Fred Wesley Generations

Trombonist Fred Wesley was the world's most famous sideman as musical director of James Brown's band the JB's in the 1960s and 1970s. He arranged Brown's biggest hits and co-wrote songs like Hot Pants and Doing it to Death (We're Gonna Have A Funky Good Time), establishing himself as one of the founders of funk music.

After leaving James Brown, Wesley played with The Count Basie Orchestra and George Clinton's Parliament-Funkadelic, and worked with Ray Charles, Lionel Hampton, Lenny Kravitz, Van Morrison, and De La Soul. He also contributed to D'Angelo's 2013 album.

At Paradox, Wesley performs with his organ trio Generations, alongside two of his protégés. The trio blends his jazz roots with his funk career: legendary soul-jazz Hammond organist Jimmy Smith is honored, and James Brown's greatest funk hits are featured.

Fred Wesley - trombone, vocals | Leonardo Corradi - Hammond | Tony Match - drums