Richard Marx, Solo, and Oleta Adams. Jason has also done studio work with Michael Bolton, Prince, Donny Osmond, as well as Bobby Brown, Oleta Adams and Flyte Time Productions

Oliver Leiber - Guitar/Producer - Tamara and the Scene/Paula Abdul

Part the of the fabric of pop music coming out of the Mpls in the 80's, Oliver is a world class guitarist, drummer, songwriter and producer. He is responsible for all of Paula Abdul's early hits, recorded at various Mpls studios, utilizing Mpls musicians.  Paula's record sold over 20 million copies. He also played with "Tamara and the Scene," a Jesse Johnson produced project.

Michael Bland - Drums -Prince and the NPG/Soul Asylum

Michael is best known as a drummer for Prince starting in 1989. He was with Prince during The New Power Generation era and played with him live and on albums for seven years. 

In 2010, Bland became a member of Nick Jonas and the Administration (a side project of Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers) , and is currently is a member of  Soul Asylum.

Kat Dyson - Guitar/Vocals -Prince/Sheila E/Cindy Lauper

Southern-born guitarist/vocalist Kat Dyson relocated to Los Angeles from Montreal via Minneapolis where she was a featured guitarist & vocalist with Prince as a member of the New Power Generation. Her contributions to this musical alliance can be heard on the following recordings: Emancipation, The Truth and Newpowersoul.  

Along the way,she has performed with renowned artists including Cyndi Lauper,Natalie Cole,Ivan Neville,Donny Osmond,rap artist T.I.,Seal,Sheila E and C.O.E.D.,Joi,George Clinton and the P-Funk AllStars, MusiqueSoulchild,Phoebe Snow,Res,The Winans,Mary Mary,Yolanda Adams,Big Mamma Thornton, Ben E. King,Bo Diddley, Odetta,Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir,Celine Dion, Roch Voisine and many others.