Fred Wesley "Funky President Celebration Tour" To Launch New U.S. Releases
Legendary Funk Genius To Release James Brown Tribute and Reissue 1980 LP

PHILADELPHIA, PA, March 06, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Legendary funk trombonist Fred Wesley - who James Brown called on for years to take him to the bridge - will launch two new CD releases with the first U.S. leg of his "Funky President Celebration Tour," beginning Friday, April 3, 2009, with two nights at Warmdaddy's in Philadelphia.

"The Funky President Celebration Tour" began Jan. 30 - a week after the historic inauguration of President Barack Obama - at London's Jazz Cafe. Since then, Wesley and his band, 'The New JBs', have moved and grooved packed clubs from Paris to Tel Aviv, mixing jazz with his classic funk hits with James Brown, the JBs, and, the Horny Horns, such as "Pass the Peas," "Doing it to Death (Funky Good Time)" and "Four Play."

The tour's U.S. premiere coincides with the release by Major Hana Records of "Let it Flow," a tribute to the Godfather of Soul featuring special guests including Bootsy Collins and Chuck D, and a reissue of Wesley's 1980 album "House Party," whose title track is a signature tune and crowd favorite around the world.

Educated funk music fans know that Wesley, as Brown's music director from the late 60's through the mid 70's, produced many of Brown's best records, wrote many of his best songs and horn arrangements, and recorded some of the era's funkiest hits as leader of Fred Wesley and the JBs.

Wesley left Brown to join forces with George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell, and a cast of other characters as the key arranger for Bootsy's Rubber Band and Parliament Funkedelic, helping take funk to the next level with classic hits and albums such as "Stretching Out" and "Mothership Connection."

Beyond funk, Wesley also is an accomplished jazzman whose career spans 50 years and includes a stint with The Count Basie Orchestra. His recordings as a jazz player and composer include "To Someone," "Amalgamation," "New Friends" and "Full Circle."

The entirety of his career, which includes playing with artists ranging from Ike and Tina Turner, to Ray Charles, to Usher, is s a treasure trove of stories, some of which fill the pages of his hilarious, critically acclaimed memoir "Hit Me, Fred: Recollections of a Side Man," published by Duke University Press in 2002 and available on Amazon.com.

In addition to touring with his own band, Wesley also shares his wealth of musical knowledge and experiences through liner notes, articles and interviews, and by leading music clinics with young musicians in settings including classrooms, band rooms and recital halls at colleges, universities, high schools, and other institutions worldwide.

Wesley recently contributed jazz and funk songs to the independent feature film, "Major Hana," due out later this year. In "Major Hana," Wesley also steps out as an actor, providing a poignant portrayal of a London Underground street musician.

April marks a new beginning for increasing U.S. performances by Fred Wesley & The New JBs, whose touring activity has been concentrated in Europe and Japan in recent years. Hot off a European run that included stops in Switzerland, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands, the band is bringing its guaranteed "funky good time" dance party to the Northeast and Midwest in April. West Coast dates will roll out in May, with future dates scheduled in Colorado, Europe and Australia.

The new record, "Let It Flow - Fred Wesley's Tribute To James Brown", will be available in early April at MajorHana.com. "Let It Flow," produced by Wesley, features Brown remakes including the first single, "Out of Sight," as well as "Livin' In America," "I Got The Feelin','" "Sex Machine," and the title track, featuring the late, great Bobby Byrd. In addition to Bootsy and Chuck D, the album features James Brown drummers Jabo Starks and Clyde Stubblefield, and members of the New JBs.

Major Hana Records will also re-release Wesley's infamous 1980 album, "House Party." This album was originally a promo-only item from Curtom Records back in 1980, although the 12" of the title track enjoyed wide popularity back then. The LP was released in 1993 on the Back Black label. A fun and funky dance record from beginning to end, the original album is a collector's item that also features the crowd favorite "Bop to the Boogie" and others with Wesley on lead vocals as well as trombone.

"Let It Flow," "House Party," and Wesley's jazz record, "To Someone" all will be available on CD and MP3's at MajorHana.com.

Listen for the first single off of "Let It Flow - Fred Wesley's Tribute To James Brown", "Out Of Sight", features Bootsy Collins and Djizzle. "Out Of Sight" was a James Brown hit single 45 years ago, in 1964, making it to number 24 on the Pop charts.

Fred Wesley & The New JBs "Funky President Celebration Tour"

April 3 Philadelphia, PA Warmdaddy's
April 4 Philadelphia, PA Warmdaddy's
April 5 Floyd, VA Sun Music Hall
April 8 TBA
April 7 Syracuse, NY Wescott Theater
April 8 Hartford, CT The Warehouse
April 9 Somerville, MA Johnny D's
April 10 Portland, ME The Asylum
April 11 New York City, NY Sullivan Hall
April 12 Annapolis, MD Rams Head Tavern
April 13 TBA
April 14 Kent, OH Kent State University
April 15 Chicago, IL The Abbey
April 16 TBA
April 17 Minneapolis, MN B-Side Jazz Fest, Trocaderos
April 18 TBA

For Interviews and Press Inquiries:

Major Hana Records
Jonathan Block
808-248-7549
majorhana@aol.com
or
Joya Wesley
336-543-7125
joyawesley@aol.com

For booking inquiries in the Eastern and Pacific Time Zones:
Gabe Johnson 541-550-7260
gabe@inthepocketartists.com
or
For booking inquiries in the Central and Mountain Time Zones:
Hunt Frye
541-306-6429
hunt@inthepocketartists.com

For booking inquiries in Europe:
Benjamin Levy 0033(6)71448680 (Skype: 0870407650)
blmusique@gmail.com

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Press Release Contact Information:

Peter Monroe
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