Rufus

RUFUS was a 1970s funk band, best known for launching the career of their lead singer Chaka Khan. They had several hits throughout their career, including "Tell Me Something Good" (penned by Stevie Wonder), "Ain't Nobody", and "Sweet Thing".
One of the most commercially successful funk groups of the '70s, the multi-racial Rufus are today best remembered for launching the careers of Tony Maiden, Bobby Watson, Andre Fischer, Dennis Belfield and soul diva Chaka Khan, whose lead vocals were easily the band's fiery focal point. Powered by Khan — who was eventually billed in addition to the group — and an unerring sense of groove, Rufus scored an impressive string of hit singles on both the pop and R&B charts, which lasted through the '70s and up to Khan's official departure in 1983.
Rufus grew out of the Chicago band The American Breed, which had a hit in 1968 with the oldies-radio staple "Bend Me, Shape Me." Guitarists Al Ciner, Gary Luizo, bassist Chuck Colbert, drummer Lee Graziano, and keyboardist Kevin Murphy had all played in the band at one time or another before forming a new group, originally called Smoke, with vocalists Paulette McWilliams and James Stella. Stella was quickly replaced by lead vocalist/songwriter/keyboardist Ron Stockert, and Colbert by bassist Dennis Belfield; the group changed its name to Ask Rufus, which was later shortened to Rufus. In 1972, drummer Andre Fischer —nephew of Composer, pianist Clare Fischer, Fischer formerly played with Jerry Butler, Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions, Baby Huey and the Babysitters, James Moody and Tennyson Stephens — replaced Graziano, and a young female vocalist named Chaka Khan (born Yvette Marie Stevens) replaced McWilliams. Although Khan's dynamic stage presence helped this version of the band take off, Stockert was still the guiding force when they signed with ABC in 1973, and he lent a more pop/rock flavor to the group's self-titled debut, released later that year.
Although the album sold poorly, Rufus gained a fan in Stevie Wonder thanks to their cover of his "Maybe Your Baby." Wonder gave them a new composition, the slowly grinding "Tell Me Something Good," that he'd written specifically with Khan's vocal style in mind. Pulled as a single from their second album, 1974's Rags to Rufus, "Tell Me Something Good" was a Top Five smash that turned Rufus and Khan into stars; Chaka co-wrote with Ray Parker Jr. the R&B chart-topping follow-up, "You Got the Love". Clearly, the band had found its niche, and a number of personnel shifts ensued: Stockert, Belfield and Ciner left the band and were replaced by Bobby Watson on bass, Tony Maiden on Guitar and Nate Morgan on Piano. Their funk sensibility thus bolstered, Rufus returned with a strong new album before year's end, Rufusized, which spawned two more hits in "Once You Get Started" and "Please Pardon Me (You Remind Me of a Friend)." The billing on 1975's Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan made the singer's star power official, and produced one of the group's biggest self produced hits in the R&B number one "Sweet Thing." Dave "Hawk" Wolinski joined as a second keyboardist from the group Medura for 1977's mellower Ask Rufus Album (the hit was "At Midnight (My Love Will Lift You Up and Dennis Belfield's Everlasting Love)"), and William "Moon" Calhoun formerly of the Gap Band and writer of "Stay," replaced drummer Fischer on 1978's Street Player. Fischer persued and attained success as a grammy Award winning Producer and stints as Sr. Vice president A&R MCA Records Urban Music Department, Vice President Jazz A&R for Quincy Jones Quest Records and Vice President Writer Development for 20th Century Fox Records.
Following the release of Street Player, Khan made what was perhaps an inevitable move into great solo recording with the release of her debut, Chaka; despite scoring a significant hit with "I'm Every Woman," she remained an official member of Rufus. The band's next album, Numbers, was recorded without Chaka, and upon its release in 1979, it saw limited success. Khan was back on board later that year for Masterjam, produced by Quincy Jones, and the band (featuring new drummer John "J.R." Robinson) was back on top of the R&B charts with "Do You Love What You Feel". However, Khan was absent for 1980's Party 'Til You're Broke, and although she returned for 1981's Camouflage, Rufus' chart fortunes were lessoning. Khan returned for 1983's Stompin' at the Savoy, a double-record set featuring three sides of live material and one side of new studio recordings. One of those new songs, Hawk Wolinski's "Ain't Nobody," became Rufus' final number one R&B hit, and also won a Grammy, allowing the group to end its career on a high note. Her contract up, Khan finally left and became a superstar thanks to a cover of Prince's "I Feel for You,"and David Foster's "Through The Fire". Tony Maiden and Chaka reunited on the medley "Packed my Bags/You got the love" on Chaka's 2007 album, Funk This.
