Remembering a great legend and friend: Pee Wee Ellis

Alfred “Pee Wee” Ellis, the musical giant who was Fred’s brother. since 1968, passed away yesterday, Sept. 23, after suffering a heart attack. “He was a great friend and a great mentor, and he taught me a a lot,” Fred said in the midst of his initial shock and grief. “Most of who I am I learned from him.”

As bandleader for James Brown before Fred, Ellis is considered one of the architects of funk, having co-written and arranged for Brown the landmark recordings “Cold Sweat” and “Say It Loud-I’m Black and I’m Proud.” The Ellis and Wesley families remained close and shared much love and laughter over the decades, through separate careers that briefly — magically — re-converged in the powerhouse band with Maceo Parker called the JB Horns in the 1990s. Since then Fred and Pee Wee frequently collaborated and played together. A gig at London’s Ronnie Scott’s featuring Fred as a guest had been scheduled for this month.

Please enjoy these scenes from recent years.

Pee Wee and Fred, photographed in Germany in 2013 by longtime friend and fan Heinrich Buttler.

With BBC music personality Craig Charles in London in 2016.

A lazy afternoon in London.

With Maceo Parker and Christian McBride at Pee Wee’s induction into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame.

A lazier afternoon in upstate New York.

Gearing up for Europe, London, Montreaux and Brooklyn!

Fred heads to Germany this week to begin his next tour with his band The New JBs at the Sansoucci Jazznacht in Potsdam. The tour continues through

• the Jazz and Joy Festival in Worms, Germany; 
• a video Live Session at Little Big Beat Studio in Liechtenstein (click here for your video invitation);
• the Livry All Jazz'n'Blues Festival, June 23;
• the Festival Jazz à l'Evéché June 24;
• Under the Bridge in London, July 1;
• the Montreaux Jazz Festival, July 2;
• and culminates with the 46th annual International African Arts Festival in Brooklyn, New York, on his 74th birthday, July 4.

He'll follow that up with an immediate return to Europe for dates with The (original) JBs, featuring members from Fred's time with James Brown in the 1960s and 70s up until the Godfather's passing in 2006. Among them are singer (and author) Martha High, bassist Fred Thomas, trombonist and bandleader Tyrone Jefferson and "capeman" Danny Ray. Also along for the funky good time will be next generation vocalist and pianist Chris Rob.

Before he makes it home he'll do funk workshops in Nantes and Paris, France, a few Spanish dates with his Generations Trio, then guest at the Highline Ballroom in New York City with the James Brown Dance Party. (Click here for tickets.)

Enjoy these photos from Fred's last tour, which ended in May with a funk workshop in Paris and began with three US dates including hits at the March for Science on the National Mall in Washington, DC, and in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with the Ernie Fields All Stars.

Fred with the workshop participants.

Participants with the workshop organizer Djamila Alioua.

Fred visiting with his manager and the Little Big Beat crew in Konstanz, Germany.

With Willi Amrod, leader of the Amrod Brothers Band, recording in Konstanz.

Horns recording with New JBs trumpeter Gary Winters and the legendary Pee Wee Ellis.

With Martin Bohme, who repaired Fred's trombone outside Freiburg, Germany.

Four photos by Heinrich Buttler.
1. The Amrod Brothers Band horn section in Constance, Germany

 2. Pee Wee and Willi onstage

3.The awesome Amrod Brothers band in Freiburg.

4. rad guesting with the group in Constance.

A photo by Kristjan Czako from Berlin.

Two photos by Gerhard Csejka from Dresden, Germany.
1. The "Funk School Hymn"

2. Fred backstage admiring the opening band's orange shoes.

Celebrating New JBs bassist Dwayne Dolphin's birthday in Bologna, Italy.

Four photos by Daniele Franchi from Bologna.
1.Pianist Peter Madsen at soundcheck.

 2.Drummer Bruce Cox.

3. Guitarist Reggie Ward.

 4.Fred onstage with saxophonist Phillip Whack.

With the artist known as Vinx after a recording session with him near Limoux, France.

