FUMOSONIC: Reviews/Interviews

Fumosonic creates an atmospheric blend of pop, acid jazz, electronica, and other styles. Provocative vocal work from Kelly Fumo is augmented by the delectable jazz trumpet work of John Fumo and the right touches of loops, keys and guitar. The music has a sultry pulse in a semi-laid back environment that helps you experience the musical and songwriting talents.

Producers/musicians John and Kelly Fumo compose music that relies heavily on Hip Hop grooves embellished with Jazz trumpet solos and lyrics that are thought provoking and sensual.

Reviewer: DJ Crush
I heard the FUMO track "A Different Place and Time" on a CD Baby jazz compilation. The sound grabbed me immediately, a mellow head bob type of sound. This track grooves and now my interest is heightened a few scores. Good luck to FUMO, I'll spread the word! DJ Come of Age

What people have to say about “FUMO"


“Easy, sweet fresh grooves from the heart for those special nights with the one you love.”


-Dianne Reeves (Jazz Grammy Winner)





"John & Kelly Fumo present a hypnotic blend of musical influences woven

together, creating a highly original music, accessible to the masses."

-Chris Standring-(A&R Online)





“This is cool...the sound is very modern. A little bit of trumpet, a little vocal and heavy beats give it a hip street vibe. I like it a lot! “

-Kelly Cole (Music Director, KIFM
Smooth Jazz 98)


“I really enjoyed it! Really interesting stuff ! Unique combination of trumpet and voice.

Fresh and wonderful!”

-Jeff Kashewa (Farenheit Records)

Interview with Fumo


#1 Where on the Internet can people find out more about you and your musical activities?


We have a website at www.fumosonic.com. An interested soul can join our email/guest list and find out where and when we are performing. Follow links to downloads of new music as well as bio info and photos. Also: www.mp3.com/fumosonic.


#2 How were you inspired to go into music, and what kind of training have you had?


My father was a jazz fan. He would play me records (78's) of Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Count Basie, Ellington, etc. He bought me a cornet for $10 when I was 11 years old and I've been playing ever since. I took private lessons from the 7th grade though College. I attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, then moved to Los Angeles where I study (by observation) from all the great trumpet players I sit next to.


#3 Of the session work you have done, what has been the most interesting, and why?


The recording Kelly and I have been doing is definitely the most interesting and rewarding. We go in the studio and laugh, and sweat, and lose ourselves until we both love what we created. Some solo sessions take days, some take 2 minutes. The sessions with Neil Young were all done with a live band tracking in the same room usually. We would do a song 18x's in a row. I got to play and sing "gang backgrounds" on an Al Jarreau Cd and that was a kick. All the CD's on NINE WINDS records I've recorded were fun because of the total freedom given to me thru the music.


#4 How did you and your wife Kelly get started as a musical team?


We met in a band in LA. She was singing background vocals, I was in the horn section. The band was Delaney Bramlett and Friends. One thing led to another, we fell in love, got married and decided to write music together. That was almost 13 years ago. We had a tiny Casio keyboard and a teac 4 track tape deck, and did some interesting quirky records.


#5 What influences have inspired yours and Kelly's musical direction, and why?


To name a few, I dig Miles Davis, Pink Floyd, Freddy King, Mahler, Ives, James Brown and Ornett Coleman. I like to bring in something out of the ordinary in our music. Kelly loves groove music, hip hop dance, early rap, ll cool j, warren G., Groove Collective, Morcheeba, as well as Chet Baker, and Ella. She brings the groove.


#6 What do you want people to get from listening to your CD "different place and time"?


This CD is a mix of what we were feeling and going thru in the year it was made. 2001. These songs came from our hearts, we were moving forward in our lives at a pace that was indeed powerful for us. This music helped us deal with some of these changes. If a listener comes away in a better mood, or is inspired to do some creating of their own, I feel we have been of service to the music lover.


#7 What are your thoughts about the Internet and music?


I use the internet to listen to new music, to pass our music onto people, and promote our band. It's such a great tool to reach the world's population. I only put a few tunes up for free downloads. I believe the artists should receive compensation for their works, so that they can continue to create.


#8 What projects should people look for in the future?


We are working on a new CD to be finished this year. It will probably contain some covers we enjoy doing, but altered in a special way. We also have a CD we produced of instrumentals being shopped around for Film and TV exposure. This may be released as a CD this year. Kelly and I are in the process of putting together a "Fumosonic Sunday" event once a month in LA. Check the website for more info.