A Tribute to James Brown featuring Bootsy Collins

Minnesota Zoo Weesner Amphitheater

Mention Bootsy Collins and James Brown in the same breath, and you know whatever it is gotta be riddled with funk. And this expansive lineup assembled by seminal JB band bassist, Parliament Funkadelic stalwart, and Rubber Band founder Collins promises to be one furious funk fest. The heavy hitter funkateers on board include Bootsy himself, who Brown recruited for a two-year hitch with his JBs in 1969, along with former JBs guitarist Phelps "Catfish" Collins, drummers Jabo Starks and Clyde Stubblefield, percussionist Johnny Griggs and trombonist Fred Wesley. Bart Anderson Byrd will sit in on organ for his late father, Bobby, one of Brown's oldest music associates, while Tony Wilson will provide the voice and James Brown moves. Also performing in various and sundry combinations will be the Bobby Brown Band, now led by former JBs singer Vicki Anderson Byrd; Brown's daughter Venisha with Public Enemy bassist Brian Hardgroove's band Escapism; rapper Djizzle; bassist Freekbass; ZionPlanet10 (who's actually a 14-year-old singer/keyboardist); and a U.K. female trio called I-Candi. It should be loud and proud.
Tue., July 1, 7:30 p.m., 2008