The Fuzz Band

★ Live from Hampton, Virginia ★ Since 1997

Nine players, three voices, and every genre your guests love. The band that's opened for Alicia Keys will play your reception.

Book the band See the song list

They've shared the bill with

  • Alicia Keys
  • Lauryn Hill
  • Outkast
  • Erykah Badu
  • Jill Scott
  • Common
  • Chicago
  • Frankie Beverly & Maze

Plus President Obama's inaugural ball, two New Year's Eve headlining nights at Foxwoods, three USO world tours, and holiday parties in Amsterdam and New York for Tommy Hilfiger.

2026–2027 · Official biography

30 years of music.One unforgettable experience.

Born in Hampton Roads, Virginia, The Fuzz Band has spent three decades redefining live entertainment through an electrifying fusion of Funk, Soul, R&B, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Rock, Reggae, and Go-Go.

Led by musician, educator, and entertainment visionary Duane Smith, this award-winning ensemble has built a reputation for world-class musicianship, dynamic performances, and an undeniable ability to connect with audiences of every generation.

Throughout its remarkable journey, The Fuzz Band has shared stages and collaborated with celebrated entertainers including Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, CeeLo Green, Rakim, Carl Thomas, Dead Prez, and Dave Chappelle.

Featuring an extraordinary lineup of accomplished musicians, vocalists, and educators, including Hampton University alumni, The Fuzz Band delivers more than a concert—it creates an experience.

As the band enters 2026–2027, it celebrates 30 years of musical excellence while preparing for an exciting new chapter featuring original music, a live recording project, a documentary, and expanded national and international performances.

From prestigious corporate celebrations and luxury weddings to major festivals, concerts, and private events, The Fuzz Band continues to elevate the standard of live entertainment.

More Than Music. More Than a Band. An Experience That Touches Souls.
The Fuzz Band · Hampton Roads, Virginia · Available Worldwide Booking & Inquiries: duaneis@thefuzzbandlive.com or Duaneis@aol.com

What we play

Weddings

Ceremony to last dance. Your requests learned, and a DJ covering our breaks.

Corporate

Galas, holiday parties and client nights, at home or abroad.

Festivals & concerts

Headline-ready, with a full tech rider and stage plot below.

Private parties

Birthdays, reunions, milestones. Any size room.

“Their energy really set the tone for our reception.”A bride, via WeddingWire

The song list

Tap the songs you can't live without. They'll go straight into your booking request.

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    The records

    • Without BoundariesAlbum
    • CollisionAlbum
    • ChangeAlbum
    • A Change of the GuardsAlbum
    • The Fuzz BandEP
    • SurrealSingle
    • BlissSingle

    Born as the house band for Fuzzy Wednesday, Virginia's longest-running open mic, the Fuzz turned into an urban-rock act with its own catalog.

    Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Music

    Merch

    Get your Fuzz Band hoodie: pick your size and send the order. The band replies with a payment link and shipping details.

    Your order

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      Flyer for Fuzzy Wednesdays, the Best of VA Music Series presented by The Fuzz Band, October 21 at 7pm at The Annex in Norfolk. Entry $15. Lyricists, vocalists, poets, musicians and others.

      Fuzzy Wednesday

      Best of VA Music Series

      The Fuzz Band presents a night for lyricists, vocalists, poets, musicians and more. Come to perform or come to listen.

      • WhenWednesday, October 21 · 7 PM
      • WhereThe Annex
        2500 Church St, Unit A
        Norfolk, VA 23504
      • Entry$15
      Get tickets Directions

      Want to perform? Email us and tell us what you do.

      Tech rider

      Stage plot: congas and drums upstage, bass with a bass amp and keyboard upstage right, trumpet and saxophone stage left, semi-acoustic guitar in the middle, three vocal microphones across the front, with monitor wedges and power outlets placed around the stage.

      The lineup

      • Three lead vocalists
      • Drums
      • Congas
      • Keys / synthesizer
      • Guitar
      • Bass
      • Trumpet
      • Saxophone

      Promoters and venues: monitor mixes and power needs are in the input list below. Questions go to Duane Smith, band leader.

