Fred Wesley: Trombone Funk and a Legendary Career. Ep. 51

This episode of The Trombone Corner, featuring trombonist, band leader and recording artist Fred Wesley, is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass and The Brass Ark. The Trombone Corner is now on video! You can watch this episode on our YouTube channel here: "Fred Wesley: Trombone Funk and a Legendary Career" And, find the expanded show notes, transcript and more photos here --- He's one of the trailblazers of funk, the man who helped define the sound of James Brown, Parliament and Funkadelic, working with Maceo Parker and Bootsy Collins, amongst so many more. But he didn't set out to be known as "Funky Fred." In fact, the funk came to him very much by accident. Jazz was his first love: JJ Johnson, Kai Winding, Carl Fontana, Miles Davis - Fred knew every note Kind of Blue. Fred Wesley joins Noah and John to talk about his path from a musically rich childhood in Mobile, Alabama to becoming one of the defining trombone voices in funk and jazz. We learn about the early gigs that shaped him, the demands of touring with Ike & Tina Turner, James Brown and George Clinton, and how he later returned to jazz and big band work. Along the way, Fred learned tons of practical advice that he shares with younger players: learn your instrument, learn the business, and show up prepared. Fred continues to record and tour, including shows this fall in Europe and Australia, and he shares the recent work with his Fred Wesley Generations Trio featuring Leonardo Corradi and Tony Match. Truly an inspiration to generations of musicians, and a man who put the trombone on the map! About Fred Wesley:  Fred Wesley is one of the defining voices of funk trombone. As a key member, arranger and musical director for James Brown and the JBs, his playing helped shape some of the most important records in funk  history. Fred later joined George Clinton's Parliament Funkadelic, and also  brought his sound into jazz with the Count Basie Orchestra.   Over a career spanning more than six decades, Fred has performed and recorded with artists including Ray  Charles, Maceo Parker, Bootsy Collins, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Van Morrison.  He has also continued exploring jazz through projects like the Generations Trio, alongside Leonardo Corradi and Tony Match. Today, Fred continues to perform, record, and tour, carrying  forward one of the most influential trombone voices in modern music. Episode Links: https://www.funkyfredwesley.com/ with tour dates Generations Trio https://www.funkyfredwesley.com/generationstrio The Fred Wesley Quartet, To Someone KNKX Public Radio Studio Session, great set! Bob Reeves Brass Events and Appearances: Virtuosity Music, October 9-10, Boston, MA Signup link NCMEA Conference, November 8-9, Winston-Salem, NC Greg Black Mouthpieces, November 10, Mount Holly, NC Podcast Credits: Theme Music: The Trombone Choir Arrangements of Jay Friedman, Vol. 1 Audio Engineer – Ted Cragg Cover Photo Credit – Henirch Buttler Blog Photo Credits - Dino Perrucci, Ingrid Devlaming, Marcos Hermes, Stevens Drean, Jan Van Hecke Podcast Hosts – Noah Gladstone & John Snell

