Siebe was born in 1992 and grew up in Putney, Sydney, working as a piano teacher, accompanist, composer, arranger and a bass player. As a multi-instrumentalist, Siebe has been taught by many respected Sydney musicians, composers including Kevin Hunt, Saul Richardson, Gerard Willems and Steve Hunter. He has also studied under bass innovator Victor Wooten and bass pedagogist, educator Anthony Wellington.
Siebe began his composing career in 2013 when he started his jazz-funk band Funk Engine. With Funk Engine, he has recorded and released three albums of original compositions the first two under the guidance of world music legend Llew Kiek
2014 is a special year for young bass player, band leader and composer, Siebe Pogson. As well as recording his first CD with his jazz-funk outfit, FUNK ENGINE, he graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium with a degree in classical piano studying under Gerard Willems. Although Siebe continues to teach and perform on keyboards for years it’s been the electric bass that was his first musical love. “I tried out for the jazz course at the Conservatorium and did not get in, instead I had 3 great years working on piano and taking jazz courses on the side. When I look back, I kind of had the best of both worlds”, said Siebe.
Whilst studying, Siebe met Nish Manjunath, (tenor sax) Holly Conner (Drums) and Felix Lalanne (guitar) who are all jazz students at the “Con”. Funk Engine was born! With the encouragement of his bass guitar teacher, the great Steve Hunter, Siebe also began to write for the new group. “Steve is an amazing bass player”, Siebe commented, “He is also a fantastic composer. He told me I should write music and form a band so I did!”
Music
My favourite music by Siebe
Funky salt
Funk Engine is rapidly building a following based on its residency at Lazy Bones, Marickville and gigs around Sydney. Their set list revolves around Pogson’s funk and reggae inspired originals but with a smattering of covers. The band’s favourite artists include Sydney jazz fusion outfit, The Subterraneans, Steve Hunter and Japanese funk powerhouses Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro. Other influences include Bob Marley, Weather Report, Jaco Pastorius, James Brown, Parliament, Bootsy Collins, Herbie Hancock and Thelonious Monk. Monk’s dissonant harmonies and playful melodies are a major contributor to the band’s style of “bent funk.”
I'm going somewhere
Siebe is also an active composer for baroque-jazz fusion group Elysian Fields, Australia’s only electric Viola da Gamba ensemble. His composition Dark Dreaming has been featured on the ABC music show and a second original The Tragedy has been recorded and will be released on Elysian Fields 2020 album. Some of the other bands he plays with include the Soul Messengers, The Domestics and Vanquished Kingdom. Siebe has been featured twice in Cut Common being described as “one of the most multi-talented young musicians on the scene.
The tap dancer
This is the link to the video clip of the band playing the song Funky Salt from their debut self titled album:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXT26qjFxak This is the link to the video clip of the band playing the song Funky Salt from their debut self titled album:-Tickets can be purchased online:- https://www.stickytickets.com.au/21104/funk_engine.aspx. The band also has a Facebook Page at – https://www.facebook.com/FUNK.ENGINE.MUSIC This is the link to the video clip of the band playing the song Funky Salt from their debut self titled album: