JMTF The Time Band Funk MasterClass at Sweetwater
Musician Ricky Freeze Smith and colleagues hype up a Funk Masterclass event at Sweetwater.
Pratibha holds a master's degree in English from Madras University. A bookworm from a young age, she devours books and digital humanities to nourish her writing projects. Pratibha began her writing career in 2018 and has experience writing formal, informal, and technical content.
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Image: Instagram
The stage is set…it’s gonna be too funky, JMTF The Time Band teased in their latest Instagram post, sharing behind-the-scenes images of the group gearing up for next month’s funk MasterClass at Sweetwater in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Headlined by bassist and educator Ricky Freeze Smith, this event reunites four funk veterans to break down the grooves and techniques that defined the 1980s Minneapolis sound.
Setup For The Funk Masterclass
On May 2, the band posted a carousel of six photos capturing their gear and stage layout inside Sweetwater’s legendary performance hall. “The stage is set…it’s gonna be too funky,” the caption read, showing vintage keyboards, precision bass rigs, and polished drum kits under moody blue lights. Sweetwater’s state-of-the-art audio and video capabilities will let participants observe every detail, from mic placements to effects routing. Ticket options range from general admission to VIP packages with early stage access and a private group photo.
Band Lineup And Legacy
JMTF The Time Band brings together four seasoned artists. Monte Moir, a co-founder of The Time and songwriter behind Prince hits like “Jungle Love” and “The Bird,” offers insights into the songwriting and keyboard programming that fueled Minneapolis funk. Guitarist Tori Ruffin, whose wah-driven riffs heralded The Time’s early success, shares her stagecraft and tone-shaping secrets. Drummer Garry Johnson, known for his session work with R&B and jazz luminaries, rounds out the rhythm section alongside Ricky Freeze Smith (@thefreezepage), whose precision bass playing and teaching credentials have impressed both studio clients and live audiences.
On The Road To Sweetwater
The band’s arrival in Fort Wayne was marked by a series of social updates. A post captioned “We are here Sweetwater Fort Wayne, Indiana” showed the crew rolling in flight cases and greeting Sweetwater’s tech team. Follow-up images bore the tagline “Locked, loaded, and firing from all cylinders!” capturing the group’s excitement before dialing in their sound. These early updates set the tone for an event blending professionalism with the playful energy of funk.
Countdown To Show Time
As the calendar nears May 22, the band has been reminding fans via Instagram of the looming MasterClass. “The MasterClass starts in 3 Days! You really don’t wanna miss this history in the making,” read one countdown post, while another teased “Rehearsal Today Masterclass Tomorrow!” Fans can track the build-up through multiple photo dumps that reveal rehearsal snippets and candid moments.
Inside The Rehearsals
Recent snaps from @thefreezepage offer a window into the prep work. Monte Moir is seen dialing in classic Rhodes and Prophet-5 presets, while Ricky Freeze Smith grooves through basslines on his trusty Fender Precision. Tori Ruffin rehearses wah-wah passages on a vintage ESP, and Garry Johnson tests drum mics beneath Sweetwater’s high-end sound booth. In one shot, producer Michael J. Hagen monitors custom drum samples, highlighting the hybrid analog-digital workflow participants will explore.
Sweetwater’s Signature Experience
Sweetwater Fort Wayne spans more than 300,000 square feet of performance spaces, recording rooms and gear showrooms. The venue’s acoustics and technical staff are renowned for delivering professional-caliber events, making it an ideal classroom for aspiring funk musicians. Organizers have lined up Q&A panels, live demonstrations and hands-on mixing sessions led by veterans who helped define a genre.
A Date With Funk History
Scheduled for May 22, 2025, this funky gathering is more than a workshop—it’s a cultural celebration. Attendees will investigate groove theory, song arrangement, live mixing and the historical context that made Minneapolis sound a global phenomenon. Monte Moir has hinted at sharing unreleased demos and chord progressions from The Time’s early catalog. Tori Ruffin plans to demonstrate her stage-ready guitar effects chain, while Ricky Freeze Smith will conduct a dedicated bass clinic on slap techniques and pocket playing.
As doors prepare to open and spotlights shine on Sweetwater’s stage, anticipation is at a fever pitch. Whether you’re a bassist hungry for a firmer groove, a keyboardist chasing vintage tones or a producer seeking arrangement hacks, this MasterClass offers an unrivaled opportunity to learn from funk architects. Seats are limited and selling fast—Secure your spot and get ready to step into the funk.
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