Untitled Document

Fred Wesley
Touring 18/05 till 06/06/2004

Fred Wesley’s Biography By Himself :

I have been given much advice about how to further my career. "Dance with the one who brought you" "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" "Stay in your own lane" and much such rhetoric to encourage me to be satisfied with and build upon the fame and success that my association with James Brown has afforded me. The problem is, I can't reconcile myself to take credit for and feel proud of music that is not really mine, especially since I do have a style and a sound of music that is clearly and uniquely me, although it has not been very successful commercially. That's probably because if I don't do the JB thing for which I am famous, it's difficult to get powers that be in the music industry to take "my thang" seriously.

There is nothing in my musical knowledge, bank of words or creative spirit that would cause me to write a song like "GIMMIE SOME MORE" or "PASS THE PEAS" or "SAME BEAT". It was my ability to adapt to whatever and who's ever style on which I'm working that made my contributions to this classic music so important. But I did not initiate it. Nor did any of the other great James Brown musicians. All of the James Brown music that has influenced the music world so profoundly was conceived in the mind of James Brown. I can only take partial credit for what is, in reality, another man's thang.

I am very proud and grateful for the things that I have learned from my association with James Brown, George Clinton, Count Basie and the scores of other great artists and musicians with whom I have worked. This Web site is designed to emphasize MY MUSIC -- the music that is the culmination of the education I have received from my many and various associations. This site is to separate the pure FRED WESLEY sound from the many sounds that include the FRED WESLEY sound. Thank you in advance for your interest. I hope that you enjoy it.

line up:

Fred Wesley : Trombone & Vocals
Gary Winters : Trumpet
Ernie Fields Jr : Saxophone & Flute
Joel C Johnson : Guitar
Peter Madsen : Piano & Fender Rhodes
Mike Mondesir : Electric Bass
Bruce Cox : Drums

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