      Email about the rider

      Stage & power

      • Band size8 piece
      • Stage sizePreferred 12′ x 24′. Minimum 10′ x 16′ for larger venues. The two-tier setup shown is preferred, even for an 8-piece band.
      • Stage heightBack tier 30″–36″, 12″ higher than the front tier. Front tier 18″–24″. Steps to stage on the side or front if possible.
      • PowerTwo standard 20 amp circuits (120 volt; 15 amp minimum) within 25′ of the band area. Preferred: three 20 amp 120 volt circuits, or a 50 amp 220 volt outlet or power box. Large rooms need the 220 volt option.

      Small and medium rooms are usually easy. Please consider where the power is when you decide where the band goes. Thanks!

      Stage diagram: a 24 foot wide two-tier stage on a one foot square grid, back tier 30 to 36 inches high and front tier 18 to 24 inches high, speakers at both front corners, AC power at the back left, and the dance floor in front.

      Backline

      Bass

      • SWR system (power amp), SWR900
      • 4x10 cabinet
      • 1x15 cabinet
      • 1 guitar stand

      Guitar

      • Roland JC120 Jazz Chorus, or Fender Twin
      • 1 guitar stand

      Keys

      • Korg Triton Pro, 61 keys
      • Yamaha Motif 7
      • 3 sustain pedals
      • Triple quick-lock stand
      • MIDI cables
      • Roland KB500 stage amp

      Percussion

      • Large LP congas: 9/11 and 11/11, with heavy duty stand
      • 2 junior LP congas: 266A and 266B, with heavy duty stand
      • LP conga stands
      • LP Comfort Curve II rims
      • 2 Roll-A-Toms
      • Chimes and cowbells

      Drums and vocal

      • Yamaha Stage, DW or Pearl
      • Kick 18x22
      • 2 rack toms, 10" and 12"
      • 1 floor tom, 16"
      • Snare 14x5.5, with 2 snare stands
      • DW 5000 foot pedal
      • Zildjian Z Custom cymbals: 8" and 10" splash, 14" crash, 16" thin crash, 18" medium crash, 18" china, 22" ride, 13" hi-hat

      Vocals

      • 3 wireless handheld mics

      Trumpet

      • Roland keyboard amp

      Input list

      ObjectEffects / settingsComments
      Drum Kit (Jason / Demarkis / Chris)Deep Thump on Bass drum Drum Vocal Click on Preferred Monitor Mix Bass Drum if possible Bass Keys All Vocals Slight Horns
      Congas (Big Congos and Jr)Mic all 4 congos please
      Bass Combo
      Bass (PT)
      Synthesizer (BJ)Please run in Stereo Monitors mostly him self if possible a monitor for him and monitor for band in Band monitor Bass Vocals Guitars Horns Bass drum
      Microphone (MICHON)Reverb /Mid Range Hi vocalsNeed A Boost as fas as Vocals Monitor usually in ear She just wants herself
      Microphone (Kbana)Compression.Reverb.HighsMonitor Himself Keys Bass ,Vocals
      Microphone (NAKIA)Mid range and low boos/Reverb /DelaytIn ears Monitor she mostly wants herself /
      Trumpet (Duane Band Leader, DACARBO TRUMPET)Slight Reverb/Plate /DelayIn Monitor Bass /Keys Slight vocals /Keys and Horns
      Saxophone (Greg)In Monitor Bass /Keys Slight vocals /Keys and Horns
      Monitor (Horns Monitor)Horns ,Keys .Bass ,Vocals
      Monitor (Vocal 2Monitor)Vocals Piano Bass
      Monitor (Vocal Monitor)Piano Bass Vocals
      Monitor (Keyboard Monitor)Keys Bass ,Vocals
      Monitor (CONGO monitor)Congos, Bass ,Piano ,
      Monitor (Drum monitor)Drum vocal, Bass Drum if possible Bass Keys Horns ,Vocals
      Microphone
      Congas (Junior Congos)PLEASE MIC ALL CONGOS
      Semi Acoustic Guitar (Georgio)Boost for certain patcheshas his own monitor for guitar not amp
      Electric Power
      Electric Power
      Electric Power
      Electric Power
      DI Box (Piano Left)Left piano
      DI Box (Piano Right)

      Book the band

      757-592-5635

      Ask for Duane Smith, band leader. Weddings, corporate events, festivals and private parties across Virginia and beyond.

      Opens your email app with everything filled in, addressed to the band.