This episode of The Trombone Corner, featuring British trombonist, composer and arranger Callum Au, is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass and The Brass Ark. The Trombone Corner is now on video! You can watch this episode on our YouTube channel here: "Callum Au: Unlock a Career on Your Own Terms" And, find the expanded show notes, transcript and more photos here --- It was an accident of school band placement that has led to a brilliant musical career, and brought Callum Au to our stages and speakers. Because he could reach the sixth position when other kids couldn't, Callum's music teacher suggested the trombone, and the rest is history. The National Youth Jazz Orchestra gave Callum a practical education in arranging, writing around 120 charts, hearing them played immediately, and learning what worked in real time. Callum credits much of his growth not just to formal lessons, but to sitting next to experienced players like Jon Stokes and Andy Flaxman and learning from their sound, phrasing, etiquette, and professionalism. Indeed, you'll never guess what he studied for his university degree! Today, Callum is a leader and inspiration himself, collaborating with international artists on Grammy-winning albums, and writing and recording his own material, including the stunning new release, Sing Seven Seas. Our conversation today also unlocks the secret of arranging and transcribing: the surest path to a sustainable, successful and influential career. And check out the latest episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpeter James Davison, a frequent collaborator with Callum Au. About Callum Au: Callum Au is a British composer, arranger, orchestrator, and trombonist. He writes music across a wide range of genres, with a particular passion for big band and large jazz ensemble music. He is highly regarded for his stylistic awareness and versatility,  and has worked with some of the world's biggest artists. Over the past fifteen years, Callum has established himself as one of the busiest arrangers in the world. He has had the privilege of writing music for many international artists including Quincy Jones, Jamie Cullum and RAYE, and ensembles including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the WDR Funkhaus Orchestra, and the Danish Radio Big Band. In 2021 he arranged two songs for Michael Bublé's Grammy winning album 'Higher'. More recently, he contributed four arrangements to Dua Lipa's 'Live from the Royal Albert Hall' and wrote the vast majority of the critically acclaimed 2024 BBC Concert Orchestra Disco Prom. Callum is also active as a composer, with his flair for arresting melodies and lush complex harmony proving popular with audiences and musicians alike. Recent commissions include works for Inner City Brass, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and Bone a-fide Trombone Quartet, and groups as diverse as the BBC Concert Orchestra and the SWR Big Band have performed his original music. Callum's latest release is Sing Seven Seas, a product of an audacious seven‑day recording marathon, where Callum united more than eighty extraordinary artists to create a vibrant double album. The album was released on June 1st, 2026, and showcases four years of original writing crafted specifically for these musicians and the remarkable things they can do, capturing the energy, colour, and imagination that define Callum's musical world. Episode Links: https://callumaumusic.com/ Sing Seven Seas, the album: https://callumaumusic.com/s7s/  Swipe Right! from Sing Seven Seas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZycetABQze0  YouTube @callumaumusic Instagram @callumau Facebook @callumaumusic Bob Reeves Brass Events and Appearances: Joy Brass, September 17-24, Tokyo Japan http://joybrass.com email to sign up: [email protected] Virtuosity Music, October 9-10, Boston, MA Greg Black Mouthpieces, November 6-7, Mount Holly, NC NCMEA Conference, November 8-9, Winston-Salem, NC Podcast Credits: Theme Music: The Trombone Choir Arrangements of Jay Friedman, Vol. 1 Audio Engineer – Ted Cragg Photo Credits – Kenny McCracken Podcast Hosts – Noah Gladstone & John Snell  

The Trombone Corner Podcast is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass and The Brass Ark.  Join hosts Noah and John as they interview Raymond Mason.   About Raymond: At 35, Raymond James Mason has rapidly carved out a place as a sought-after studio musician and one of the leading trombonists in the high-demand world of pop music horn section work. From Taylor Swift to Ed Sheeran, Alicia Keys to Bruno Mars, Erykah Badu to Kelly Clarkson, Ray has performed alongside an eclectic roster of superstars across generations. His expansive career bridges genres, with notable collaborations including Don Henley, The Roots, Randy Newman, David Byrne, Jessie J, and many more. Ray's presence on Live TV is equally impressive. He was a key player in the 2020 Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show with Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, and performed with Eminem at the Academy Awards that same year. Other notable TV appearances include Saturday Night Live with Bruno Mars, The GRAMMY Awards with Nas, and the CMA Awards with Earth, Wind & Fire and Lady A. A seasoned touring artist, Ray has lent his trombone and multi-instrumental skills to acclaimed acts such as Bon Iver, Mumford & Sons, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Mark Ronson, FELA! The Musical, Lukas Graham, GRiZ, Valerie June, Bright Eyes, and Broken Social Scene, among others. As a studio trombonist, Ray's horn section work is featured on global hits like "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars. His credits also include records by Mac Miller, Lizzo, The Roots, Macklemore, Norah Jones, Little Big Town, and more. He's contributed to projects on renowned labels like Daptone, Truth & Soul, and Big Crown, including Charles Bradley's "Change For The World," Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings' "Soul of a Woman," and Lee Fields & The Expressions' "It Rains Love." Ray's arranging skills have found their place with top producers including Dan Auerbach, Mark Ronson, Adam Blackstone, Diplo, El Michels Affair, and Danger Mouse. He's written for artists like Ed Sheeran, Lee Fields, Beck, Kelis, and Yola. In the world of soundtracks, Ray's work appears in major releases like the Amazon Prime Sports Theme, The Boys Season 3, The Get Down on Netflix, and upcoming projects for Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, and AppleTV+. His music also resonates in ads for global brands such as Nike, Facebook, Taco Bell, and Garnier, alongside shows like Marvel's Captain America on Disney+, Suits on USA, Made For Love on HBO Max, and the theme for Barry on HBO. As a member of the Brooklyn afrobeat collective Antibalas, Ray earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Global Music Album in 2020. His work with Antibalas has taken him to festivals around the world, where he's shared the stage with artists like My Morning Jacket, Brittany Howard, The Roots, Dr. John, Angelique Kidjo, and even Bill Withers in his final Carnegie Hall performance. Ray's musical foundation was built at NYU, where he studied under some of the most respected trombonists of our time: Tom Hutchinson, Mark Patterson, Robin Eubanks, Alan Ferber, and Elliot Mason. His mentorships with SNL Bandleader Lenny Pickett, GRAMMY-winning composer Brian Lynch, and Director of NYU Jazz Dave Pietro deepened his approach to the wide-ranging musical landscape of the 21st century. A native New Yorker, Ray spent over a decade honing his craft in NYC, followed by five years in Nashville, and now lives in Los Angeles with his wife.

