| Description | Price |
| soloist: 1st set (75 min.) & 2nd set (45 min.) | $750 (USD) |
| trio: cocktail jazz (1 hour) | $1350 (USD) |
| 5 piece: mini-marching band or cocktail jazz band (1 hour) | $2250 (USD) |
| 5 piece: marching / procession (15 min.) & 2nd cocktail set (45 min.) | $3000 (USD) |
| 10 piece: marching, cocktail, or dance band (45 min.) | $4000 (USD) |
Free Radicals is a top-rated horn-driven instrumental dance band, and is the 13 time winner for "Best Jazz" in the Houston Press Music Awards. Free Radicals has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. The musical collective plays original music, and is equally at home playing fundraisers, parties, fund-raisers, art openings, weddings, funerals, or break-dance competitions. In its 26th year, the band has released 9 albums. In 2020, they were named for best local album of 2020 by the Houston Chronicle.
Live, you will see Free Radicals with two different set-ups: the Free Rads Street Band featuring sousaphone / tuba, marching drums and as many horns as we can hire, or the stage band featuring 4 horns, guitar, bass, and drums. At weddings, we are accustomed to switching from the marching band during processionals, to a cocktail band, to the stage band whenever the schedule calls for it. At funerals, we bring out bluesier slower songs, and build up to a vibrant celebration of life.
Reviews:
"The horn-heavy, continually evolving collective Free Radicals produces a wildly eclectic fusion that has as many influences as there are items in the Houston, Texas, pawnshop in which they honed their sound during all-night jam sessions." - The New Yorker
"This award wining Houston crew has this weird synchronicity to predict the future in their songs, and they just might be on point again. A solid winner of the young and restless of all ages, they know how to play and aren't afraid to take you places you've never been. A winner throughout---just be sure to strap in before lift off." -Chris Spector, Midwest Record
"I've fallen in love with their raucous style in only 4 bars… their music isn't just "on the edge", it's fallen off the cliff!" -Dick Metcalf, editor, Contemporary Fusion Reviews
"an intriguing listen and this band is definitely worth listening to" -Roger Farbey, All About Jazz
"Everything seems to energize by drawing on an inexhaustible source." - Music Zoom, Italy
"The musicians are ready willing and willing to participate in various processions, demonstrations, public actions, play funerals, weddings, and dance parties." - Jazz Square, Russia
"Free Radicals' 'Outside the Comfort Zone' redefines serious jazz" - Dodie Miller-Gould, Lemon Wire
* listed pay range is based on a 7 piece band, we offer custom pricing for trios and quartets
= areas covered (up to 200 miles)
= free travel (up to 10 miles)
We are super adaptable, and accustomed to squeezing in a corner, marching at a moment's notice, whatever is needed.
none
Yes, for a small fee we can bring out a sound system and / or lights.
yes
We were honored to share the stage for decades with our mentor, Harry Sheppard, the jazz vibraphonist who passed away in 2022. He had played with Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins, and connected us to jazz history.
We love playing everything from break-dancing competitions to funerals, from corporate luncheons to after hours parties, from weddings to kids' parties.
In 2000, The New Yorker wrote, "The horn-heavy, continually evolving collective Free Radicals produces a wildly eclectic fusion that has as many influences as there are items in the Houston, Texas, pawnshop in which they honed their sound during all-night jam sessions."
We are influenced by the long history of jazz, funk, soul, Jamaican music, Nigerian Afro-Beat, Afro-Cuban music, Hip-Hop, cumbia, and New Orleans music.
The Marching Band usually does shorter shows (5 to 50 min.), but the cocktail band usually plays several sets. Our set up is very quick unless we are using a sound system.
We do it all the time!
We can add any jazz standard to our set for no extra fee. For other songs, we can quote how much they'd be to arrange and rehearse.
We are respected as the 13 time winners of the Best Jazz Award in the Houston Press because we've been committed to what we do for decades.
we can't share our client's names
Hilton Americas
Petroleum Club
Discovery Green
Orange Show
Notsuoh
Avant Garden
Last Concert Cafe
Gig Heaven has members, our newest member is (updated )
