MEMORY ON LARIMER" Rocky Mountain News by Dave Flomberg June 1, 2007 "Grab your horn and meet us down at Who's on First." Zach was playing drums for the open jam at the long-since-closed Cherry Creek bar and grill with Denver pianist Joe Bonner that summer evening, more than a dozen summers ago. I wasn't even old enough to drink legally, but Zach said it was cool. They were set up on the patio, and as I assembled my horn, I noticed a trombone sitting on a table a few feet away. It was a stunning instrument; the gloss-black-lacquered bell was elegantly adorned with gold etching. I was agog. I asked Zach whom the horn belonged to. He jerked his thumb over at a man chatting with a couple of other musicians. "It's Fred's." Fred Wesley was there. The former musical director of the James Brown band. George Clinton's main man. The greatest living funkbonist in the known universe. I quickly began packing up my horn. No way was I gonna get on the same stage as that guy. But Zach eventually talked me down, and I ended up not only playing, but getting to chat later with an idol of mine. Fred wasn't just magnanimous, he was encouraging. It was one of those chance encounters that sparks an epiphany, or at least nudges a young player's musical focus in a new direction. These days, Front Range aficionados have had ample opportunity to see another of James Brown's sidemen. Damon Wood was the Godfather of Soul's lead guitarist in the late '90s and early '00s; his jam band Harmonious Junk has become a Mile-High groove staple in the past few years. Anyone in attendance last week at Herb's, the jazz and blues dive on Larimer at the north end of LoDo, can attest to why. Rolling through blues, old school R&B, funk and jazz tunes sprinkled with rock riffs and swamp-soaked delta changes, Harmonious Junk is one of the more aptly named bands you'll see. Its ability to blend styles and influences is exceptional, matched only by the players' musicianship. The cool thing about seeing a band fronted by a sideman to one of the most influential figures in the history of pop music is you'll never know who might show up. Last week, saxophonist Jeff Watkins and trumpeter Hollie Farris joined Junk's lone sax player, Pete Wall, along with Fred Thomas, Brown's bassist, who was also taking some vocals. Between the horns and Fred on the mic, the mood was visibly energized. Herb's was packed with bodies. We were at a booth to the side of the stage; the narrow path between the bar and booths became impossible to navigate. The crowd was heady and drunk, thoroughly enjoying the jam, and just as excited when Journey blared on the jukebox between sets. Band members were mobbed by well-wishers when they stepped off stage. It's a moment I can't help but pause to appreciate. From Fred Wesley to Fred Thomas, the number of lives touched by James Brown still grows. Even here, at a calescent gin mill at the edge of downtown Denver, five months to the day after his death, he's still the hardest-working man in show business. Harmonious Junk • HJ plays June 9 at the Hornet (76 Broadway, 303-777-7676) and at 11:15 a.m. June 16 at the Highlands Street Fair (West 32nd Avenue and Irving Street).