Thank you, Chicago; Berkeley: you're next!

Fred and the New JBs onstage at the Jay Pritzker Pavillion in Chicago's Millenneum Park, July 7, 2025.

Fred at 82.

It was a beautiful night under an almost full moon July 7 for the first gig of Fred's 83rd trip around the sun. He and his New JBs were honored to be a part of the 2025 Millenium Park Summer Music Series, in a lineup that also included Steel Pulse and Digable Planets. They treated the park full of fans to their signature funky good time, and are ready to do it again at The Freight in Berkeley, California, this Saturday.

Before reuniting with his cats in California, Fred will make a solo appearance at the International Trombone Festival, being hosted this year by Denis Jiron at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada. Livestream access is available for purchase.

Next up are two northeast dates with the BT-ALC Big Band, and a return home to Mobile, Alabama, where he'll be honored at the Gulf Coast Ethnic & Heritage Jazz Festival on July 26.