Welcome to the show notes for Episode #51 of the Trombone Corner podcast. This episode features trombonist, band leader and recording artist Fred Wesley.

He’s one of the trailblazers of funk, the man who helped define the sound of James Brown, Parliament and Funkadelic, working with Maceo Parker and Bootsy Collins, amongst so many more.

But he didn’t set out to be known as “Funky Fred.” In fact, the funk came to him very much by accident. Jazz was his first love: JJ Johnson, Kai Winding, Carl Fontana, Miles Davis – Fred knew every note Kind of Blue.

Fred Wesley joins Noah and John to talk about his path from a musically rich childhood in Mobile, Alabama to becoming one of the defining trombone voices in funk and jazz. We learn about the early gigs that shaped him, the demands of touring with Ike & Tina Turner, James Brown and George Clinton, and how he later returned to jazz and big band work.

Along the way, Fred learned tons of practical advice that he shares with younger players: learn your instrument, learn the business, and show up prepared.

Fred continues to record and tour, including shows this fall in Europe and Australia, and he shares the recent work with his Fred Wesley Generations Trio featuring Leonardo Corradi and Tony Match. Truly an inspiration to generations of musicians, and a man who put the trombone on the map!