Press Kit

Cecil Yancey grew up in 1950s San Antonio and was raised on the rhythm of James Brown, the introspection of Stevie Wonder, and the creativity of Jimi Hendrix. Add the screaming guitar of Stevie Ray Vaughn and the vocal range of Isaac Hays and you begin to get an aural image of this South Texas soul man.

Yancey is a singer, musician, and songwriter, not to mention a professional bassist. He has been making music since he was nine; more than 60 years of performance experience.

He cut his teeth playing with his Ruby Falls Blues Band during high school. He performed across the nation with the original Smith Brothers. Yancey’s formal training was acquired from the Long Beach City College Big Band in California where he studied with the likes of Bill Watrous.

Cecil Yancey rotates his time these days with four bands.

The Low Dog Band circulates in South Texas watering holes and ice houses. This three-man blues band covers Texas and Chicago bluesmen, with some R&B, classic country, rock, Tex-Mex, and original songs.

The Adam Johnson Band is a modern-day power group dedicated to keeping the blues alive. Four men play blues, funk, soul, and rock. Find them at festivals and dance halls all over Texas.

W. C. Clark, the “Godfather of Austin Blues,” frequently fills out his Blues Revue with Cecil Yancey on bass. These gentlemen do everything from good old rock ‘n ‘roll and gritty roadhouse R&B to strutting Memphis soul, second-line funk and contemporary blues.

Professor UnderFunk is Cecil Yancey personified. He draws from a wide range of musical influences and an extensive background of performance. Combining elements of soul, blues, and classic rock, blues bassist Professor UnderFunk has entertained fans across the region with his deep voice and show-stopper attitude.

Professor UnderFunk can often be found in San Antonio performing with Catherine Denise, a young singer, songwriter, guitarist and two-time Blues Hall of Fame inductee. Find Cecil many weekends in Austin with W.C. Clark at Antone’s. Catch Cecil in Wimberley backing up the Adam Johnson Band at Cypress Falls.

From Driftwood to Spicewood, from Marble Falls to Canyon Lake, from little towns like Hutto to big cities like Houston. Yancey is apt to be sharing tunes made famous by Taj Mahal, B.B. King, and Cannonball Adderley at venues all over the state.

Cecil has 10,000 miles of tours under his belt and a handful of CDs. Sample his music, follow his schedule, or book an appearance at https://theprofessorunderfunk.com/.