Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Where's Fred? Set to hit NYC for the Blue Note Jazz Festival

Tickets are on sale now for the Blue Note Jazz Festival's double bill at Sony Hall on June 21 of Fred and his New JBs and the Brecker Brothers Band Reunion. Click here to find out more. 

Fred is a longtime friend and admirer of trumpeter Randy Brecker and his late brother Michael Brecker, both of whom contributed performances to many of the James Brown hits that Fred produced in the 1970s.


Last week found Fred in Charlotte, North Carolina, where his educator and musician friend Ivan Hall treated his high school students to a Black History Month performance featuring Fred and fellow trombonist and former JB bandleader Tyrone Jefferson's Charlotte-based band, A Sign of The Times.

Fred with Ivan Hall and vocalist Toni Tupponce of A Sign of the Times.

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Where's Fred? Home ready to tour his Generations Trio

Fred's first gigs of the year were a great success, proving with Big Chief Donald Harrison that he's still got it, and with the Louisville Orchestra that he also has the skills to write for the symphony.

Looking forward, 2024 is shaping up to be another busy year. After a guest appearance in North Carolina for Black History Month, and a university masterclass in Hartford, Connecticut, he'll be back on tour in Europe starting March 28, this time with his Generations Trio, featuring Leonardo Corradi on organ and Tony Match on drums. (See the calendar for dates and get your tickets now.)

Harrison invited Fred to be part of his Music Omniverse event at New York City's Town Hall on Jan. 11. Click here to read a review of the epic show. 

The Louisville Orchestra, at the suggestion of guest soloist David Krakauer, invited Fred to take part in it's "Together in Song" program, which celebrated musical connections linking classical, klezmer, gospel and funk music. Fred wrote the arrangement for a piece he performs with the group Abraham Incorporated, which he fronts with Krakauer and Canadian musical phenom Josh "Socalled" Dolgin, who also appeared on the program.

After a Saturday evening performance at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, the orchestra and guests took a slightly abbreviated version to St. Stephen Baptist Church. The church choir was a powerful part of the show both nights.

Thank you to fellow guest DJ Logic for these photos from the NYC rehearsal, and please enjoy these family photos from Louisville.


Fred greeting Donald Harrison at the rehearsal.

Fred with Donald, his rhythm section and fellow guests DJ Logic and Mike Clark.

Fred and Socalled selfie-ing at the rehearsal.

Louisville conductor Teddy Abrams with Fred, David Krakauer and guest vocalist Anthony Russell.