Recently, Tulane University music professor Matt Sakakeeny published Roll With It: Brass Bands in the Streets of New Orleans, a book chronicling the lives of brass band musicians in New Orleans that also includes illustrations from venerated local artist Willie Birch. Sakakeeny, a musician and ethnomusicologist who moved to the city 16 years ago, began following and recording the activities of the Hot 8, Rebirth and Soul Rebels Brass Bands shortly after Hurricane Katrina in 2006. The book takes a close look at the day-to-day lives of musicians from each troupe and examines how its members interact with, experience, progress and uphold the brass band tradition within the contexts of New Orleans’ social and musical landscapes. Tune in below to hear Sakakeeny’s fascinating insight into the modern-day brass band.

For those interesting in picking up a copy of Roll With It: Brass Bands in the Streets of New Orleans, meeting the author and illustrator or hearing music from some of the musicians in the book, a release party for the book is set for Friday, November 8 at 8:00 p.m. at Sweet Lorraine’s Jazz Club. The event will feature music from the Hot 8 Brass Band and Sakakeeny’s own group, Los Po-Boy-Citos. Sweet Lorraine’s is located at 1931 St. Claude Avenue (map).

Or, if you can’t make this Friday night at Sweet Lorraine’s, next Tuesday evening (November 12) the Rebirth Brass Band will play at a reception at Garden District Book Shop after a reading from Sakakeeny at 6:00 p.m. Garden District Books is located at 2727 Prytania Street (map).

OffBeat readers may also take advantage of a limited time 30% discount offer on purchase of the book directly from Duke University Press’ website by entering the code AD13OFF at check-out online.

Listen to the podcast with Matt Sakakeeny below:

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