Leo with The Meter Men. Photo by Dino Perrucci

For many, The Meters, Parliament-Funkadelic and James Brown are funk music’s three most important architects. In early 2013, members of all three bands will come together for three shows in Japan.

Slated to take place at Osaka’s Billboard Live on January 29 as well as Tokyo’s Billboard Live on January 30 and 31, The Meters Experience Presents: Icons of Funk will bring together Meters guitarist Leo Nocentelli, P-Funk keyboardist Bernie Worrell and James Brown/P-Funk trombonist Fred Wesley. Galactic drummer Stanton Moore, bassist Bill Dickens and keyboardist CR Gruver will back the funk icons throughout their run.