Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings

Company type	Ensemble / Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1996
Headquarters	Brooklyn, New York City , United States
Products	Funk and soul music albums and live performances
Parent	Daptone Records
Website	www.daptonerecords.com

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings were a prominent American ensemble specializing in funk and soul, affiliated with Daptone Records and instrumental in the retro-soul revival movement that revisited the sound of funk and soul from the mid-1960s through the mid-1970s. Their inaugural album, Dap Dippin' with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings (2002), marked the beginning of a discography comprising seven studio releases. The 2014 record Give the People What They Want garnered a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. Following the passing of lead vocalist Sharon Jones in 2016, they issued the posthumous album Soul of a Woman (2017), along with a covers collection released in 2020.

Serving as the signature band for Daptone Records, The Dap-Kings collaborated extensively with producer Mark Ronson, notably contributing to Amy Winehouse's critically acclaimed Back to Black. Their activity extended through 2018.

1996–2000: Origins at Desco Records

During the mid-1990s, Phillip Lehman and Gabriel Roth (also known as Bosco Mann) launched The Soul Providers, focusing on instrumentals inspired by James Brown and partnering with deep funk vocalist Lee Fields. Upon encountering Sharon Jones, formerly employed as a corrections officer, they featured her vocals on tracks such as "Switchblade" and "The Landlord," which appeared on their first album, Soul Tequila (~1996), released by French label Pure Records.

Lehman and Roth went on to create Desco Records in New York City, reissuing Soul Tequila under the title Gimme the Paw, incorporating selected tracks featuring Jones. Desco nurtured its roster through vinyl releases and live performances, with Sharon Jones fronting The Soul Providers on three singles. Additional ventures included instrumental albums and solo efforts by Lee Fields, supported by The Soul Providers.

2000–2003: Establishment of The Dap-Kings and Daptone Records

After Lehman and Roth parted ways in 2000, Roth teamed up with Neal Sugarman from Sugarman 3 to found Daptone Records. The newly formed group, The Dap-Kings, merged original members of The Soul Providers with musicians from The Mighty Imperials. They secured a 20-show residency in Barcelona, which helped finance their debut album, Dap Dippin' with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings (2002). This release was met with favorable critical reviews.

Following their debut, they issued several singles characterized by political themes and funk influences, including "What If We all Stopped Paying Taxes" (2002), a protest against the Iraq War, "Genuine (parts 1 & 2)" (2004), as well as a cover track used in a KFC advertisement.

2003–2006: Naturally period and band lineup evolution

The group experienced lineup changes during this era—some members left to join afrobeat collective Antibalas—while new additions included trumpeter Dave Guy and guitarist Thomas Brenneck. In 2003, they inaugurated the analog-equipped Daptone Recording Studio. Although production was delayed due to an injury sustained by Roth, they released Naturally in 2005, showcasing a blend of soul and funk enhanced by superior production values. The band embarked on international tours during this period.

Saxophonist Leon Michels departed to co-found Truth & Soul Records. To maintain continuity within the retro-soul community, The Dap-Kings brought in saxophonist Ian Hendrickson-Smith.

2006–2015: Ongoing Expansion and Album Releases

In 2007, the group unveiled the album 100 Days, 100 Nights, followed by singles such as "I'm Not Gonna Cry" released the same year. Their discography further expanded with albums like I Learned the Hard Way in 2010, the Grammy-nominated Give the People What They Want in 2014, and the festive record It's a Holiday Soul Party. That year, they also appeared at Supercrawl held in Hamilton, Ontario.

2016–2020: Sharon Jones’ Passing and Posthumous Releases

Work on Soul of a Woman commenced in 2015 amidst Jones’ battle with pancreatic cancer, which had been diagnosed two years earlier. The documentary Miss Sharon Jones! documented her struggle; she passed away in November 2016 at age 60.

The ensemble performed during the 2017 Grammy Awards and maintained live performances into 2018, including tours alongside Jon Batiste. In 2020, they issued Just Dropped In To See What Condition My Rendition Was In, a collection of cover songs.

