Fred Wesley

Fred Wesley (born 1943) is an American jazz and funk trombonist.

He was the son of a high school teacher and big band leader. During the 1960s and 1970s, he was a pivotal member of James Brown's bands, playing the tr

Fred Wesley (born 1943) is an American jazz and funk trombonist.

He was the son of a high school teacher and big band leader. During the 1960s and 1970s, he was a pivotal member of James Brown's bands, playing the trombone, serving at times as musical director. His slippery riffs and pungent, precise solos, contrasting with those of saxophonist Maceo Parker, gave James Brown's R&B, soul, and funk tunes their instrumental punch. He later left James Brown's band and spent several years playing with George Clinton's various Parliament/Funkadelic projects, even recording a couple of albums as a spin-off group, The Horny Horns.