The Pace Report: "Funk Summit" The Leo Nocentelli Interview with Fred Wesley & Bernie Worrell

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• published: 28 Mar 2011
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Last week at The Iridium Jazz Club in New York City, three funk legends graced the stage to proclaim that the music isn't on it's deathbed. Leo Nocentelli, founder of The Meters, the New Orleans based group, who's hits include "Cissy Strut," "Sophisticated Cissy," and "Look Ka Py Py," was at his best. His Meters Experience is a unit of musicians that keeps the legacy of The Meters alive, a group he founded during the mid-1960's. The original Meters consisted of Art Neville(keyboards), George Porter, Jr.(bass/vocals), Zigaboo Modeliste(drums), and Leo Nocentelli(guitar). The group was part of singer/songwriter/producer Allen Toussaint's house band for his record label and other outside productions. As part of the fuse of the great New Orleans music, The Meters recorded with the likes of Paul McCartney, Robert Palmer, LaBelle, and Lee Dorsey. Music critics and historians have hailed these guys as one of the architects of funk music. Leo's vision of the show is to bring his friends Fred Wesley of The JB's and James Brown along with Bernie Worrell of Parliament/Funkadelic on selected dates. He also invites other artists to join him as well. Not only does Leo play The Meters music, but he shares the bandstand with these legends playing their hits. The show is far from those oldies but goodie shows you see on PBS or on those weeklong specialty music cruises. Leo's band features Bill Dickens on bass, Adrian Harpham on drums, and introducing Steve Perrilloux on vocals. Trombonist Fred Wesley's musical legacy includes playing with the Count Basie Orchestra and the Ike and Tina Turner Revue, He was arranger for Funkadelic and Bootsy' Rubber Band. But it was Fred's stint with James Brown and groups like The JB's and the Horny Horns that catapulted talents as Brown's music director and arranger from 1968 to 1975. Keyboardist and composer Bernie Worrell has been a trailblazer in music for over 40 years. As a founding member of Parliament/Funkadelic, Worrell created the group's signature keyboard sound influenced many musicians all over the world. Musicians ranging from Thomas Dolby, Mos Def(Black Rock Johnson), Jack Bruce, David Byrne, J-Dilla, and The Soulaquarians. Many hip-hop producers have sampled Worrell's keyboard riffs like "Flash Light," "Aqua Boogie," and "Mothership Connection(Star Child)." The Meters Experience is a show I highly recommend. For all the fluff that's out there in music, just these three guys alone is time well spent. Leo, Fred, and Bernie know how to entertain and perform to their fans. At a time when radio and many club venues aren't booking real funk and soul shows, The Meters Experience is a breath of fresh air. For upcoming tour dates visit Leo on the web at www.nocentelli.com. You can also check out Fred and Bernie on the web as well at www.funkyfredwesley.com and www.bernieworrell.com.