Members

• Sharon Jones – lead vocals (2000–2016)
• Binky Griptite – guitar, vocals, MC duties (2000–2018)
• Gabriel Roth (Bosco Mann) – bass guitar, production (2000–2018)
• Fernando Velez – congas and bongos (2000–2018)
• Homer Steinweiss – drums (2000–2018)
• Dave Guy – trumpet (2004–2018)
• Neal Sugarman – tenor saxophone, production (2004–2018)
• Joe Crispiano – guitar (2013–2018)
• Cochemea Gastelum – tenor and alto saxophone (2013–2018; earlier contributions)
• Thomas Brenneck – guitar and piano (2004–2012; subsequent contributions)
• Ian Hendrickson-Smith – baritone saxophone (2004–2010; later contributions)
• Leon Michels – tenor and baritone saxophone (2000–2005; later contributions)
• Victor Axelrod (Earl Maxton) – organist (2000–2003; later contributions)

Backing vocalists known as the Dapettes included Saundra Williams and Starr Duncan-Lowe.

Collaborations

The Dap-Kings played on six tracks of Amy Winehouse's acclaimed and Grammy-winning album Back to Black (2006), featuring prominently on singles like "Rehab" and "You Know I'm No Good". Their work was also significant on producer Mark Ronson's Version (2007), especially on the track "Valerie". Additionally, they supported Winehouse during her inaugural U.S. tour.

Their collaborative efforts extend to artists including Ben Westbeech, Wax Tailor, They Might Be Giants, Rufus Wainwright, Michael Bublé ("Baby [You've Got What It Takes]"), Phish, Muse ("Panic Station"), David Byrne & St. Vincent (Love This Giant), Bruno Mars ("Uptown Funk"), Sturgill Simpson at the Grammy Awards, and Kesha ("Woman").

Advertisements

Their rendition of Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land" was featured in a 2006 commercial promoting I Love NY. Other songs by the band have been utilized in advertising campaigns for Chase Manhattan Bank, Cadbury's Boost chocolate in Australia, Tropicana’s "Sweet & Lovely", Fitbit’s promotion of 100 Days, 100 Nights, and Lincoln Motors.

Soundtracks

Their songs have been included in motion pictures such as Up in the Air, Dark Matter, and Ken Burns' documentary Jackie Robinson. Television programs featuring their music include Hung and Netflix’s Luke Cage. Additionally, their work appears in video games like Sleeping Dogs. They also performed live in the film The Wolf of Wall Street.

Studio albums

• Dap Dippin' with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings (2002)
• Naturally (2005)
• 100 Days, 100 Nights (2007)
• I Learned the Hard Way (2010)
• Soul Time! (2011)
• Give the People What They Want (2014)
• It's a Holiday Soul Party (2015)
• Soul of a Woman (2017)

Selected backing credits

• Amy Winehouse – Back to Black (Island/Universal, 2006)
• Sturgill Simpson – A Sailor's Guide To Earth (Atlantic, 2016)
• Elise LeGrow – Playing Chess (BMG, 2018)

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Work	Outcome
2014	Grammy Awards	Best R&B Album	Give The People What They Want	Template:Nominated
2014	Libera Awards	Video of the Year	"Retreat"	Template:Nominated
2015		Hardest Working Artist		Template:Won
2016	Critics' Choice Documentary Awards	Best Song in a Documentary	"I'm Still Here"	Template:Won
2017	Black Reel Awards	Outstanding Original Song	"I'm Still Here"	Template:Won
2017	Satellite Awards	Best Original Song	"I'm Still Here"	Template:Nominated
2017	Libera Awards	Best Sync Usage		Template:Won
2018		Best R&B Album	Soul of a Woman	Template:Won

External links

• Official website
• AllMusic profile
• ["100 Days, 100 Nights" music video on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ouI5KcyHfE)
• [Interview with Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings on kevchino.com](https://web.archive.org/web/20080328153834/http://www.kevchino.com/interview/sharon-jones-dap-kings/59)