Fred is now heading back to Europe to reunite with his collaborators in the Klezmer, funk, hip hop band
Abraham Incorporated.
The trip comes just days after finishing a great tour with his New JBs in Zurich at the jazz club
Moods, but he managed to fit two amazing special appearances into the short gap.
Friday, Sept. 30, found him having a mind-blowing experience at
Soundcheck Studios in Pembroke, Mass., with the
BT ALC Big Band, a funky unit co-founded by trombonist Brian Thomas and trumpeter Alex Lee-Clark, who met in music school and bonded over a shared love for Fred and his music. Fred had a blast playing with the group's talented musicians, who this night included Ryan Zoidis of funk band
Lettuce, with whom Fred has played many times.
It was a beautiful night with a great crowd in a great venue. 'When I heard my 'Damn Right' solo being played by the whole trombone section, in harmony, I was blown away," Fred said. Thank you Brian and Alex, and photographers Ken Spielman and Max Cross for the awesome photos below.
Sunday, Oct. 1, after a quick swing through old stomping grounds in Charleston and Manning, South Carolina, found Fred at the
ColaJazzFest in state capital Columbia, where he shared magical musical moments with fellow trombonists Mitch Butler and the one and only Wycliffe Gordon, and got to meet legendary saxophonist and South Carolina native Houston Person, who shared the bill. Thank you to trumpeter/organizer Mark Rapp and the whole organization. Enjoy the family photos from below and stay tuned for more.
From Boston:
Fred with Alex Lee-Clark and Brian Thomas.

Fred and Houston Person

Wycliff, Mitch and Fred reviving the choreography for "Pass the Peas."
From Zurich, photo by Max Speidel.