Fred Wesley is an American jazz and funk trombonist who served as band leader and musical director for James Brown’s band, the JBs, back in the 1970s, composing and arranging for the group, as well as playing – he was effectively James Brown’s right hand man. He has had a musical career that spans over 35 years and played for the likes of George Clinton and Ray Charles.

Without a doubt he has been one of the most influential sidemen in jazz and funk over the past few decades. Therefore, it was with great anticipation that I ambled down to the Jazz Café to see the man in action, performing with the new JBs,

Wesley and his cats fully engaged the crowd, with a musical menagerie of classics such as Pass the Peas’, ‘Breaking Bread’, ‘House Party’, ‘Funky Good Time’ etc. Even though each band member played with skill and energy the floor belonged to Wesley, who proved once again that a trombone not only has the ability to sound funky, but low down dirty funky, when handled by the right man! He always started off with a tantalising slow rhythmic groove, before incorporating interlocking notes at an increasing pace and finally reaching a crescendo. It was a delight to hear.

After several encores and as the band left the floor, positive funked up feel-lingered in their wake. The crowd recognised and appreciating that they had witnessed a dying breed of musicians who played music from the heart but for the feet. A music stripped bare devoid of the digital hoodwinking that passes for so much of black music today. They had witnessed a true music legend only one step removed from the Godfather in the sky himself.

Fred Wesley played Jazz Café
Friday & Saturday 31 January 2009

Value for money: 8/10
Ratings: 9/10