Fred Wesley Generations

Fred Wesley, the legendary architect of funk, comes to JazzAscona

Making his debut at JazzAscona, Fred Wesley, born in 1943 in Georgia, is one of the most influential trombonists in funk history and a prominent figure in jazz as well. Raised on gospel and rhythm & blues, he became famous as musical director, arranger, and trombonist for James Brown, playing a decisive role in the birth of modern funk. He later collaborated with George Clinton in Parliament‑Funkadelic and with the Horny Horns, leaving a profound mark with his mix of funk, psychedelia, soul, rock, and experimentation. Versatile and tireless, he has also performed with the Count Basie Orchestra and artists such as Maceo Parker, Bootsy Collins, and Toots Thielemans. His music combines an irresistible groove, jazz roots, and a unique sense of rhythm. Today, he continues to perform and lead new projects, including The New Generation. At Ascona, he will be joined by Leonardo Corradi on Hammond and Tony Match on drums.