Cory Wong
High-octane rhythm guitar and razor-sharp horn lines that feel like a shot of espresso. Clean, joyful funk for when you need to get things done.
High-octane rhythm guitar and razor-sharp horn lines that feel like a shot of espresso. Clean, joyful funk for when you need to get things done.
Cory Wong makes music that sounds like the color yellow. It is bright, relentlessly optimistic, and executed with a level of technical precision that borders on the superhuman. While many funk guitarists hide behind wah-pedals and distortion, Wong’s sound is famously 'clean' - relying on a signature compressed tone and a right hand that moves like a hummingbird. It is music that celebrates the joy of being good at what you do.
What truly distinguishes him is the 'Wong-ness' of his rhythm. He treats the guitar as a percussion instrument, locking in with the drums and bass to create a clockwork groove that is impossible not to move to. There is a wholesome, almost theatrical energy to his arrangements, often featuring tight horn sections and guest spots from the best session players in the world. It is funk for the modern era: polished, professional, and deeply fun.
Start with 'Elevator Music for an Elevated Mood' to hear his solo vision at its most cohesive. If you want to hear him in a more collaborative, raw environment, his work with Vulfpeck or The Fearless Flyers provides the essential context for his rise as the premier rhythm guitarist of his generation.
Cory Juen Wong (born March 8, 1985) is an American guitarist, composer, record producer, and video producer based in Minneapolis. He has released many works as a solo artist and in partnership with others. His background spans several genres including jazz, rock, and funk. He is a recurring guitarist for the funk bands Vulfpeck and The Fearless Flyers, and has performed with Dave Koz, Stay Human, Ben Rector, Dr. Mambo's Combo, Chris Thile, Dave Matthews Band, and Dirty Loops. He released several albums in 2020, including Live in Amsterdam, a collaboration with the Metropole Orkest, and Meditations, a new-age album with Jon Batiste. His recent works include two albums released in conjunction with his variety show.
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