Original Jazz Funk — San Jose, CA
An 8-piece instrumental ensemble fusing Jazz, Funk, Latin & R&B — spreading its contagious message of Love, Joy & Groove.
Love · Joy · Groove
The Sound of San Jose's East Side
East Side Funk is an energetic, instrumental jazz-funk band led by veteran composer Bobby Valderrama. Funky guitar rhythms, relentless grooves, and catchy horn lines from a signature 4-piece horn section provide the foundation for a soulful and dynamic musical experience. Thrilling audiences at city street festivals, wineries, and entertainment venues, the band has earned its place as a favorite in the Northern California live music scene.
Composer & Founder
Bobby Valderrama
East Side Funk represents the return of noted keyboardist Bobby Valderrama to the SF Bay Area jazz music scene. In the 1970s and '80s, icons like Tower of Power and Santana became role models for a generation of young musicians — especially in working-class neighborhoods like San Jose's East Side, where kids from every background were brought together by one thing: music.
Decades later, Bobby writes and arranges every East Side Funk original to recapture that storied East Side sound — for old-school fans and a whole new generation of music lovers.
"I grew up with Black, White, Latino, Filipino, Hawaiian, Japanese, and Portuguese friends, and the one thing that brought us together was music."
On Stage
Catch the Groove
A taste of what East Side Funk brings to every show.
What Venues Say
Word from the Front Row
"All smiles at Jazz and Beyond tonight. Great music, great crowd, awesome event! Beautiful original music... Thanks East Side Funk!"
— Michael Johnson, Executive Director, Downtown Sunnyvale Association"An awesome sunset was the perfect setting for the energetic East Side Funk band at Las Positas 'Evening in the Vineyards'. You could feel the members' passion for music in how they played their instruments. Truly unforgettable."
— Lisa Maier, Owner, Las Positas Vineyards, Livermore"Dynamic, Engaging, A must-see group! Truly one of my favorite bands to ever perform at our venue."
— Peter Baron, Backyard Improv Series, Walnut Creek"Every bit as good as any R&B / Jazz / Funk / Fusion band working in America, Bobby and his East Side Funk players blend talent, imagination, rhythm, command, drive, and authenticity — blessing their all original soundscapes and their audience with a transcendental, magical mystery — Virtuoso!"
— Michael Ballard, Owner, Savannah Chanelle Vineyards, SaratogaThe Crowd Runs Deep
More Than a Show — A Party
East Side Funk doesn't just play for an audience — they play with one. Dancing, singalongs, and pure joy at every stop.
Bring the Groove to Your Event
Festivals, wineries, breweries, street fairs, and neighborhood events across Northern California — East Side Funk turns any stage into a party.
Book East Side Funk