Fun, family and funk from a Fox: Purple Fox and the Heebie Jeebies to perform this weekend in Burlingame

The Sunnyvale resident who is collecting growing acclaim for his music and performance attributes much of his appeal to his skill for entertaining all ages.

“We are not just getting the toddlers to dance, but the parents to dance, and it is really music for all ages happening,” he said. “I’m really enjoying it, and I think that really comes across to everyone else.”

The enjoyment is bolstered by the ability to jam alongside his wife Jessica Morgan on the trumpet and his oldest child Jude, who doubles as a song-writing inspiration and drummer.

“It’s so fun to have the whole family in the band and have something the whole family can do together,” he said.

A lifetime lover of music with a vast track record of playing different styles, it was from Friedman’s experience with his son that he crafted his first children’s song ‘I Love You Jude But I Hate It When You Pull My Hair.’

Since starting independently, Friedman has expanded his roster of talent to work alongside a network of songwriters as well as another couple dozen artists who he leans on to play live performances.

Summer is high time for family musicians, as Friedman’s schedule is booked with events throughout the Peninsula over recent weeks, including a headlining gig at the Family, Fitness and Fun fair in Burlingame, Sunday, June 25. The event is presented by the San Mateo Daily Journal.

The band also recently played the San Mateo County Fair, as well as events in Redwood City and has another benefit performance coming up in Palo Alto.

While he said there is no specific secret sauce to making music that resonates for children, Friedman admitted a key ingredient is making the process as fun as it sounds.

“It’s more entertaining instead of education,” he said. “The focus is on kindness and love and friendship as the main themes.”

Such an emphasis has expanded beyond Friedman’s passion for music, as he has spread his brand to television and children’s books too, which also feature the Purple Fox character alongside his Heebie Jeebie sidekicks.

The program ‘Afternoon Snack,’ available on local public access channels, recently won a national award for children’s programming. It is modeled as a nighttime interview show such as ‘Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,’ but offers age appropriate content and music, he said.

“The TV show was a side thought for the band,” he said. “I was looking for a way to get the band on TV and thought ‘why not produce my own show?

Friedman also co-wrote a children’s book based on his band character, and keeping true to his all-in-the-family approach, the illustrations were watercolored by his mother.

Beyond her artistic contributions to his creative endeavors, Friedman partially credits his success to his mom and dad for raising him in a home where an assortment of music was frequently played.

“My parents used to play a variety of music for me and allowed me to just listen to whatever I wanted to,” he said.

He said music from countries across South America and Africa, as well as rock and experimental tunes were influential in his artistic development, which followed him onto his time at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he graduated with a musical composition degree.

His eclectic musical roots are reflected in the band’s performances today, where it’s not uncommon to see the Purple Fox and the Heebie Jeebies jump from funk to rock to rap and countless other fashions in short order.

“In some of the best kids’ songs there’s a lot of different styles of music,” he said.

Looking ahead to the event this weekend, Friedman said he is ready to share with crowds his two deepest passions.

“It’s the best of both worlds coming together — my family and the music I wrote,” he said.

Purple Fox and the Heebie Jeebies is expected to perform 3:15 p.m., at the Family, Fitness and Fun fair Sunday, June 25, at Washington Park, 850 Burlingame Ave., Burlingame.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

(650) 344-5200 ext. 105