The Trombone Corner Podcast is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass and The Brass Ark.  Join hosts Noah and John as they interview Harry Ries and Markus Leuchter.   About Harry: Harry Ries is a Dutch trombonist and early music specialist, born in 1947 in Kerkrade, Netherlands. After completing his studies in The Hague, he built a distinguished orchestral career, serving as principal trombonist with both the Limburg Symphony Orchestra in Maastricht and later the Gürzenich Orchestra in Cologne. In 1978, he was appointed principal trombonist of the West German Radio Symphony Orchestra in Cologne, a position that further established his reputation as a leading orchestral musician. Alongside his orchestral work, Ries became deeply involved in historically informed performance, collaborating with many of Europe's most prominent early music ensembles. His credits include performances with groups such as Hesperion XXI, the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, La Petite Bande, and Concerto Palatino, working with leading figures in the early music movement. In addition to his performing career, he has been an influential educator, teaching trombone and chamber music at the conservatories of Maastricht and Aachen. Over time, his artistic focus increasingly shifted toward early brass instruments, particularly the sackbut, contributing to the revival and evolution of historical trombone performance practice.   About Markus: Markus Leuchter is a German trombone maker specializing in both historical brass instruments and modern trombones. His workshop is located in Herzogenrath, near Aachen, Germany. Markus apprenticed with the renowned trombone builder Heribert Glassl in Nauheim, and has collaborated with trombonists Harry Ries, Christoph Schwarz, and Noah Gladstone on a variety of models and instrument designs. He is particularly well known for his alto, bass, and contrabass trombones, as well as his work in historical brass. He maintains a small workshop near his home, where he handcrafts each instrument from start to finish. His instruments are used by professional performers in early music as well as players in leading radio and symphony orchestras across Europe.  

The Trombone Corner Podcast is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass and The Brass Ark.  Join hosts Noah and John as they interview John Engelkes, long-time bass trombonist with the San Francisco Symphony.   About John: John Engelkes was appointed Bass Trombonist with the San Francisco Symphony in 1981. He held this position for 39 years until his retirement. Prior to his time with San Francisco he was Bass Trombonist with the Florida Symphony in Orlando, the Baltimore Symphony, and briefly The Minnesota Orchestra. A native of Iowa, he graduated from the University of Northern Iowa where he studied with Jon Hansen. He also studied with John Hill at the University of Iowa. John pursued a Masters Degree at Northwestern University where he studied with Frank Crisafulli. While at Northwestern he also studied with Edward Kleinhammer and Arnold Jacobs. John has taught Bass Trombone at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music since 1983. He also teaches many private students as well. John has played and taught at numerous festivals including, Aspen Music Festival, Saito Kinen in Matsumoto, Sun Valley and the Grand Teton Festival. John has also performed with many notable artists throughout his career including Nelson Riddle, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme, Buddy Rich and many more. John Resides in Mill Valley California with his wife Myra. He continues to teach at the SFCM and also maintains a private studio. John enjoys golf, cooking and travel in his spare time.

