James Brown band stage impromptu tribute

Members of James Brown’s band, The Soul Generals, honoured their late leader during an informal jam session.

The performance came at nightclub Soul Bar in Augusta, Georgia, after “homegoing” memorial ceremonies at the weekend for Brown, who died of heart failure on Christmas morning aged 73.

The show doubled as a healing session for band members, guitarist Keith Jenkins said.

“We got a chance to reflect and consider our future options,” said Jenkins, a band member for 12 years.

Was it the band’s last performance now that Brown has died?

“I hope not,” said trumpeter Hollie Farris, who played with Brown for 26 years.

“We are talking about the possibility of continuing as a tribute band. But we don’t want to be like an Elvis impersonation band. We want to honour him and carry on his legacy.”