Where is Fred?: 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!

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.