MoFess literally means more than Fess! The band’s love for Henry Roeland Byrd/Professor Longhair (Fess) and the unique ability of Tom Worrell to emulate Fess’s piano style of music was the inspiration to create a band that utilizes Fess’s sound and goes beyond that with their own unique style of New Orleans music that needs to be heard!
..thus “MoFess”!!
The members of the band originally consisted of two original members of Fess’s band from the 70’s, drummer Earl Gordon and guitarist Billy Gregory recently replaced by June Yamagishi, also included is saxophonist Lance Ellis (War), , and keyboard player Tom Worrell. The other original Fess members forming this band include, bassist Reggie Scanlan (formerly with The Radiators), Tony Degradi (sax), and Alfred Uganda Roberts (Congas)..who also played with Fess in the 70’s.
The band’s inception is an interesting story of events that propelled it forward. Record producer Carlo Ditta of Orleans record fame and guitarist Bill Gregory collaborated on a live album by Professor Longhair and his band called “Live in Chicago” which was recorded in 1976. The recorded tapes were in Billy’s possession for 40 years due to technical interference at the time of recording. With the advances in audio technology Carlo and Billy were now able to go into the studio and mix it to produce this wonderful live album, which has Julius Farmer (bass), Big Will Harvey (guitar), Earl Gordon (drums), Billy Gregory (guitar) and Fess (keyboards and vocals) playing on it.
Earl Gordon who lived in LA was invited to a debut of the album in 2016 in New Orleans and it was there that he met Tom Worrell who agreed to play piano with some of Fess's former band members to celebrate this 40 year old achievment.
After Earl Gordon heard Tom Worrell’s incredible piano skills and his uncanny ability to emulate Fess’s style including vocals, he was convinced that there was an opportunity to bring Fess’s music to all those who never heard this genius as well as those who did and would now get a chance to hear Fess again. Earl Gordon and Tom then formed MoFess. They also decided not to be just a tribute band but also integrate their own talents and add to Fess's style and create a unique sound of their own!
MoFess will now embark on it ‘s mission to introduce the New Orleans sound that was so popular back in the 70's to a whole new generation as well as those who remember this incredible music worldwide.