Brother Fat with special guest Kalimbaman

Brother Fat was formed to honor the passing of Count M’Butu, Grammy Award-winning member of The Derek Trucks Band. The band came together to be a part of his memorial show. The name was the fulfilling of a prophecy. 

 

Mark Chester met and became a student of Count M’Butu in the early 2000s, and they became close friends. Count once told Mark that his buddies would call him “Fat Larry,” and would address him as “Brother Fat.” Mark told Count, “That’s the coolest nickname ever! Some day I’m going to have a band with that name.”

 

On August 15th, 2021 that prophecy was fulfilled. At Music on Main Street in Lilburn, GA, Brother Fat came together and played at the “We’re Down for The Count” memorial show for Count M’Butu. Totally unrehearsed, and many of the band members playing together for the first time, the chemistry was obvious, and the set was magical. It seemed only fitting that the band carry on, honoring The Count! 

 

Brother Fat is an exceptional, percussion-centric band, playing music that crosses multiple genres of Funk, Blues and Classic Rock. And, they will surprise you with some impressive original tunes you may have never heard!

 

Despite being formed in 2021, Brother Fat has deep roots. Guitarist and vocalist Tyler Neal, from Col. Bruce Hampton & The Madrid Express, also has his own project, The Tyler Neal Band, and an LP called “Nothing to Lose” (appearing at 185 King St. with Jeff Sipe August 16th). Also on guitar and vocals, Joel Forlines plays with the Natty Lovejoys and Chattanooga-based Cosmic Shift. JW Powell plays keys with Asheville’s Josh Phillips, Vertigo Jazz Project and Sanctum Sulley, and has two LPs with Asheville, NC’s The Mantras: “Be The Light” and “Knot Suite.” Percussionist Gaurav Molhatra, a long-time student and friend of Count M’Butu, plays with Atlanta’s Captain Soularcat, Rev. Jeff Mosier, Grant Green, Jr, and played on Col. Bruce Hampton’s final LP “Live at The Vista Room.” Bass player and vocalist Jerry Sorn toured with Michael Clark’s Byrds and recording artists Tall Dogs, releasing a self-titled LP, before joining Butch’s Brew with the legendary Butch Trucks, and eventually Atlanta’s The Flying Oatsmen. Drummer Darren Goot plays with The Flying Oatsmen and Atlanta rockers Blair Out Loud! And vocalist and percussionist Mark Chester played with Col. Bruce Hampton & The Madrid Express, and still plays with Atlanta’s The Flying Oatsmen, and has an LP, “Cocoon” with Asheville’s QuickChester.