Bring a blanket and get lost in the music select Tuesdays in July and August.
Boardwalk Blues, in partnership with Jazz Foundation of America, brings together blues and roots musicians from around the region to perform on Hudson River Park’s Pier 97.
About the Artists
Fred Thomas occupies a very special niche in the history R&B. As James Brown’s principal bassist since 1971 (the “Make if Funky” era), he participated in one of the most prolific periods in the Godfather of Soul’s incredible career–as a member of Brown’s band, the J.B.’s. Fred can be heard on hits such as: “Hot Pants”, “Papa Don’t Take No Mess,” “Make it Funky,” “Get on the Good Foot,” “Doing it to Death,” “I’m a Greedy Man,” “I Got Ants in My Pants,” “There it Is,” “Stoned to the Bone,” and instrumental classics like “Pass the Peas” and “Gimme Some More.” His lines heard on songs like Bobby Byrd’s “I Know You Got Soul” and Lyn Collin’s “Think” have been sampled numerous times. He’s on the seminal “Live at the Apollo Vol. 3: Revolution of the Mind” and can be seen in the “Soul Power” (2008) documentary of James Brown’s 1974 concert in Zaire, and in many James Brown “Soul Train” appearances. His first three singles as a solo artist were released in Spring 2024 under Curtis E Records, titled “Living in New York City” followed by “Nothing’s Gonna Change (My Love for You)” and “For a Lick and a Promise”. In his band, Fred Thomas is front and center singing, playing bass and tearing into a mix of blues and soul classics and the JB hits he recorded on.
Boardwalk Blues is presented in partnership with Jazz Foundation of America. Don’t miss the Second Stage at Blues BBQ Festival on August 15 to see more brilliant blues programmed by JFA.
Stay tuned for more information about this year’s lineup of performers!
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6:30 PM