Fred sharing a silver shoe moment backstage with a volunteer at the Limoux Brass Festival. Also enjoy this video of a backstage interview at the festival.

Fred onstage with the Ernie Fields All-Stars at the Black Town Blues North Tulsa Jazz show.

After the Tulsa show with the evening's bassist Ricky Minor.

Redway today; Abu Dhabi in April!

The 39th Annual Summer Arts and Music Festival in the Benbow Lake State Recreation Area near Redway, CA, happens this weekend, and Fred will be there today as a guest of the band Motherlode.

In other news, the new Arts Center at New York University's Abu Dhabi campus has announced its 2015-2016 season, and Fred is in it. He is co-music director with Pee Wee Ellis of the project Funk: Evolution of a Revolution. The April 2016 event is the world premiere of the project, "an explosive multi-media show that tells the story of the evolution of music that changed the world, led by two of its most important architects."

Pee Wee and Fred in Koln, Germany, 2013. (Photo by Heinrich Buttler)

Heading to Cali; on Mixcloud, after Swinging in the Wind

Fred heads this week to Oakland, California, for a gig at Yoshi's Jazz Club with trumpeter Tom Browne. He's also celebrating an exciting new addition to his online discography; and reflecting on his time in Switzerland "Swinging in the Wind."

The Yoshi's date is the first in a series with Browne of "Funkin' for Jamaica" fame, including one at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theatre in Pittsburgh that also features "the Saxtress," Pamela Williams.

Meanwhile, the "Soul Preacher" Heinrich Buttler, Fred's longtime fan and friend who created and maintains the living document that is Fred's online discography, has added sound! The discography, which already contains a wealth of information and images, now includes three Mixcloud playlists reflecting Fred's contributions to recorded music over his career.

Click the links below to enjoy these three dramatically varied playlists, which reflect Fred's dramatically varied and extensive career. Thanks, Heinrich!

http://www.mixcloud.com/soulpreachernight/fred-wesley-contributions-part-1/

http://www.mixcloud.com/soulpreachernight/fred-wesley-contributions-part-2/

http://www.mixcloud.com/soulpreachernight/fred-wesley-contributions-part-3/

Finally, the week spent at the lovely Rive Sud Hotel in Estavayer-le-Lac, Switzerland, was restful and enjoyable, and culminated in a performance with the Jimmy Smith Celebration at the sixth edition of the Swing in the Wind Festival, where he got to commune with old and new friends including Susanne Alt and Agathe Iracema. He also got to make a little music on Radio Fribourg in a live jam with station manager Thierry Savary during an interview with Amaëlle O'Brien. Click here to listen to a podcast of the 30-minute interview.

Many thanks to all who made it such a great time, especially festival president (and trumpeter) Dominique Gutknecht, and hotel and restaurant proprietors Carole Gutknecht and Bertrand Chardonnens. Enjoy these photos.

Lake Neuchatel

Lake Neuchatel at sunset

A lovely Rive Sud meal

Fred with Carole Gutknecht

Fred, Dominique and an impromptu Rive Sud Jam Band

Tierry and Fred

Fred, Tierry and Amaelle in the studio

Fred, Tierry and Amaelle

Fred on piano at soundcheck, with Susanne Alt 

Agathe Jazz Quartet soundchecking

The Su'Sis onstage

Celebrating 70

The 4th of July was Fred's 70th birthday, and he sends a million thanks for all the wishes, love and various other gifts, including this spectacular one from discographer, photographer and Soul Preacher, Heinrich Buttler. Thanks, Heinrich!

Home safe and healthy after seven weeks

Angels and friends worked together to protect, strengthen and delight Fred as he finished his marathon seven weeks on the road with a Cologne, Germany, recording session for the forthcoming Christmas album by his friend and mentor Pee Wee Ellis, followed by a fast-paced 14-city European tour with his band, the New JBs. Many, many thanks to all involved.

Starting on April 18 with a return visit to Le Jam in sunny Montpellier, France, the New JBs tour wound through Castres, Seignosse, Paris, Massy, Guyancourt, Dunkerque, Belfort and Saareguemines, France, before moving through Copenhagen, Stockholm and Gothenberg, Sweden, then finishing up with dates in Zurich, Switzerland and Schweinfurt, Germany. Phew!

