All-star R&B group, “formed in 1974 from the singing group Black Ice” according to Joe Thomas, Jr., and featured the brass section of Greg Thomas (tenor and soprano sax, band leader), Joe Thomas, Jr. (alto sax, flute, vocals), Augustus ‘Gus’ Johnson (trombone) later replaced with Greg Boyer*, and Kelvin O’Neal (trumpet, vocals) later replaced with Bennie Cowan. The rhythm section featured guitarist Michael Stockton (guitar, vocals) later replaced with Kevin Oliver, bassist Ronald Bland later replaced with Rodney ‘Skeet’ Curtis (ex-Brockington band, Hot Ice), Derek Brooks (keyboards ex-Hot Ice), and drummer James Carter later replaced with Dennis Chambers (ex-IBM’s, Skylab). Skeet recalled “I played with Uncle Remus while I still played with Hot Ice. First with James Carter on drums and later Dennis Chambers. Once Hot Ice and Uncle Remus merged, Danny Rogers (ex-Hot Ice) became Production manager and Dennis remained as drummer.” Vocalist Dwight Fulton also noted as a member.
*Greg Boyer’s career led to Music Director for Prince. Greg joined in the J408 Big band at Bobby B’s.
Dwight Fulton, Rodney ‘Skeet’ Curtis, Augustus Johnson, Joe Thomas, and
on bottom is Danny ‘Chubby’ Rogers. Photo courtesy of Joe Thomas, Jr.
Joe Thomas adds “Uncle Remus became one of Baltimore’s top funk/soul bands playing in all the local venues such as the Embassy Room, Northpoint Gardens, The Ambassador Room, and they did the first Baltimore Soul Festival held in Hopkins Plaza, which eventually became known as AFRAM.”
The group played all the local clubs as well as proms, frat events, and cabaret’s… Also played the first year of the festival now known as the Charm City Festival.
“Skeet opened the door for everybody” recalled Danny aka ‘Chubby’, “he was the first to go with Funkadelic.” Skeet joined George Clinton’s P-Funk in 1977. He has appeared on many LP’s by various P-Funk projects, as well as artists such as Thomas Dolby, Bernie Worrell, De La Soul, Julius Brockington… He was also a member of Maceo Parker’s band, and toured with Chuck Brown’s Soul Searchers. He performed for the opening ceremonies for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, and has made television appearances on Saturday Night Live, and Late Night with David Letterman.
Greg Thomas joined the P-Funk horn section in 1978. Chambers (see bio) also joined P-Funk in 1978. He went on to work with Steely Dan, Santana, and many other rock, R&B, and jazz artists. Guitarist Kevin Oliver joined P-Funk in 1979.
Joe Thomas, along with O’Neal, and Bland performed together in the ‘00s as members of the backing band for Charles Stallings.
