Event information

FRED WESLEY & THE NEW J.B.'S

Fred Wesley and The J.B.'s were one of the most influential funk bands of the 1970s, helping define the revolutionary sound of James Brown and laying the foundations for funk, disco, hip-hop and modern dance music.

Led by legendary trombonist, arranger and bandleader Fred Wesley, The J.B.'s featured an extraordinary collection of musicians, including Maceo Parker, Jimmy Nolen, Clyde Stubblefield and John 'Jabo' Starks. Their explosive horn arrangements, infectious basslines and tightly interlocking rhythms created some of the greatest grooves in soul and funk history.

Alongside their work with James Brown, the band released a string of classic recordings, including Pass the Peas, Gimme Some More, Doing It to Death, Damn Right I Am Somebody, Breakin' Bread and Blow Your Head. Their 1973 hit Doing It to Death reached #1 on the American R&B chart and remains a definitive funk anthem.

Fred Wesley later joined George Clinton's Parliament-Funkadelic collective, further cementing his reputation as one of funk's greatest musical innovators.

The J.B.'s recordings became essential to rare groove, acid jazz and funk scenes, while their unmistakable rhythms and horn breaks were sampled extensively by hip-hop pioneers including Public Enemy, Eric B. & Rakim and De La Soul amongst many others.

Fred Wesley & The New J.B.'s are back to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the leegendary 'A Blow For Me, A Toot To You' album whichb was released in 1977 under the Fred Wesley & The Horny Horns featuring Maceo Parker name. Produced by Fred Wesley along with George Clinton and Bootsy Collins, the album is an essential slice of 70's funk.