Bio
Formed in 2004 by multi-faceted, multi-instrumentalist/composer Argentinian/Australian, award winning artist Abraham Dunovits, who now lives and works in Melbourne, Funkalleros have been playing in Melbourne at the Melbourne Latin Festival , St Kilda Festival, Melbourne Ukulele Festival , White Night , MAV Fairfield Summer Series concerts, Latin Spring Festival, Johnston Street Festival and many performances in selected venues in Melbourne but the band does shine in open air festivals. Abe was born in Argentina and grew up in Spain, soaking up the music as he went along, studying in the local "tablaos" where flamenco music was played in Madrid and going to see rock concerts at night. He has lived and worked in Australia since 1989. He is a somewhat musical virtuoso on string instruments but self-taught.
In their beginning, they were finalists state-wide competitions such the Next Big Thing and finalists in the WAM Song Of The Year in 2007 for their song Upside Down. Funkalleros won the 2008 WAM Best Song of the Year prize with a song written by Abe. They were included in the International West Coast Blues and Roots Festival in Fremantle in 2008 amongst artists such as John Fogerty, Ozomatli, Jools Holland and Seasick Steve. Abe is a 2011 APRA Professional Development Awards finalist, stemming from the album recording of his original Alt-country band New Cosmick System, which featured Grammy winner Lucky Oceans on several instruments.
Funkalleros recorded three albums, the eponymous Funkalleros (2005), Casserole of Humanity (2008) and The Spirit of Lullabop (2010). Abe recorded a solo album in New York with Australian and American musicians titled Corazon de Nueva York.
The aim of Funkalleros is not only to create original music from the heart that has resonance in the Australian multi-ethnic community, sending a message of love, hope and understanding for people of all races and countries, but also to make people move and have a good time. From the modern to the traditional, Funkalleros travel the uncharted musical waters of Alt-Latin music.
Funkalleros recorded an album in 2015 with Oscar Poncell (San Lazaro) and have released a single from the album, The Dream, available from Soundcloud.
In 2016, Funkalleros released single Santo Matador, recorded with Oscar Jimenez (Watussi) and mastered in Argentina at the Onyx Studios. In 2017, Funkalleros shyly released the EP "Estrellas del Mar" (Seastars), marred by a personal tragedy for Abe.
But now Funkalleros are ready to rock!
