Kimble Funchess is a veteran and versatile trumpeter. He has performed with some of the nation’s greatest artists in Jazz, Gospel, Blues, and R&B. Some of the most noted artists are: B. B. King, The O’Jays, Wilson Pickett, Charlie Pride, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Johnny Taylor, Composer/Arranger Benjamin Wright(The Benjamin Wright Orchestra, The Fifth Dimensions, Paul Overstreet, Mavis Staples, Charlie Pride, Brandy, Dorothy Moore, Lionel Hampton’s Big Band, David “Fathead” Newman, Willie Clayton, Eddie Cotton, Bobby Rush, Mavis Staples, Nanette Workman, Hubert Sumlin, Pine Top Perkins, Raphael Semmes and “Mississippi LIVE!”, Fusion Coffee House Jazz Series, rap artist David Banner and The Spinners. He performed as part of the orchestra for the 1st Mississippi Grammy Event honoring Mississippians who have won Grammy awards, such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Paul Overstreet, Marty Stuart, Brandy, Charley Pride, and Robert Johnson. Kimble has arranged horns and recorded with three International Blues Challenge Winners.

Kimble’s enthusiasm for music led to a professional career in music as a performing artist and music educator. Kimble has a Master’s Degree in Music Education. He also has a Master Of Education Degree in School Counseling. He has served as the facilitator for classes that focused on learning problem-solving skills as a tool for 6th graders, which helps them see the value in goal setting, learning social skill sets, and focusing on behavior management using music therapy, mindfulness, and relaxation methods. As a band director, his middle school band performed the National Anthem at the New Orleans Pelicans-vs-Los Angeles Lakers Basketball game in November 2016 and again in 2018. As an area band director, Kimble’s groups have earned superior and excellent ratings in marching and concert evaluations.

He has been featured on many Blues/Gospel recordings on Ace, MALACO, and Blackberry Records. He has recorded/arranged horns for The Williams Brothers, The Jackson Southernaires, Pastor Tim Rogers, and the Fellas CD. The gospel single “Happy with Jesus” has been featured on Video Gospel on BET. Kimble’s movie debut was a musicians’ role in the Dixieland Band in the James Brown movie “Get On Up!” In September 2019, Kimble performed Satchmo! A Tribute to Louis Armstrong as part of the 2019 Mississippi Opera season and for The 2021 Natchez Festival Of Music as both venues were filled to capacity.

Kimble was the recipient of the Mississippi Jazz Foundation(MJF) 2021 Music Education Award for commitment to musicianship and creativity in education in schools.

Satchmo! A Louis Armstrong Tribute, Mindfulness Through Music( A Music Introduction That Infuses The Arts & Mental Health Nurturing In The K-5 Educational Setting) & The Historical Impact of Mississippi Horns In Blues, Gopsel and Jazz Music The World Over: The Mississippi Factor is available for indoor/outdoor festivals, concert hall venues, churches, and schools.