Among the highest of many highlights were a sold-out Monday night at the New Morning on a lovely April day in Paris; a gig-plus-birthday-party for saxophonist Phillip Whack at the beautiful beachfront Salle des Bourdaines on France's south Atlantic coast; the chance to reunite with Juan Rozoff, his B-Fam and the Horn Dogz, who opened the show in the Parisian suburb of Guyancourt; and a second encounter with Pee Wee when he and Fred both were special guests with the Lorraine Jazz Big Band at a Rotary International event in Saarguemines.

Also warranting special mention were the packed houses that greeted the band in Scandinavia, marking Fred's and the band's first time there in some 20 years. Workshops with students in Montpellier and Castres also added to the fun.

Among the angels and friends who made it such an amazing tour were many photographers who shared the best of the photos below. Special thanks to Heinrich Buttler, Danielle Schoenfeld and Gilles Calao.

Enjoy.

Le Jam, Montpellier, France

Masterclass at Le Jam.

Concert at Le Jam

Lo Bolegason, Castres, France

Castres Masterclass

Castres Masterclass jamming.

Fred with Masterclass participants

Downtown Castres, France

Salle des Bourdaines, Seignosse, France

Soundcheck

Bruce and Gary on the beach.

Bruce on the beach.

Fred with opening artist Nina Attal and band members.

Birthday boy Phillip with venue hosts Robin and Laurence (Photo by Gilles Calao)

Fred with Robin and Laurence

The whole crew (Photo by Gilles Calao)

New Morning, Paris

TV crew interviews Fred for a documentary on "Soul Train"

Onstage

Paul B Centre Culturel, Massy, France

Onstage

La Batterie, Guyancourt, France

Fred with two young fans after the show.

Les 4 Ecluses, Dunkerque, France

Souvenir poster with band autographs.

La Poudriere, Belfort, France

The monumental Lion of Belfort by Frederic Bartholdi, sculptor of the Statue of Liberty.

Soundcheck

L'Hotel de Ville, Saarguemines, France

Pee Wee and Fred onstage with the Big Band (Photo by Heinrich Buttler)

(Photo by Heinrich Buttler)

Onstage, too (Photo by Heinrich Buttler)

Fred blows (Photo by Heinrich Buttler)

Pee Wee and Fred laugh (Photo by Heinrich Buttler)

Fred with conductor Christian Meyer, and event organizer Alain Heid in background.

Fred with the band's impressive bass trombonist

Fred with saxophonist and arranger Franck Ansalone

Pumpehuset, Copenhagen, Denmark

Fred sings (Photo by Danielle Schoenfeld)

Phillip blows (Photo by Danielle Schoenfeld)

Bruce beats (Photo by Danielle Schoenfeld)

Singing the "Funk School Hymn" (Photo by Danielle Schoenfeld)

Fun onstage (Photo by Danielle Schoenfeld)

Gary, pensive, offstage (Photo by Danielle Schoenfeld)

Fred with saxophonist Bobby Ricketts, his wife and a transplanted San Francisco trombonist

Fasching, Stockholm, Sweden 

Sofia White interviewed the band and wrote this article and took these photos. Thanks, Sofia!

Nefertiti, Gothenberg, Sweden

Axel Olsson, an award-winning entertainer himself and part of the Ultimate Bboys crew, served as the band's host at the Nefertiti Jazzclub and led the team that went above and beyond to make it a great night.

 

Club Escherwyss, Zurich, Switzerland

Soundcheck

Onstage

Stattbahnhof, Schweinfurt, Germany

The last night of the tour featured another birthday celebration -- an early one marking the 50th of bassist Dwayne Dolphin, the youngest official member of the band, who's been part of it for more than half his life. Thanks to promoter Mark Klein for making the birthday party, and the great concert, happen.
 

Last soundcheck

One of Dwayne's two cakes

Fire, laughs, champagne and snapshots

Fred with Dwayne