🎙️ What’s it like to write funk history alongside James Brown, George Clinton, and Count Basie? In this electrifying episode, Rob Cass sits down with the legendary Fred Wesley — trombonist, composer, and bandleader — whose horn helped shape the very sound of soul, funk, and jazz across generations. From sharing the stage with his father to jamming with Pee Wee Ellis and Maceo Parker, Fred tells it all with groove, grit, and a lot of heart. 🎺🔥

Fred walks us through his incredible journey: his first big break, his pivotal time in James Brown’s band (where he helped create iconic hits like Hot Pants and Mother Popcorn), and how he went on to reinvent funk with George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic. He talks candidly about being offered a seat in Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, his unforgettable work with Count Basie, and yes — even wild shows, career regrets, and writing his autobiography Hit Me, Fred. 📚✨

From leading The J.B.'s to teaching jazz at Berklee, Fred Wesley is a living piece of music history — and in this rare, unfiltered conversation, he brings you behind the curtain of a life spent making music with the greats. 🎶 Whether you're a funk lover or music nerd, this episode is a deep dive into the soul of the groove.