Monday, August 26, 2013

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 ChardonnensEnjoy 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

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

At a Swiss lake after a joyful tour's end

Trombone tones are echoing off the cobblestones in Estavayer-le-Lac, Switzerland, as Fred practices to keep his chops up during some off-time between festivals. Sunday's performance with his New JBs at the Jazz and Joy Festival in Worms, Germany, marked the end of the band's summer 2013 European tour. On Friday, he'll once again celebrate Jimmy Smith at the Swing in the Wind Street Jazz Festival in this beautiful Swiss village on Lake Neuchâtel.

The last days of the New JBs tour included a stay in happening Toulouse, France, for the nearby Jazz in Marciac Festival; a stop in Freiburg, Germany, for a hot night at the Jazzhaus Freiburg; and the joyful and jazzy grand finale in historic Worms. Many thanks to the band and all the friends who made the tour such a pleasure. Enjoy these photos.

Marciac soundcheck
Marciac interview
Backstage at Marciac with New JBs saxman Ernie Fields Jr.

Onstage in Frieburg.
A little Rhine wine in the cathedral space turned green room at the Jazz and Joy Fest

Onstage at Jazz and Joy
"...and let's hear it for the funkiest trombone player in the universe..."
Jazz and Joy encore

Thursday, August 8, 2013

A lovely week in the UK, and on to France

Fred finished great gigs in the UK, covering Edinburgh, Manchester, London, Cheltenham and Bristol, and also spent some days recording a new collection of backing tracks that will also become tutorials for Pro Music Tutor.com. Special thanks to saxophonist James Morton, with help from his girlfriend and singer Celestine Walcott Gordon, for playing host and special guest.

The period also gave him a chance in Edinburgh to meet young Resse Steele, whose parents play the JBs and James Brown for him every day and whose first attempts to speak involved repeating the phrase "boom boom bah" every morning. His parents finally figured out he was asking to hear "The Big Payback."

The band also celebrated the 79th birthday of its saxman Ernie Fields Jr. in London, and Fred got to visit with his former mentor and buddy Pee Wee Ellis.

Next stop: France for the Jazz in Marciac Festival, then on to Germany for Saturday night at the Jazzhaus Freiburg and the Jazz and Joy Festival in Worms.

Special thanks to Roger Thomas and Ben Edward for sharing their photos below.

Tia Fuller and Fred
Miriam, Fred, Resse and Andrew

Happy Birthday to Ernie in London
Onstage at Pizza Express Jazz Club in London (photo by Roger Thomas)
Onstage at Pizza Express Jazz Club in London (photo by Roger Thomas)
Keith, James, Bruce, Fred, Justin, Reggie, Peter and Dwayne after recording

Onstage with James Morton in Cheltenham 
Peter Madsen onstage in Bristol (Photo by Ben Edwards)
Bruce Cox onstage in Bristol (Photo by Ben Edwards)
Celestine Walcott Gordon, Pee Wee Ellis, James Morton and Fred