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Sonny Knight and The Lakers Team With Former JB’S Fred Wesley and Jabo Starks to Bring Sizzling Funk to the Dakota Jazz Club

No one deserves a musical tribute more than the Godfather of Soul himself, James Brown. When Sonny Knight and the Lakers join forces with two of Brown’s former backers from JB’s, trombonist Fred Wesley, and drummer Jabo Starks, we will most definitely need some air freshener handy at the Dakota Jazz Club because the funk will be flowing!

Both Wesley and Starks have copious amounts of contributions as players with an iconic queue of musical greats, but they will spotlight their work with Brown to make their shows with Knight and the Lakers the stuff that legendary performances are made of.

A funk master, Wesley transcends that genre, exemplified by his abundant jazz cred. He has been player or arranger for the Count Basie Orchestra, Lionel Hampton, and Randy Crawford among others. In addition to his stellar work with Brown, Wesley is also known for playing on some of the funkiest jams of all time during his days with Parliament Funkadelic. Stints with Maceo Parker, Lyn Collins, Bobby Byrd, and everyone’s favorite, The Horny Horns, are just a short list of the body of work and experience that are part of what’s in store for those of us lucky enough partake in this highly anticipated line up.

jaboPreceding work with Brown, Starks, who sites the church among his many musical influences, had a prolific run with Bobby “Blue” Bland, playing on several of his classics, including “Stormy Monday Blues” and “I Pity The Fool”. Following this superior career start, he began an eleven year run with the hardest working man in show business, during which he played along with Wesley on Brown’s masterpieces “Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud”, “Sex Machine” , “Get on The Good Foot”, and “The Payback” to name a few. This, followed by touring with blues legend B.B. King, comprises quite an impressive resume for a man who modestly insists that he not be referred to as a professional, but simply, “a fairly decent drummer”.

These shows will be talked about long after the last note has resonated into the rafters of the Dakota, which stands alone as savvy and cutting edge enough to showcase this ensemble. Do not be one to miss the Tribute to James Brown Featuring Sonny Knight and the Lakers with Fred Wesley and Jabo Starks on Sunday January 3rd, and Monday January 4th, at 7:00 and 9:00 PM, both nights.

For more information about Sonny Knight and the Lakers, be sure to check out Timothy Paul Smith’s December 9th posting, detailing their unique and amazing journey (http://www.dakotacooks.com/2015/12/sonny-knight-the-lakers/).

– Stacey Tyler | childofprince@yahoo.com | @childofprince

Dakota Jazz Club: Box Office 612-332-5299

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