This time not Fred Wesley again but Chuck Brown, the "Godfather of Go-go"(1936-2012). "Go-go is a subgenre of funk music developed in and around Washington, D.C. in the mid and late 1970s. While its musical classification, influences, and origins are debated, Brown is regarded as the fundamental force behind the creation of go-go music."
He had a very rough early life, growing up in poverty and being sentenced for murder, once being incarcarated, trading cigarettes for a guitar if we can believe the stories.
"When Brown completed his sentence, he moved back to Washington, DC and worked as a truck driver, a bricklayer, and a sparring partner at multiple boxing gyms. He also started to perform at parties throughout the area; however, he could not play at venues that served liquor, because his parole officer would not allow it", Wikipedia continues. So, there he was, in 1963, 27 years old...
Unfortunately I never saw Chuck Brown live, but here's a one hour live concert from 2009 in Washington DC (I recognize a.o. Little Benny on trumpet, Greg Boyer on trombone and Cherie Mitchell-Agurs on keys). The visuals are a but shakey (gets better after a while) but it gives a good impression of Go-go music culture.
This is a tune called Kalunga Dance, from my latest album Dark Horse, order it here or buy it at a concert, the next one is Brebl, Nijmegen 1 day after my birthday on 16th of April! Hope to see you there!In this performance, we featured percussionist/vocalist and world citizen Helene Jank. She lived and worked in Brazil for quite a while and I really think it's audible here. I love the way she and the band creates this moment of space within the concert and this is also why - I think - visiting concerts is important because then you get to experience the whole context of the concert. How is the program build up, how does the audience respond and what does music makes you feel. More info:Susanne Alt: sax, Matthijs Geerts and Ike van Bergen: keys, Thomas Pol: bass, Yoràn Vroom: drums, Helene Jank: percussion Performed at 16th of January 2026 at Bimhuis, Amsterdam, Recorded by Onno Prillwitz Filmed by Robert Glass and Albert Nooij. - This time not Fred Wesley again but Chuck Brown, the Godfather of Go-go(1936-2012). Go-go is a subgenre of funk music developed in and around Washington, D.C. in the mid and late 1970s. While its musical classification, influences, and origins are debated, Brown is regarded as the fundamental force behind the creation of go-go music.He had a very rough early life, growing up in poverty and being sentenced for murder, once being incarcarated, trading cigarettes for a guitar if we can believe the stories. When Brown completed his sentence, he moved back to Washington, DC and worked as a truck driver, a bricklayer, and a sparring partner at multiple boxing gyms. He also started to perform at parties throughout the area; however, he could not play at venues that served liquor, because his parole officer would not allow it, Wikipedia continues. So, there he was, in 1963, 27 years old... Unfortunately I never saw Chuck Brown live, but here's a one hour live concert from 2009 in Washington DC (I recognize a.o. Little Benny on trumpet, Greg Boyer on trombone and Cherie Mitchell-Agurs on keys). The visuals are a but shakey (gets better after a while) but it gives a good impression of Go-go music culture.
