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FATTBURGER RETURNS: LEGENDARY FUNK JAZZ OUTFIT ANNOUNCES REFORMATION, NEW SINGLE, AND LIVE PERFORMANCE AT CATALINA ISLAND JAZZ FESTIVAL
San Diego, CA — The iconic band reunites to honor the legacy of founder Carl Evans Jr.
After years of anticipation from fans, promoters, and the music community at large, Fattburger — one of contemporary jazz's most beloved and enduring funk jazz ensembles — is officially back. The band's much-celebrated return brings together a powerhouse lineup of longtime alumni and trusted musical family, united by a shared commitment to honoring the vision and legacy of the band.
A Storied Legacy, Reimagined
Guitarist Evan Marks has been at the center of Fattburger's sound since joining the group in 1992, touring continuously through 2008 and recording nine albums with the band. His songwriting fingerprints are all over the catalog — numerous Marks-penned tracks remain recurrent staples on major jazz radio, SiriusXM, and streaming platforms worldwide. Marks also released two solo recordings on Verve Records — Long Way Home and Three Day Weekend — before stepping away to raise his family and pursue work with the San Diego Symphony and as an in-demand studio musician. His return to Fattburger is both a homecoming and a calling.
Stepping into the keys chair is Allan Phillips — Emmy Award-winning composer, producer, keyboardist, and master percussionist. Phillips isn't simply a replacement; he was personally selected by Carl Evans Jr. himself as the musician he envisioned succeeding him. A Fattburger alumnus in every sense, Phillips toured with the band for years on Latin percussion and contributed the stirring original composition "Coronado" to the All Natural Ingredients album. He is, without question, family.
Bassist and vocalist Ed Graves may be a new addition to this incarnation — but his roots with Fattburger run deep. Graves was there from the very beginning, lending his soulful vocals to the band's first two recordings, including the beloved Chi-Lites remake "Oh Girl" and the tender "Rittenhouse Square" from the Good News project.
Rounding out the lineup is LA-based Grammy-nominated multi-percussionist Tiki Pasillas, whose résumé reads like a who's who of Latin and pop royalty — Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Arturo Sandoval, and Herb Alpert among them. Tiki brings not only rhythmic infectious energy to the stage, but a commanding vocal presence that adds an exciting new dimension to the Fattburger sound.
Resilience Is the Story
Fattburger has endured profound loss. The passing of Carl Evans Jr., Hollis Gentry III, drummer Kevin Koch, and alumni Ricky Lawson — who played drums on the landmark Good News album — and Chuck Loeb, whose guitar graced both "Sugar" and "Spice," has left an indelible mark on the band's journey. But if Fattburger stands for anything, it stands for resilience. This reformation is both a tribute and a triumph.
What's Next
Fattburger's new single is scheduled for release Spring 2026, marking the band's first new music in years. The band will make their long-awaited live return at the prestigious Catalina Island Jazz Festival on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 7:00 PM — a performance that promises to be a landmark evening for fans old and new.
Fattburger is back.
For more info, go to:
www.Fattburger.com
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