Homebase presents:
Fred Wesley and the New J.B.'s

The foundations of hip-hop are deeply rooted in the 1960s. James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, and his band the J.B.’s were the founders of funk, a genre that would later branch out into hip hop. And Brown would be nothing without the “most famous sideman in the world”: Fred Wesley. It is an honor for Homebase to bring the source of endless hip hop inspiration to Simplon.

Fred Wesley’s impressive career started at a young age. He started his musical journey as a trombonist for notable names like Ike and Tina Turner. Subsequently, he collaborated with George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic and Bootsy’s Rubber Band of Bootsy Collins, among others. He has done session work for Earth, Wind and Fire, Barry White, The Gap Band, Red Hot Chili Peppers and countless other artists.

Wesley is nothing short of a funk legend, with over 1500 tracks, albums and EPs to his name. With contributions to groundbreaking hits such as “Big Payback” (Brown & The J.B.’s), “P-Funk” (Parliament) and “Stretching Out” (Bootsy), he is also one of the most sampled musicians in the world. In the hip hop world, his samples have even become essential.

Yet nothing has meant more to music than his role in James Brown’s legendary band: The J.B.’s. As conductor, arranger, and primary composer Wesley ensured The J.B.’s gained a well-deserved reputation as the tightest, best-practiced instrumental ensemble in all of funk. The group has collaborated with the likes of Bobby Byrd, Lynn Colins and more names associated with James Brown, producing quite the number of records under various names such as The James Brown Soul Train, Fred Wesley and the J.B.’s, Maceo and the Macs, A.A.B.B. and Fred Wesley and the New J.B.’s.

Wesley has been touring the world with the New J.B.’s for years, but it is rare that he performs in Groningen. It will be a show not to be missed, for any music lover!