GENERATIONS - FRED WESLEY/TONY MATCH/LEONARDO CORRADI

Decades after his work with James Brown and George Clinton established him as one of the architects of funk, Fred Wesley has begun a new project that connects him to his jazz roots and to the future: Generations is an expandable trio featuring 70-year-old Wesley on trombone, 21-year-old Italian prodigy Leonardo Corradi on the organ and 42-year-old French drummer Tony Match. Three musicians who initially came together to pay tribute to the soulful jazz of legendary organist Jimmy Smith, they clicked and continue grooving together. Their show combines Wesley’s talents and experience working with artists from Count Basie and Ray Charles to Lenny Kravitz and D’Angelo, Corradi’s energetic reflection of Smith and other historic jazz giants, and Match’s jazz drumming colored by unique influences including African beats and electronic sounds.

 

Jimmy Smith has influenced a constellation of jazz organists, including Jimmy McGriff, Brother Jack McDuff, Richard “Groove” Holmes, Joey De Francesco and Larry Goldings, as well as rock keyboardists such as Jon Lord, Brian Auger and Keith Emerson. More recently, Smith influenced bands such as the Beastie Boys and Medeski, Martin & Wood.

 

For this tribute, the iconic Fred Wesley on Trombone, the godfather of soul jazz and funk history, long time musical director for James Brown will join this project!!!!!

 

On the organ a rising star Leonardo Corradi , 20 years old, he has already shared the stage with Antonio Sanchez, Dave Liebman, Rick Margitza just to name a few…voted best Hammond Player in 2010 by JAZZIT magazine (Italia).

This amazing player is surrounded by the great Tony Match on drums, Parisian drummer leading several bands including the legendary tenor sax Ernie Watts! As music producer he works with the cream of jazz and also shared the stage with Rick Margitza, Jean Marie Ecay, Flavio Boltro and co-composed song with Flora Purim just to name a few…

 

This tribute is the perfect immersion into the sound and vibes of the 60's through to the 70's with an all stars horns section!

 

FRED WESLEY

Born in Mobile Alabama, Fred Wesley began his professional career as a teenage trombonist with Ike and Tina Turner. He was music director, arranger, trombonist and a primary composer for James Brown from 1968-1975, then arranged and played for Parliament-Funkadelic and Bootsy’s Rubber Band.

He has played with and arranged for a wide variety of other artists including Ray Charles, Pancho Sanchez, New York Voices, Slide Hampton, Van Morrison, the SOS Band and Cameo, to name a few.

 

Scores of other artists including Janet Jackson and Nas have sampled his work. Since his stint with the Count Basie Orchestra, he has maintained a focus on jazz – playing, recording, writing and promoting it. His solo jazz recordings include “To Someone,” “Amalgamation,” “Comme Ci Comme Ca,” “Full Circle” and “Wuda Cuda Shuda.”