SoulMusicNews.com: Horn-driven soul, funk & jazz.

Fred Ross is not a late bloomer. He simply took out time in his life to raise his beautiful daughter, Tara.

In the last dozen years or so, Fred has been on fire. He released his first CD, Dignity, on Strokeland Records. More recently, Doc Kupka paired him up with the Strokeland Superband for The Law: According to Fred Ross.

But right now, Fred is tearing it up, all over the world as front man for Pee Wee Ellis‘ African Tribute To James Brown - Still Black & Still Proud. They met about eight years ago, when he received a call to record a gospel standard, I Depend On You, in the studio with Pee Wee.

That single track on Pee Wee’s CD, Ridin’ Mighty High, led Ellis to ask Fred to front a 2001 U.S. Tour, that also featured James Brown alumnus, Fred Wesley. The tour resulting in live CD, Pee Wee Ellis: Live & Funky, with Fred Wesley & Fred Ross. This time around, Pee Wee, again, has both Freds anchoring his JB Tribute.

This YouTube video is from one of the European stops on the tour. The audio is just OK, but it will give you a sense Fred’s 4-octave range and incredible stage presence.

It also carries a comment from their recent U.S stop in New York City: “Fred Ross was awesome at the 8/22/08 performance of the “Still Black & Still Proud” Tour with Pee Wee and Fred. Almost like JB was in the house! Lincoln Center NYC rocked out!”

Fred Ross is, The Cornerstone of Soul.

Andy Ebon
CEO of Soul

Technorati Tags: Dignity, Fred Ross, Fred Wesley, Pee Wee Ellis, Stil Black & Still Proud, Strokeland Records, The Law According To Fred Ross

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to the RSS feed!

Saturday, August 16th was night #2 of the grand experiment: Late night at the Bootlegger, Las Vegas with Herman Matthews & Friends (’The Tom Jones Band, without Tom’).

Let’s just say I arrived, with Jessica, 5 minutes to show time (after watching Olympic swimming), and there was barely a seat available in the main room. Within minutes, it was standing-room-only.

The room was rockin’ for two solid sets. During the second set, Herman announced that the band had been invited back during their next visit to Las Vegas. That will be the first two Saturday nights in November, the 1st and 8th.

Herman Matthews & some of his friends: Photo by Bobby Gladd

Kenny Anderson - photo by Bobby Gladd

Make your plans now, to be in Las Vegas, in November!

Andy Ebon
CEO of Soul

Technorati Tags: Andy Ebon, Bootlegger, CEO of Soul, Herman Matthews, Jessica Marciel, Kenny Anderson, Las Vegas, Tom Jones

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to the RSS feed!

From the Northwest United States, a region long known for producing energetic and fresh musical talent, blazes the Emerald City’s latest sensation, Seattle’s own DoctorfunK.

DoctorfunK was established in 1995 and has set the standard for new soul music in the Pacific Northwest. Echoing the legendary passion of famed horn band, Tower of Power and that “East Bay Soul Sound,” this 10-piece ensemble has maintained that tradition and more.

“Prescription for Soul” contains sophisticated arrangements hand led by a seasoned, tight, five-piece horn section, with powerful vocals and an extremely well “greased” rhythm section. All combine to deliver the deepest of grooves and smoothest of ballads.

DoctorfunK deserves a listen and a place in your CD collections of the finest in soul and funk music.

This CD is an amalgam of original compositions, cover tunes, studio recordings and live performances. It features the Tower of Power tribute song, ‘Livin in Bump City’ and the previously unreleased Kupka-Castillo-Holt composition, ‘Step Up To The Plate.’

Add to that, musical appearances by Mic Gillette and Jeff Tamelier, plus guest vocals by Fred Ross, and this CD is the complete package.

If you haven’t heard it by this point, you’re overdue. You can preview all the tracks and buy the disc at CD Baby. >>

Andy Ebon
CEO of Soul

Technorati Tags: CEO of Soul, Doc Kupka, Doctor Funk, DoctorfunK, Dr. Funk, Fred Ross, Glenn Walters, Jeff Tamelier, Mic Gillette, Tower of Power

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to the RSS feed!

Fred Ross and his band, The Fred Ross Project, have been performing at Harry Denton’s Starlight Room since 1996. During that time Fred has had a lot of success.

He released his first solo CD, Dignity, on Doc Kupka’s Strokeland Records. He toured with James Brown horn alumni, Pee Wee Ellis and Fred Wesley, recording a live-CD with the Rock’n'Roll Hall Fame duo. As well, Fred contributed vocals to the track, I Depend On You, on a studio recording, Ridin’ Mighty High, by Pee Wee.

Beginning in 2003, Fred became the front man for FamilyStoneXperience, A tribute to the music of Sly & The Family Stone. Several months ago, the band promoted him to Musical Director.

Fred recorded a second CD, on Strokeland Records, “The Law According to Fred Ross” and sang the title track, “Bumped up to First Class“ for the most recent Strokeland Superband CD.

This year, Fred will be reprising some tour dates with Pee Wee Ellis and Fred Wesley, leading the FamilyStoneXperience, AND anchoring Harry Denton’s Starlight Room with the Fred Ross Project.

Last night, Harry Denton personally took the time to honor Fred’s musical leadership at rooftop lounge, atop San Francisco’s Sir Francis Drake Hotel. Harry made a presentation to Fred, in front of a SRO house, in appreciation of Fred’s contribution to the musical identity of the Starlight Room over the past dozen years.

Paraphrasing Fred, “There may be another nightclub or venue that has done this, but I’ve not seen it before. I very much appreciate receiving such special recognition from Harry Denton and the entire staff, for doing what I do.”

Fred is a master talent. I call him “The Cornerstone of Soul.” If you’re late in discovering him, just know that it’s not too late. Get on board.

Andy Ebon
CEO of Soul

Technorati Tags: Bumped up To First Class, Dignity, Doc Kupka, FamilyStoneExperience, Fred Ross, Fred Ross Project, Fred Wesley, Harry Denton's Starlight Room, James Brown, Pee Wee Ellis, San Francisco, Sir Francis Drake, Sly & The Family Stone, Strokeland Records, The Law According To Fred Ross

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to the RSS feed!

Fans of Tower of Power alumni, Greg Adams and Lenny Williams, are now counting down the days to the first concert of East Bay Soul, April 27th in Las Vegas, NV.

In that vein, we direct you to yet another article profiling Greg, Lenny, and the entire East Bay Soul band.

The article: ‘Two Soul Brothers Form East Bay Soul‘ is written by Joe Montague, and appears online at JazzReview.com.

Andy Ebon
CEO of Soul

Technorati Tags: East Bay Soul, greg adams, JazzReview.com, Joe Montague, Las Vegas, lenny williams, Toewr of Power

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to the RSS feed!