The Trombone Corner Podcast is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass and The Brass Ark.  Join hosts Noah and John as they interview Tiziano Mazzoleni, solo trombone artist from Italy, living in Germany.  U.S. listeners can see his tour dates in the US here.     About Tiziano: Tiziano excels as a virtuoso of the tenor trombone, whose career spans from classical music to film and video game scores. He studied primarily in Italy and Germany, under the guidance of respected mentors such as Gianluca Scipioni, Matthias Gromer, Ulrich Flad, and Martin Schippers. Active also in chamber music, he has collaborated with various ensembles across Europe. His solo career has led him to perform with prestigious orchestras such as the Philharmonie Südwestfalen and with renowned conductors. He was also an Associate Member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. His orchestral experience has brought him to work with world-renowned conductors such as Johan De Meij, Markus Stenz, and Duncan Ward, and to perform with distinguished orchestras like the Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale dei Conservatori Italiani, the Miami Music Festival Orchestra, the Moritzburg Festival Orchestra as well as several other international orchestras. Tiziano has played in numerous high-profile recordings. Among these, the world premiere of the Cello Concerto by Enrique Casals with SONY Classical stands out, as well as the album Saint-Saëns: Cello Concerto, Baccanale & Symphony No.1 with Alpha Classics. His studio career also includes his contribution to the soundtrack of the popular video game Joe Dever's Lone Wolf, which has passed the 2.5 million downloads. In addition to these recordings, Tiziano has played with internationally renowned artists such as Hans Zimmer on the European tour "Hans Zimmer Live" and alongside musicians like Alligatoah and Moein. His collaborations span from orchestral music to pop music, from film scores to video games, demonstrating his ability to adapt to various musical genres. Beyond his concert and recording career, Tiziano is constantly involved in new musical projects. He recently released a video clip featuring the first-ever recording of an original sonata for solo trombone, which was appreciated by both audiences and critics. In addition to this, he is working on new ideas for unpublished pieces and innovative projects, always striving to push the traditional boundaries of the trombone. His creations explore new sound possibilities, ranging from contemporary music to the exploration of new musical languages. Tiziano is also a languages enthusiast, speaking Italian, English, German, and Spanish fluently, with a growing interest in Japanese. In addition to these linguistic skills, he is a virtuoso on the tenor trombone, playing an Antoine Courtois Creation 421 New York model, an instrument that allows him to explore a wide range of musical expressions.

The Trombone Corner Podcast is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass and The Brass Ark.  Join hosts Noah and John as they interview Larry Zalkind, former principal trombone of the Utah Symphony, as well as current professor of trombone at Eastman School of Music. About Larry: Larry Zalkind's illustrious career as a trombonist began with a twist of fate: reaching the instrument line in elementary school after all the trumpets were taken. Encouraged by his teacher that he "looked like a trombone player," he set off on a path that would lead him to the University of Southern California and the University of Michigan. Under the mentorship of legends like Tommy Johnson and Robert Marsteller, Larry quickly rose to prominence, winning the audition for Principal Trombonist of the Utah Symphony while still a doctoral student—a position he held with distinction for 34 years. Beyond his long tenure in Utah, Larry's orchestral reach is vast. He has performed as Acting Associate Principal Trombone with the Los Angeles Philharmonic during Gustavo Dudamel's inaugural season and has recorded or performed with the Chicago, Atlanta, St. Louis, and Seattle Symphonies. A longtime member of the Summit Brass and a veteran of the Grand Teton Music Festival, his versatility also extends to the euphonium and solo performances with prestigious ensembles ranging from the U.S. Army Band to the Eastman Wind Ensemble. Today, Larry serves as the Trombone Professor at the renowned Eastman School of Music. He is a deeply committed educator who has held faculty positions at several colleges and mentored students at festivals across the globe. As a Yamaha Artist, his influence even extends to the instruments themselves; he was a key figure in the design and production of the Yamaha 882OR large-bore tenor and alto trombone models that he plays today. Outside of his professional life, Larry shares his musical passion with his family. He is married to violist Roberta Zalkind, whom he met as a student at the Music Academy of the West, and two of their three children have followed in their footsteps by pursuing careers in music. With three solo albums on the Summit Records label—including his latest crossover collaboration, Lost in the Stars—Larry continues to be a defining voice in the world of brass.

