Stuff

Stuff is a New York jazz-funk group active from 1975 to 1981. It forms around a set of highly experienced session musicians who work together as a part-time ensemble, operating as an independent group while continuing their studio careers. The group is led by bassist Gordon Edwards, who has already assembled the earlier, occasional outfit Encyclopedia of Soul around 1967 before that project develops into Stuff over the following decade.

Formation and line-up

By the time Stuff begins recording in 1975, its line-up includes Richard Tee on organ, electric piano and acoustic piano, Eric Gale and Cornell Dupree on guitars, Gordon Edwards on bass and Christopher Parker on drums. Steve Gadd later joins on second drums and percussion. Other musicians associated with the group at different times include Billy Cobham, Jimmy Johnson and alto saxophonist David Sanborn.

Style and recordings

The group is associated with jazz, jazz fusion and jazz-funk. It records four albums for Warner Bros. and gains recognition for the way its members’ names appear across many other studio projects of the period. Stuff also has occasional reunions in the 1980s.