The Original JB's performing standards of the Master of Soul

THE JB'S

The Original James Brown Orchestra bringing standards of the Master of Soul

NOW BOOKING SHOWS FOR THE SUMMER - OCTOBER & NOVEMBER

There was a time...

James Brown, The Godfather of Soul, introduced the world to a new language...the language of funk. James Brown’s sound transcended all barriers: music, race, religion, politics and cultures. The music of James Brown has endured throughout the decades. His music is enjoyed by billions of people around the globe. And always, there is and was the band. And now, they’re back!

The Hardest Working Band in Show Business – The JB’s – are “Doin’ The James Brown!” Starring internationally-renowned musicians who’ve performed with James Brown over the past 50 years, The JB’s are bringing to the stage that unique musical language that The Godfather gave to the world!

From “The Capeman,” Danny Ray (if health permits!), who has served as Mr. Brown’s emcee since 1960, to bassist Fred Thomas, with The JB’s since 1971!

The JB's asked the one and only Funkiest trombone player Fred Wesley (not in core line up) to be part of this reunion project & finally a singer who has his own way, Chris Rob . The JB’s are ready to make the world funky again!

The JB’s also offer an educational component to any appearance...visiting and working with young musicians to pass on this historic legacy.

The JB’s Doin’ The James Brown are the perfect act for any type of festival/venue /event looking to have their audiences Get On The Good Foot!

MEMBERS OF THE JB'S & History with James BrownTyrone Jefferson: (30 years), MD/ Trombone Mr. Jefferson joined the James Brown Elite Family of Funk in 1979. In addition to writing and arranging music for the Godfather of Soul, he was one of six composers from around the world commissioned in 1983 by the Minister of Culture in Basse Terre, Guadeloupe to compose original music for World Peace. Bass Guitar – Fred Thomas (38 years) Mr. Thomas joined the James Brown Elite Family of Funk in 1971 and was a member of the original JB’s band. He is currently setting up a tour of School and Colleges for clinics with their music departments – sharing how James Brown put it all together and how he made it work. Vocals – Cynthia Moore (18 years) Ms. Moore joined the James Brown Elite Family of Funk in 1991. A native from Buffalo NY, who eventually became the lead vocalist. Ms. Moore shared the spotlight with Mr. Brown on several songs. 
Guitar – Keith Jenkins (15 years) Mr. Jenkins joined the James Brown Elite Family of Funk in 1994. He performed with James Brown at many notable events such as the Woodstock 99 Festival and Mr. Brown’s final appearance at the Apollo Theater. Percussion – George “Spike” Nealy (19 years) Mr. Nealy joined the James Brown Elite Family of Funk in 1990 and was featured in the movie “Drum Line”. He currently teaches in the Music Department at South Carolina State University and has also performed with the SOS band, Keith Sweat and Xscape just to name a few.
Trumpet – Joe Collier (30 years) Mr. Collier joined the James Brown Elite Family of Funk in 1980 and has also performed with ‘Clarence Carter, Albert Collins, Aretha Franklin, and Joe Cocker. His TV and movies credits include Rocky IV and Mama Flora’s Family featuring Cicely Tyson and the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.Saxophone – Jeff Watkins (15 years) Mr. Watkins joined the James Brown Elite Family of Funk in 1994 and has also performed with many other soul legends. Jeff is currently a member of the Joss Stone Band and is touring the world with her. He resides in New Orleans and enjoys recording & producing as well as playing sax & keys

Saxophone Alto – “Funky” Leroy Harper Jr. (15 years) Mr Harper "Funky" joined the Elite Family of Funk in 1991 and has also performed with a number of artists and bands such as Stevie Wonder, , James Levi (Herbie Hancock-Headhunters), Sylk (Founder), Soul Power Posse (Founder, and many others. He has made guest appearances in several Tv-shows : Late night with David Letterman, Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, James Brown live at the House Of Blues, Woodstock 99 just to name a few. Musical Director/ Trumpet – Hollie Farris (31 years) Mr. Farris joined the James Brown Elite Family of Funk when James Brown heard Mr. Farris playing with a popular Nashville show band and hired him on the spot in 1975. Mr. Farris became lead trumpet, section leader, arranger and later music director. Mr. Farris has also toured with Steve Winwood, The Commitments, and for the last five years, Joss Stone, the British soul-singing sensation. 

