For over five decades the Wooten Brothers have been recognized as some of the most innovative musicians in existence and are collectively known as one of the most talented and dynamic band of brothers the world has ever known. A self-contained unit, the band consist of (from oldest to youngest) Regi on guitar/vocals; Roy on drums/vocals; Joseph on keyboards/vocals; and Victor on bass/vocals. The Wooten Brothers continue to honor their middle brother, Rudy, whose untimely passing in 2010 left the band without their one-man horn section. Since he was a child, Rudy played two saxophones at once, duplicating lines from popular horn bands such as Earth Wind and Fire, Chicago, Tower of Power, Blood Sweat and Tears, and others.
Throughout the fall of 2023 and the spring of 2024, the Wooten Brothers will be touring the world while simultaneously releasing a collection of newly recorded original music as well as original compositions recorded in the 1970s and ‘80s. The new music is a blend of influences from the past and present; Jazz, Funk, Soul, R&B, and more, woven together in a way that only the Brothers can produce. The old music, which was recently discovered in the brother’s archives, will display the young group’s advanced musicality, vocal ability, harmonies, and songwriting. These special compositions will allow the world to enjoy Rudy’s extraordinary saxophone virtuosity. You’ll quickly understand why the young brothers were often sought after to share the stage with the likes of Curtis Mayfield, WAR, The Temptations, Ramsey Lewis, Stephanie Mills, Franky Beverly and Maze, Mongo Santamaria, and others. In 1972, the Wooten Brothers were hired as the opening band for Curtis Mayfield‘s hugely successful Superfly Tour. The eldest Wooten Brother, Regi, was fourteen years old. Victor was only five.
Sons of military parents, the boy’s early years often meant moving from state to state. Regi, Roy, and Rudy, born in Louisiana and North Carolina, were exposed to music at a very early age. Their parent’s recognized the boy’s interest and supported them by bringing them to concerts. On two different occasions, while dancing in the aisles, both Chubby Checker and James Brown invited the three young Wootens on stage to dance with them. The three brother’s love of music and thirst for the stage had been solidified. Soon after, Joseph was born in Ohio and three years later, Victor was born in Idaho, With the addition of two more brothers, Regi knew that the band was complete and immediately began teaching the youngest two. Later that day, the brothers performed their first show in their front yard.
Individually, the brothers were forced to find alternative musical outlets. Gigs with local bands, recording sessions, small tours, performances at Busch Gardens – The Old Country amusement park, and a few moves to different states ensued. Roy and Victor eventually became founding members of the super-group Bela Fleck and the Flecktones while Joseph joined the Steve Miller Band. All the brothers were able to musically keep busy, but they never lost their thirst and desire to play together as The Wooten Brothers. Now the time has come!
Regi Wooten’s signature guitar style of chording, slapping, tapping and frenzied strumming has earned him world-wide notoriety and comparisons to Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa and Chuck Berry. In recent years, Regi has performed with many artists including the legendary Ginger Baker. Regi, known worldwide as “The Teacher”, currently teaches music in Nashville, TN and has taught many notable musicians. He was teaching his little brothers Joseph and Victor when he himself was only 9 years old. One of his early, but lasting contributions was the composition of his and his brother’s high school Alma Mater.
Roy “Futureman” Wooten, a five-time Grammy Award winner, is best known for his masterful drumming and percussion skills and is a founding member of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Roy, a seasoned drum set player, is mostly known for his frenzied, inimitable on-stage performances heightened by his surreal choice of instruments: his trademark inventions “The Drumitar” and “RoyEl” keyboard. He is also a philosopher, researcher, filmmaker, and educator. His impressive solo career and “Black Mozart” projects scan the genres of classical, jazz, soul, gospel, and spoken word.
Joseph Wooten, aka the "Hands of Soul”, has a dizzying list of talents that is impressive even by the Wooten clan's standards. Currently the keyboardist/vocalist for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted Steve Miller in his "Steve Miller Band" (since 1993), Joseph is also a Grammy nominated songwriter, composer, arranger, motivational speaker, and has been showcased as an amazing vocalist since he was a child. In 2017 he published his book, "It All Matters". He has collaborated with the likes of Whitney Houston, Kashif, Kenny G, George Clinton, and when not touring with Miller, leads his own band. Joseph was also a member of "Freedom Sings", an elite group of hand-picked musicians organized by the First Amendment Center in Washington, D.C. to promote and educate about the First Amendment, and even helps out his little brother as keyboardist, vocalist, and composer for The Victor Wooten Band. Joseph also has a non-profit organization, "I Matter! You Matter!", that works with young people of all ages, gives scholarships, and provides aid and support to the homeless, Veterans, and first responders.
Victor Wooten, also a five-time Grammy Award-winning artist, has graced the cover of Bass Player Magazine five times. He is a founding member of the eclectic group Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and is recognized as one of the greatest living bassist today often drawing comparisons to Jaco Pastorius, and was named one of the “Top ten bassist of all time” by Rolling Stone Magazine. He is also an award-nominated author, naturalist, and music educator and has been running his unique music/nature camps since the year 2000. Wooten’s camps are held at his own Wooten Woods, which is just outside of Nashville. In 2010, he started his own record label, Vix Records, which has released a series of acclaimed recordings over the last few years.
Together The Wooten Brothers bring an uncanny level of experience, originality, and musical expertise to the stage. This will be the brother’s first record release and tour together as a band since Rudy’s untimely death a few years ago. Their shows will be a spirited, high-energy, super-funky, artistic blend of styles including original songs and classics. In short: these brothers are the real deal, and their shows are not to be missed.
