Peach Fuzz Ent.

Peach Fuzz Entertainment, LLC, is a multi-faceted entertainment venture whose talents span the spectrums of music production, event planning, marketing and e-business operations. Founded in 1997 by Paul Saunders and Duane Smith, the company's headquarters is now located in historic downtown Hampton. It boasts a 4000 sq/ft facility consisting of a professional grade recording studio, rehearsal and office space, and the newly launched Without Boundaries music school.

Peach Fuzz Entertainment promotes top-caliber events to young urban professionals. Advocating youth entrepreneurship, it is highly involved with the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship. The company has also been intimately involved with Hurricane Katrina relief, food and clothing drives, and voter registration drives since its inception. With these and over 500 projects, and events under its belt, Peach Fuzz Entertainment has become an undeniable force in the entertainment avenues of Virginia and beyond.

They have worked in conjunction with several prominent dignitaries such as Virginia's Gov. Mark Warner, and stellar entertainers Allen Iverson, and NFL legend, Bruce Smith. Peach Fuzz Entertainment has also held several cross promotional campaigns with international companies including Disney, Sony, Budweiser, R.J. Reynolds, and numerous prestigious colleges and universities nationally.

Perhaps its most famed undertaking is Fuzzy Wednesday's; out of which, The Fuzz Band was born. Fuzzy Wednesday's was created in 1997 and has attracted more that 50,000 patrons from national and international origins. This venue was created to provide local artists with a forum to release their creative talents. As the longest running open mic in Virginia, Fuzzy Wenesday's has proved that you can't keep a good thing contained for long. Artists such as Jill Scott, Bilal, Faith, and Dead Prez have found homes on the Fuzzy stage. Backed by The Fuzz Band, this experience was one to be craved by all with a voice and a gift. The event has been broadcast to millions of listeners on Clear Channel Communications' Vibe 105.3 FM, and has reached listeners beyond. Fuzzy Wednesday's has catered to many tongues; people from Europe, Australia, and Africa have made Fuzzy's a stop on their trips to the United States.

The secret to Peach Fuzz Entertainment's success: Creativity, ambition, and an ear for talent. That ear discovered The Fuzz Band. Virginia's Best Band in 2003, and Virginia's Best Live Band, 2005; Best Urban/Hip-Hop Band, 2005; and Capital Jazz Festival's Best Urban Contemporary Band, 2005; The Fuzz Band has broken all musical boundaries. With 2003's Without Boundaries, and 2005's Collision; The Fuzz Band is another groundbreaking success under the Peach Fuzz Entertainment umbrella.

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Peach Fuzz Entertainment: It's Creators

Peach Fuzz Entertainment, LLC and its subsidiaries are the brainchild of Paul Saunders, CEO; and Duane Smith, President. Birthed in their junior year at Hampton University, the company would serve as the future channel for countless entertainment venues and opportunities. Saunders, who was the first student to Graduate from HU with an Entrepreneurial Studies degree; and Smith, armed with his Jazz Studies degree, formed this holding company emulating the skills they had acquired at both Hampton University, and their famed high school alma-mater: the LaGuardia School of the Performing Arts in New York. Both continue to achieve countless accolades and honors for their endeavors, achievements, and skills in the entertainment business.

Saunders has worked exclusively with several global entities such as Disney, Karl Kani, Vibe, and Tribune promoting events and creating various market penetration and implementation strategies. Previously employed as Marketing Manager by both Bates Worldwide and Draft Worldwide, Paul consecutively earned the top National Sales Award for his creative marketing strategies and their subsequent facilitation.

Paul has been a booking agent and promotions director for national recording artists with Elektra and MCA, and has developed product for Blaze Magazine; launching 24Hour MC. Collaborating with several elite record labels, he introduced the concept into multiple markets nationally, and internationally; booking some of the most renowned MC's to record in this forum such as Eminem, 50 Cent, and Tyrese.

He has performed entertainment consultant work for Hampton University; managing contracts and budgets for the university's premier clientele. His most recent venture has teamed him with Duane Smith; co-founder and president of Peach Fuzz Entertainment, where he has overseen aspects of artist development and management, promotions, website design, and contract negotiation.

Duane Smith, as a child, would travel weekly by four buses and two trains to attend the All City Music Festival, followed by trumpet, theory, and composition classes three hours away from his home. Since the age of ten, his talent and determination has demanded the attention of not only his peers, but Jazz legends throughout the country.

He was mentored by Weldon Irvine, accomplished pianist and pen behind countless classics such as Donny Hathaway's Young Gifted and Black, and A Tribe Called Quest's Award Tour. He has studied under Douglas Hedwig, principle trumpeter of the Metropolitan Opera; Joe Loposky, principle trumpeter for the Brooklyn Philharmonic; and Gary Trosclaire of the New York Philharmonic.

His talents have won praise from Jazz great, Wynton Marsalis who not only invited Smith to join him on stage, but even asked to borrow Smith's trumpet. He has shared the stage with trumpeter Jimmy Owens, and Barry Harris, and has been featured on recordings with multi-platinum recording artists Surface, Grammy award winning group Boyz II Men, and for Electra Records with Damien DeSandies' Chocolate City.

Prior to his collaboration with Saunders to create Peach Fuzz Entertainment, Smith was also as a promotional director for Uptown, Sony, and Electra Records. His experiences in the field prepared him for his future endeavors with Saunders, and The Fuzz Band.

Their latest project will unite them with the youth of the community as it launches Without Boundaries; a music school established in part to emphasize the importance of music in the public school systems.

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