Fred Wesley & Groovesect Tour

Groovesect

Fred Wesley is the undisputed funkiest trombone player in the history of music. As longtime bandleader of James Brown’s Legendary JB’s Fred worked very closely writing and arranging with the Godfather of Soul and fellow bandmates Maceo Parker, Bootsy Collins, and Pee Wee Ellis. After leaving James Brown, Fred and fellow bandmates joined George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic where they continued to write and record some of the greatest songs in the history of that good ol’ funk music. Fred also did a brief stint with the Count Basie Orchestra and has worked with many prominent jazz artists as well. In recent years Fred has been embraced by the next generation of funk, jazz, and blues musicians recording “West Coast Boogaloo” with Greyboy Allstars, appearing live with Gov’t Mule on the Deepest End live album/DVD, and sharing stages with Soulive, John Scofield, Dr. Lonnie Smith and now… Groovesect.

Groovesect has been blazing a path through the New Orleans music scene with their jazzy soulful sound ever since the members returned to New Orleans after Katrina. Since then they have gone on to rise up through the ranks of a town known for its funk bands. Having been voted Best Funk Band in the 2007 Best of The Big Easy Awards and second best contemporary jazz group they have recently toured through the Southeast and Midwest playing Telluride Jazzfest and sharing stages with Roy Hargrove, Big Sam, Russell Batiste, and of course Fred Wesley. They also have an upcoming release produced by five time Grammy award winning jazz producer John Snyder. Groovesect has recently added the legendary New Orleans percussionist Alfred “Uganda” Roberts on congas to their already stellar lineup. Roberts has been playing in New Orleans since the 60s and was a longtime member of the Professor Longhair band. He has also played with Dr. John, Galactic, the Meters, Willie Tee, Herbie Mann, the Wild Magnolias and many more. Roberts claims he saw a spark in this young group of musicians which made him join and his old-school rhythms blend right in with their modern tones.

This event marks a special occasion, not only is the best new funk band from the world’s funkiest town bringing their soulful jams to the rest of the country but they are bringing a living legend with them. After touring primarily in Europe and Asia extensively for the past few months Fred Wesley is ready to bring the funky good times back to the States! With the raw energy the boys of Groovesect bring to their music, and the soulful legacy that precedes men like Fred Wesley and Alfred “Uganda” Roberts it will be a night of music that should make both the ‘Fess and the Godfather say Yeah!

Tour Dates
12.07 2007 | The Boom Boom Room | San Francisco, California
12.08 2007 | The Boom Boom Room | San Francisco, California
12.14 2007 | Stage Stop | Rollinsville, Colorado
12.15 2007 | Quixotes | Denver, Colorado
12.20 2007 | Mexicali Blues | Teaneck, New Jersey
12.21 2007 | Nectar’s | Burlington, Vermont
12.22 2007 | The Lion’s Den | New York City