SPECIAL EFX, featuring Chieli Minucci, has been a major force on the jazz and world music scene for over 40 years.

Chieli Minucci started Special EFX in 1982 with George Jinda, a drummer from Hungary. The band started with a heavy world music influence, combining rock, Latin rhythm, and smooth jazz. Over the years, Special EFX has continued to create innovative instrumental music that evolves and blends diverse styles. Considered fusion, it has incorporated acid-jazz, progressive fusion-rock, and more. “When people hear our music, they can expect to hear a little of everything!”

The “All Stars” ensemble format highlights an ever-changing lineup of world class talent, for a setting that encourages each musician’s culture and style to infuse into the collaborative spirit, and thus create something uniquely diverse, adventurous, and collective.

The GRAMMY-nominated jazz fusion supergroup boasts 34 combined albums, 7 Billboard #1’s and decades of domestic and international touring to their credit. Returning to Middle C Jazz August 15th, Special EFX will feature the best of 40 years of music – including chart-topping 2024 releases.

The Special EFX AllStars joining Chieli Minucci include a full mix of five world-renowned musicians and vocalists, each with extensive credits to their name: Eric Marienthal, Karen Briggs, Brian Bromberg, Lao Tizer, and Joel Rosenblatt.

CHIELI MINUCCI, GUITARIST AND LEADER

Guitarist, composer, producer, and arranger Chieli Minucci is longtime leader of the Grammy-nominated jazz-fusion group. Besides writing and performing his own music, Chieli has recorded and performed with artists such as Celine Dion, Lou Reed, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, and Eartha Kitt. He’s collaborated and worked alongside contemporary jazz artists Kirk Whalum, Maysa, Jeff Lorber, Norman Brown, Rick Braun, Gerald Veasley, Omar Hakim, and others.

Chieli has also won 3 Emmy Awards and been nominated 10 times for his eclectic compositional work, heard on the soundtracks of the films No Country for Old Men, Bowfinger, Legally Blonde, Panic, and others.

ERIC MARIENTHAL, SAXOPHONIST

Eric Marienthal recorded six albums with the Chick Corea Elektric Band and two of them won Grammy Awards. Six of the songs that Marienthal has recorded have made it to the top 10 of the National Contemporary Jazz Radio Charts.

KAREN BRIGGS, VIOLINIST

Karen Briggs, “Lady in Red”, studied as a classical violinist but has evolved to contemporary jazz most of her career. Best known for touring for thirteen years with Yanni, Briggs has performed at such locations as Carnegie Hall and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and collaborated with Dave Grusin, Diana Ross, the Wu Tang Clan, En Vogue, and Chaka Khan.

BRIAN BROMBERG, ELECTRIC BASS

Brian Bromberg is one of the world’s most versatile acoustic and electric bassists. He is capable of playing practically any style, whether it be straight-ahead jazz, funk, rock fusion, or pop. Besides decades as a bandleader, Bromberg has been a valuable sidemen with many, including Horace Silver, Monty Alexander, Dizzy Gillespie, Lee Ritenour, Dave Grusin, many others.

LAO TIZER, KEYBOARDIST

Lao Tizer is one of today’s rising stars of the world-fusion genre. Tizer’s original music has spurred comparisons of a modern twist to the 1970s and early 1980s heyday of jazz fusion. His group, The Lao Tizer Band, has toured the USA and the world while being nominated “Jazz Group of the Year”.

JOEL ROSENBLATT, DRUMMER

Joel Rosenblatt is a world-renowned drummer and producer. He has performed and recorded with such greats as: Spyro Gyra, Lee Ritenour, Freddy Jackson, Larry Carlton, Michel Camilo, Steps Ahead, Paquito d Rivera, Randy Brecker, Bill Evans and many more. Having toured the world many times over, Joel brings an international musical awareness to the music.

With six international musicians on one stage, August 15th is truly a night with the stars.

Preview of Special EFX.

Special invitation from Special EFX.