This episode of the Trombone Corner Podcast is brought to you by The Colburn LA Brass Institute.  Join hosts Noah and John as they interview Sasha Romero, principal trombone of the MET in New York. About Sasha: Sasha Romero was appointed principal trombone of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in 2018. Prior to her appointment at The MET, she held the position of principal trombone with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra from 2016-2018. Hailing from Longview, Texas, Sasha grew up within the acclaimed and robust Texas band system and achieved great musical success at a young age. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Music degree at Baylor University, where she studied with Brent Phillips; and her Master of Music degree at Rice University, studying with Allen Barnhill. In addition to a lengthy list of national and international solo and chamber music competition wins to her name, Sasha is honored to have been a semi-finalist in the first Brass Division of the 2019 XVI International Tchaikovsky Competition in St. Petersburg, Russia. Sasha is a passionate educator, and currently serves on the trombone faculties at Rutgers University, Mannes School of Music, and Bard College Conservatory of Music. A highly sought-after teacher, soloist, and clinician, she has presented solo recitals and masterclasses at numerous colleges, universities, music conservatories, and industry conventions across the United States. When she is not at The MET, teaching, or screaming into the night at the shortcomings of NYC's public transportation system (looking at you, weekend subway service), Sasha is occasionally invited to perform as a guest trombonist with the world's major orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, Dallas Symphony, Houston Symphony, and others. She can be heard on Weezer's OK Human album, as well as the film soundtracks to The Good Liar (2019) and Joker (2019). Sasha currently makes her home in New York City, where she spends an embarrassing amount of time catering to the demands of her absurdly adorable cats and searching endlessly for decent Mexican food. Sasha Romero is an S.E. Shires Performing Artist and she has a signature mouthpiece line with Long Island Brass Co.

The Trombone Corner – 2025 Holiday Episode Cohosts Noah Gladstone and John Snell post up by the fireplace with eggnog and a tradition that's equal parts heartfelt and mechanically questionable: Noah lights his custom Trombonorah—a menorah built from a trombone bell, with a few trumpet valves thrown in for reasons that will make sense to exactly no one. From there, it's a holiday-themed conversation that bounces between trombone life, seasonal rituals, gear talk, and the usual detours you'd expect when brass players are left unsupervised. And yes, we brought in reinforcements: Jay Friedman (retired Principal Trombone of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra) and jazz great Michael Dease join the festivities, adding equal parts wisdom, stories, and top-tier trombone perspective.

The Trombone Corner Podcast is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass and The Brass Ark.  Join hosts Noah and John as they interview Steve Suminski, Los Angeles and Bay Area studio musician and freelancer. About Steve: Steven Suminski is an active freelance and studio trombonist in the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay Areas. He currently serves as Guest Principal Trombone with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and holds posts as Principal Trombone with Symphony San Jose, Opera Santa Barbara and the Riverside County Philharmonic. Steven has appeared with many premier ensembles in the area, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Opera, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Santa Barbara Symphony, Long Beach Symphony and Los Angeles Master Chorale.  As a studio musician he has recorded for film and television projects working with composers such as John Williams, Christophe Beck, Michael Giacchino, James Newton Howard, Ludwig Göransson and countless others. Passionate about chamber music and performing new works, he is a member of the acclaimed Modern Brass Quintet and is a founding member of the award winning group Brass Pacifica, currently working for the educational division of the Music Center of Los Angeles. Steven began playing trombone at the age of nine, eventually moving to Los Angeles to study music performance at the University of Southern California. Currently he lives in the Los Angeles area and maintains an active teaching studio at Riverside City College.