Saturday, March 23, 2013

Off and touring down under

Mad love to the good people at The Powerstation in Auckland, New Zealand, for getting the latest New JBs tour off to such a great start. The tour also will include stops at the West Coast Blues n Roots Festival in Perth, the Corner Hotel in Melbourne, the Upstairs Beresford in Sydney and the prestigious Byron Bay Bluesfest, which also will include such huge artists as Paul Simon and Santana. Thanks to Niche Productions for making it all happen.

Here are some photos from New Zealand.

Dwayne, Peter, Ernie, Bruce, Fred, Reggie and Gary
The New JBs with our driver/guide Brendan Hendry.
The New JBs at One Tree Hill, from the U2 song.
Onstage at the Powerstation.
Signing at the Powerstation.
Before leaving the States, Fred performed for the reunion banquet for the graduating class of 1969 from what was then called Manning Training School, in his adopted hometown of Manning, South Carolina. Here he is with friends Bea Simon, and State Senator Kevin Johnson and his wife Gloria.


Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Hitting the Motherlode in California

Fred made the long trip from his home in South Carolina to lovely Arcata, California, on the Redwood Coast in Humboldt County, where he conduced a Friday-afternoon master class with music students at Humboldt State University and played a hot Saturday-night gig as the special guest of the funk band Motherlode. Thanks to the band and all the other beautiful people who made the weekend so enjoyable, including trombonist and Humboldt State faculty member Dan Aldag.

Here are some photos. Enjoy.

A University-provided rhythm section including Motherlode guitarist/composer Greg Camphuis and bassist Michael Dieter play a few tunes with Fred
Fred shares
Students listen
A brave and talented singer steps up and joins in
Camel Rock
Fred sightsees at Luffenholtz Beach
Soundchecking with Motherlode
A warm welcome to the stage
The welcome continues
Playing with Motherlode
Backstage talking with baritone saxophonist Jesse Jonathan
The morning-after airport farewell with drummer and lead host Pete Ciotti, who started it all with an email.



Fred funks up hot new track

Fred is a featured guest along with Trinidad-born poet/novelist and musician Anthony Joseph on "Run Around" from the new album "Isle of Magic" by Mop Mop. Fred recorded his part of the album -- released this month by Agogo Records on CD and vinyl -- during a New JBs tour of Europe in June 2011. Click here to check out the video.

Fred with his personal vinyl copy of "Isle of Magic."

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Enjoying a little humor

Here's a laugh courtesy of new funky friend Juan Spearman of Jam City Comics, who created this comic observance of the 40th anniversary of "The Payback's" recording. Thanks, Juan!