10/24/2025
Fred Wesley is a legendary trombonist, arranger, and composer widely celebrated for his contributions to funk and jazz. While many of his greatest "hits" were collaborations, especially with James Brown and Parliament-Funkadelic, he also released several notable solo albums.
Hits with James Brown and the J.B.'s
As the musical director, arranger, and trombonist for James Brown from 1968 to 1975, Wesley was instrumental in shaping the language of funk. Some of his most important contributions were with Brown's backing band, The J.B.'s.
"Doing It to Death" (Fred Wesley & the J.B.'s, 1973): A number-one R&B hit, this is perhaps Wesley's most successful record as a credited artist.
"Pass the Peas" (The J.B.'s, 1972): A classic funk instrumental and a staple of the J.B.'s repertoire.
"Damn Right I Am Somebody" (Fred Wesley & the J.B.'s, 1974): The title track from the album of the same name is a classic J.B.'s funk tune.
"The Payback" (James Brown, 1973): Wesley helped compose and arrange this quintessential funk track for James Brown.
"House Party" (Fred Wesley & the J.B.'s, 1974): This upbeat funk track features prominent horn lines and a party vibe.
Hits with Parliament-Funkadelic
After his time with James Brown, Wesley joined George Clinton's P-Funk collective, leading the horn section known as The H***y Horns. His work was featured on many of the collective's seminal albums.
"A Blow for Me, a Toot to You" (Fred Wesley & the H***y Horns, 1977): An album and track that showcase Wesley's arrangements with the P-Funk horn section.
"Flash Light" (Parliament, 1977): Wesley contributed his signature horn arrangements to this funk masterpiece.
"Mothership Connection" (Parliament, 1975): Wesley's trombone work is prominently featured on this album, a cornerstone of P-Funk.
Other notable recordings
Wesley's impact extends far beyond his work with James Brown and Parliament. He has also released acclaimed solo albums and collaborated with numerous other artists.
"House Party" (Fred Wesley, 1980): A cult-favorite solo album that was heavily sampled in later years.
"Funk For Your Ass" (Fred Wesley, 2008): A later album that continued to showcase his jazz-funk style.
"I Am I Be" (De La Soul, 1993): Wesley was a guest artist on this classic hip-hop track, which also featured Maceo Parker and P*e Wee Ellis.
"With a Little Help from My Friends" (Fred Wesley, 2010): The title track from his solo album.
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