On the road again ...

Fred and the New JBs started their November 2012 tour of Europe in Siegen, Germany, on Saturday night, with a tight performance that foreshadows an excellent time traveling through France and into Switzerland and Italy.

In the audience Saturday were young trombonist Thomas Wiggins and his parents. Thomas, a huge fan of New Orleans and New Orleans jazz, sent Fred an email after his idol Trombone Shorty said he had to check him out. After finding out the band would be in Siegen, he and his folks made plans to be there. Thomas, 9, also sent the photo below and these links of himself: click here and here. Enjoy.

Thomas Wiggins with Fred backstage in Siegen.

Thomas playing with street musicians in New Orleans, where he's getting his parents to take him again, soon.

Also, thanks to Chicago promoter Al Kennedy, as well as videographer  Devin Washington and photographers Debra Meeks and FreDrena Brown, for these additional remembrances of the celebration October 27 for legendary DJ Herb Kent, which featured the New JBs along with The Emotions, The Dramatics and more.

Click here for video of the New JBs performance, and here, here, here, here and here for more video from the huge party. Click here and here for some still photos.