BOBBY WATSON-Bass
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, has earned a reputation over the past decade as one of the finest bass players in todays music landscape.A member of the original and legendary RUFUS, Bobby helped create that unmistakable and distinguished sound which was witness to a time when Bands were creating the Sound - not necessarily the producers or the industry!! His unique style of playing (and composing), developed while working as a top session musician for Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, Russ Titelman and other such icons, Bobby is the solid rock in every formation, unmistakably imprinting a rooted foundation onto the bandstand or the studio. One of the most naturally MUSICAL sounding bassists I've worked with in the past, Bobby recently joined BRENDA RUSSELL's band for several key events across the globe, supporting her brand new release: "PARIS RAIN". Jimmy Jam of Jam & Lewis puts it this way: "When Bobby Watson sat in on the bass, he really raised everyone else's playing. Actually, he tore the s... up, he really anchored the band......" Below I've listed some of Bobby's credentials, however, this is just about 20% of what I know has been documented about him, (especially about his 8 year JAPAN experience) IT's JUST TOO EXTENSIVE!!!
http://profile.myspace.com
JOHN ROBINSON-Drums
JR has become the most recorded drummer in history, even surpassing the great Hal Blaine. Some of the hits are: We Are The World, Lionel Richie's All Night Long, The Pointer Sisters' I'm So Excited and Slow Hand, David Lee Roth's I'm Just A Gigolo and California Girls, Steve Winwood's Higher Love and Back In The Highlife, Madonna's Express Yourself; Michael Jackson's Off The Wall, Bad and his upcoming CD, Natalie Cole's new CD Stardust, Eric Clapton's Change The World, Quincy Jones' The Dude, Q's Jook Joint and From Q With Love, to name a few. And in 1983, JR won a Grammy with Rufus and Chaka Khan for Ain't Nobody.
http://www.johnjrrobinson.com
LARRY DUNN-Keys
Larry was keyboardist, musical director and one of the founding members of the music group Earth, Wind, & Fire. Dunn, along with the other members of Earth, Wind & Fire were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. Dunn's second solo album will also soon be released, and this will be preceded by a single called "Finally", with the collaboration of Beloyd Taylor and James Ingram.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Dunn
MICHAEL THOMPSON-Guitars
In 2001, Michael received a call from producer Mutt Lange to work on his wife, Shania Twain’s, new album “Up!”. Michael had long admired Mutt as one of his favorite producers and it was a huge thrill to be asked to contribute to that project. Also in 2001, Michael received the “Distinguished Alumni” award from The Berklee College of Music commemorating his contributions to the music industry. That year, Berklee Today, the schools magazine, featured a cover story on Michael entitled Platinum Touch. Michael has been working on his album MT Speaks for four years and in October 2005 will release the long-awaited follow-up to The World According to M.T. The all-instrumental album features artists such as Stanley Clarke, Vinny Coliauta, Nathan East, and newcomers Nathanial Morton (drums) and Sean Halley (bass).
http://michaelthompson.cc/
NIKI HARIS-Vocals
Niki Haris, daughter of Grammy nominated jazz pianist Gene Harris, grew up in Middle America, Benton Harbor, Michigan. Although her career has focused on singing and dancing, choreography and acting are also a part of her immense career.
This talented artist leaves no stone unturned, and with 18 years of recording & touring with Madonna, Niki was once again called on the road for her Drowned World Tour 2002 as well as being featured in her Grammy nominated music video Music. All this while promoting her own tour and smash single, Dancefloor remixed by DJ/Producer Junior Vasquez. After completing 2 tours back to back Niki quickly went into the studio to record her new dance CD Total Love as well as a new live jazz record Live in Switzerland recorded in Zurich, Switzerland and a live gospel record The Beginning Recorded with John Barnes at Innersound studios.
Niki also continues to record new product and create new avenues to show her many diverse musical colors, in 2005 she has completed another Gospel CD Live at Agape, A Jazz CD Live in Bern Switzerland, Toured Europe (Switzerland, Germany, Scotland) with her Jazz Quartet, Live Dates as Featured Vocalist with RUFUS.
http://www.nikiharis.com
HAWK WOLINSKI-Keys
David J. "Hawk" Wolinski is an American keyboardist, songwriter and record producer probably best known for his work with the funk band Rufus and their lead singer Chaka Khan. Wolinski grew up in Chicago, Illinois, and in the late 1960s was a member of the bands Shadows of Knight and Bangor Flying Circus. When the latter band broke up he helped form the band Madura, which was produced by fellow Chicagoan James William Guercio. Guercio used Madura in his 1973 film Electra Glide in Blue; Wolinksi also had a small acting role. In the late 1970s Wolinski joined Rufus as a keyboardist and songwriter. He co-wrote their songs "Hollywood," "Street Player" (later covered by Chicago), and "Everlasting Love". He also wrote lead singer Chaka Khan's 1983 hit single "Ain't Nobody," which reached 1 on the US R&B chart. Wolinski has worked with numerous other artists as musician, songwriter or producer, including The Bee Gees, Glenn Frey, Michael Jackson, Beverley Knight, Stephanie Mills, and Minnie Riperton.
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