If you’ve seen MarchFourth Marching Band live, perhaps at Voodoo or last year’s Halloween show at House of Blues, you know the incredible energy this band is capable of bringing. With an entourage of more than 30 horn players, percussionists, acrobats and stilt-walkers M4 has proven itself to be one of the premiere touring acts. [...]
Tag Archives: brass bands
The Soul Rebels, Unlock Your Mind (Rounder Records)
January 1, 2012 – 12:59 am
After 20 years in existence, the Soul Rebels furiously unleash a barrage of musicianship, originality, and range of accomplishment every bit as impressive and inspiring as today’s historically black college and university marching show bands from which the Rebels draw inspiration. For example, a version of the Eurythmics’ signature 1983 hit “Sweet Dreams (Are Made [...]
The Soul Rebels
January 1, 2012 – 12:25 am
When The Village Voice described New Orleans’ Soul Rebels as “the missing link between Louis Armstrong and Public Enemy,” they got it only half right. The Soul Rebels were deeply influenced by hip-hop, but Armstrong? Not so much. The Voice overlooked a more relevant phenomenon: Marching bands. The marching show bands represent and animate the [...]
Stooges Brass Band Releases “This Christmas” Cover for Download
December 20, 2011 – 2:08 pm
Yesterday, the Stooges Brass Band released a second line version of Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas”, a cover they street-tested at the Big Nine Social Aid & Pleasure Club parade on Sunday afternoon. The Stooges are offering the track as a free download in exchange for an email address. “This Christmas” has been a holiday [...]
The Funky Butt Brass Band, You Can Trust the Funky Butt Brass Band (Independent)
November 1, 2011 – 12:46 am
I once saw Henry Butler judge a big butt contest at the Funky Butt on Rampart Street and have been searching for another night like that ever since. Similar memories fuel the allegiance to New Orleans that brings tourists back year after year to worship at our soiled altars. For members of the Funky Butt [...]
Out-of-Town Brass Bands
November 1, 2011 – 12:11 am
Jazz funerals work a little differently in Minneapolis. Just ask the Jack Brass Band. “It wasn’t like a second line. We were actually inside the church, standing up in front of the congregation at the altar,” recalls band leader Mike Olander about one of his group’s recent engagements. “We did ‘Just a Closer Walk With [...]
Black Men of Labor Second Line: Photos
October 31, 2011 – 1:46 pm
After postponing their annual Labor Day parade this year due to Tropical Storm Lee/Hurricane Lee, the Black Men of Labor held their second line this Saturday, October 29 in perfect weather. The Black Men of Labor celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Riders with a ceremony to honor the riders and members of the [...]
Video du Jour: Rebirth Brass Band
October 12, 2011 – 12:02 pm
For years now the Rebirth Brass Band has held down one of the best known weekly gigs in New Orleans: the infamous Tuesday night at the Maple Leaf Bar. Last week the band added a new weekly party to their schedule, heading downtown for their first Wednesday night show at Vaso. Rebirth will be playing [...]
Soul Rebels Brass Band Offering Free Sweet Dreams EP and Dance Contest
September 2, 2011 – 4:29 pm
With a new album, Unlock Your Mind, coming January 2012 on Rounder Records, the Soul Rebels Brass Band are currently offering a three-track EP, Sweet Dreams, of songs from the record. The title track is a cover of the Eurythmics’ ’80s classic “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)”. The EP is available below in exchange [...]
