Musicians who have collaborated with Fletcher will also perform, including Philly's own violinist John Blake, Jr., pianist Barry Sames, the Alfie Moss/Dexter Koonce Project, Lonnie-Liston Smith, Sid Simmons, Doc Gibbs, John Swana, Sonny Fortune, Onaje Allen Gumbs, William “Spaceman" Paterson, Gary Bartz, Mike Boone, Clifford Adams, Barbara Montgomery, Ronnie Burrage, Gerald Chavis, Fostina Dixon- Kilgoe, Jeff Knoettner, the Temple of Ma'at Drummers and others.
Wilmington's native son, Wilby Fletcher, Jr. (1954-2009) attended George Gray Elementary School and P.S. duPont High School. His career spanned 40 years, pairing him in performance with such legends as Harry Belafonte, Lena Horne, Nina Simone, Roberta Flack, McCoy Tyner, Diane Reeves, Carlos Santana, Roy Ayers, and Grover Washington, Jr. Most known for his Swingin' jazz technique, Fletcher was recognized as one of the world's most versatile drummers.
Toward the end of his career, he returned to Wilmington, where he taught drum theory lessons to youth and played during services at Shiloh Baptist Church.
Wilby Fletcher, Jr. Musical Tribute
Saturday, February 28, 2010, 3:00 p.m. Clifford Brown Performance Center,
Christina Cultural Arts Center,705 N. Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware.
For more information and tickets, call CCAC at 302.652.0101.