Drums – “Moussey” Thompson (13 years) Robert “Mousey” Thompson, who  performed with James Brown from 1993 until his passing in 2006. Thompson has also performed with other renowned musical performers including Wilson Pickett, Lloyd Price, Rufus Thomas and Peaches & Herb.  Moussey has also completed a number of collaborations ranging from Bootsy Collins to Jab’o Starks and Clyde Stubblefield
Drums – Tony Cook (30 years) Mr. Cook from Augusta Georgia joined Elite Family of Funk in February 1976 as a member of The JB’s. He is one of the most sampled musicians of all time! In 1984, Tony’s New York Production,” On the Floor – Rock It” was released and charted in the US and UK and is referred to as the Grand Daddy of all House Records. Mr. Cook worked with Etta James, Latimore, Z.Z Hill, Billy Ocean, Robert Palmer, Little Milton, and many others and has been featured in several magazine such as Billboard, Echoes, Rhythm, Blues & Soul and We Go Funk. He played on many James Brown’s recordings such as Jam 1980’s, Mutha’s Nature, Love Over-Due and many more.  
Vocals – Chris Rob True music lovers always search for the connections between the new and the old, the fresh and the classic. Sometimes they’re fortunate enough to find both in one artist. For Chris Rob, the classically trained pianist featured on Kanye West’s ‘Can’t Tell Me Nothin’, crossing genres is natural. “All music is connected in some way, so if its from the heart, the audience can feel it, there really isn’t that much discrimination,” says Chris. His twist of hip hop, house, and cool funk can be witnessed firsthand on the recently released “Everything’s Beautiful”, the Robert Glasper executive produced Miles Davis remix album. The final track, “Right On Brotha” featuring Stevie Wonder, was co written and produced by Chris with the industry heavyweight DJ Spinna. “Working with Stevie has been a tremendous blessing for me,” says Chris. 
MC / “Cape Man” – Danny Ray (49 years) Mr. Ray joined the James Brown Elite Family of Funk in 1960. Born in Birmingham, Ala. Mr. Ray is best known as the Master of Ceremonies for the James Brown shows and for draping the star-studded capes over the Godfather of Soul at the close of a concert.  Important note: Danny Ray will only join the band if health permits him to travel!
  
Special guest upon request 
 
 

The J.B.'s (Rifflandia, Victoria BC, September 15)
By Alan Ranta
Published Sep 16, 2018

The J.B.'s were touted as the original James Brown band, but that's not technically true. Brown formed the collective in the aftermath of his first band's disillusion over monetary issues, his first house band (separate from the Famous Flames) having been around since the late '50s. The J.B.'s were actually Brown's band from 1970 until early '80s, a distinction muddied by their consistent covering of Brown's material from the mid-'60s such as "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," "I Got You (I Feel Good)," and "Cold Sweat," songs with which no one in the band was originally involved. This didn't seem entirely necessary considering the depth of the catalogue Brown produced in the '70s, as well as a half-dozen or so albums the J.B.'s put out under their own name, which were also produced by Brown.

That said, other than nerds like myself, those anachronisms likely didn't enter anyone's mind. People came for the funk, the whole funk, and nothing but the funk, and that's precisely what they received. Each member of the eight-piece band has decades of experience under their belts, and they all had a chance to shine.

The longest-running J.B.'s member, stretching back to 1971, Fred Thomas put on a bass clinic for "Make It Funky." Tyrone Jefferson laid down the most impressive trombone solos I've ever seen, while Jeff Watkins peppered the show with scintillating saxophone, his finger work so furious it's a good thing he came to Victoria after the campfire ban was lifted or he might have torched Vancouver Island.

They were joined by a couple of worthy vocalists too. On her rendition of "It's a Man's Man's Man's World," band regular Cynthia Moore challenged the soulfulness of the original recording. Afterwards, Martha High made her presence known, taking the lead on "Cold Sweat" and "Payback," noting that it was her voice kicking off the original recording, though they tweaked it to the "Big Payback" version she released in 2007. To see the fabulously appointed brass section do some synchronized martial arts moves for the "I don't know karate, but I know ka-razor" part of that track was a memory maker. Both of the singers came back to send the show home on "I Got You (I Feel Good)" and a brisk take on "Get Up Offa That Thing."

A few months before this show, the J.B.'s self-released a new album, some 12 years in the making, so this wasn't just a legacy tour, but the hits, from whatever era they were recorded, were what really stuck the landing. The sheer number of enthusiastically dancing white people at the stage was impressive, and well-deserved. While their latest works may not have quite the same punch as the stuff they made with the Godfather of Soul back in the day, the J.B.'s can still kick it live as good as anyone.