Kung Fu's original meaning is somewhat different than today's typical understanding, referring to one's expertise in any skill, not necessarily martial. It's a compound of two words -- "achievement" and "man" -- so that a literal rendering would be "human achievement." Its connotation is that of accomplishment arrived at by great effort.

And that is exactly what this band is about.

Pooling the collective talent and achievement of these five musicians creates a musical martial art not to be missed. Spawned in November 2009, these guys separately have practiced Kung Fu on their instruments throughout their lives and now join forces for a funk fusion dynamo that leaves brains whirling and feet dancing.

Whether honoring their musical roots or inventing new styles all their own, Kung Fu brings a lot to the table. The band can play any style -- rock it out, funk it up, improvise, sing, and basically entertain you with beautiful frequencies and ideas.

Dave Livolsi on bass is the foundation of the group, providing groove and rhythm not to be ignored. He can be summed with his own words: "Music is meant to be played with passion and honesty. Communicating with the other musicians through music is how our souls connect." He has played with the likes of  John Scofield, Jazz Is Dead, Bill Evans, T Lavitz, Nelson Rangel, Melvin Sparks, and many more.

Kris Jensen on the saxophone brings the jazz element to the group. He studied with Jackie McLean and later taught as his assistant at the Hart School of Music throughout the 80's and 90's. He has performed in a variety of settings over the years, most notably with Maynard Ferguson, Dickey Betts, Steve Davis, Nat Reeves, Jaimoe, Jesse Hameen. He has also appeared with Dave Matthews Band and Warren Haynes of Gov't Mule.

Todd Stoops on keyboards does things that normal keyboardists don't do. He reinvents the instrument as well as composes songs that reinvent the live concert experience. While creating new rhythmic possibilities, he pushes the band into energy levels worthy of religious ecstasy. He has played with his national touring Vermont rock quartet RAQ while gracing the stage with many notables such as Mike Clark, Umphrey’s McGee, moe., The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and many others.  He endorses Nord and Hammond keyboards, and Dunlop effects pedals.

Tim Palmieri on guitar is the cosmic rocker of the group. He has made a name for himself as one of the most impressive young guitarists on the national music scene today. Playing with his Connecticut band The Breakfast along with drummer Adrian Tramontano, he sets out to combine complexity with taste, musical discipline with improvisation, and compositionally will do anything and everything that hasn't been done before. Challenging the listener and inviting them into his world of musical knowledge, he welcomes diversity of spirit and musical influence to all who seek it. He has played with Stephen Perkins, Willie Waldman, moe., Umphrey's Mcgee, Marc Brownstein and Alan Aucoin of The Disco Biscuits, Jeff Pevar, members of Frank Zappa's group, and many more.

Adrian Tramontano on drums is the animal of the group. His raw talent and self-taught virtuosity harnesses the collective energy while providing a platform with which to explore any train of thought instantly. Tramontano and Palmieri have been playing in bands together since high school, most notably in the Connecticut rock band The Breakfast, playing nationally and jamming alongside Jeff Pevar, Scott Murowski, Mike Gordon, Willie Waldman, moe.'s Vinnie Amico, Brian Jordan, Tim Carbone, Steve Molitz, Tea Leaf Green, members of Umphrey's McGee and many more.

All in all, Kung Fu sets out to express the music that moves them, the skills they have developed, and the energy that fuels them via their souls and the souls who listen.

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