(Featured photo of is trombone player Fred Wesley)
James Brown was born May 3, but the celebration is set for Saturday, May 6.
The James Brown Birthday Get Down is a free musical bash marking what would’ve been the Godfather of Soul’s 90th birthday and will be from 3 to 11 p.m. on the grounds of the Augusta Museum of History.
“We have a really good line up,” said Coco Rubio, who is once again organizing an event in honor of the Hardest Working Man in Show Business. “It’s one of the best because each one has the spirit of Mr. Brown.”
Fred Wesley and the New JB’s, the JAMP Band and Funk You are confirmed for the bash, and Rubio said there could be a surprise or two thrown in.
Trombonist Wesley played with Brown’s band in the 1960s and 1970s. He later was part of Parliament Funkadelic, also known as P Funk, and formed the New JB’s in 1996.
“We’re excited to get him,” said Rubio.
The JAMP Band from the James Brown Academy of Musik Pupils will also bring a James Brown-inspired sound to the stage.
The “James Brown Academy of Musik Pupils is a musical village which offers students an exciting and unique opportunity to learn the history of James Brown, participate in music programs, network with children from around the world, attend educational workshops, field trips, receive key information from guest speakers in the music industry. Students are taught music theory, to read music, write their own songs and play a musical instrument,” according to the James Brown Family Foundation website.
Inspired by the funky soul sound of Brown and founded in Augusta is the band Funk You that will also take the stage.
DJs will also spin some tunes.
In addition to the music, there will be food trucks, beer and concessions, art installations and children’s activities.
Admission Is free.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the publisher of Augusta Good News. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
Support local journalism: Local stories on local people, organizations and events. That’s the focus of Augusta Good News. And you don’t have to go through a paywall to find these stories. Augusta Good News is not funded by a billionaire or a large corporation; it doesn’t have star reporters who have agents like a recent national newscaster who found out he was fired through his agent. It’s local women and men who are invested in the community and want to tell its stories. You can support local journalism and help us expand our coverage by becoming a supporter. Through Ko-Fi, you can give once or set up a monthly gift. Click here to learn more. Thank you!
