DJ Soul Sister has announced the details for her 10th annual Birthday Jam at Tipitina’s. This year’s edition of the party is set to take place on Friday, September 9.
Chuck Brown Band. Photo by Nicholas Fullen.
The show will feature a performance from Washington, DC Go-Go pioneers the Chuck Brown Band, along with a set from DJ Soul Sister and an appearance from trhe New Breed Brass Band.
Best known for his 1978 hit “Bustin’ Loose,” Chuck Brown was affectionately known as the “Godfather of Go Go,” a style of funk music that originated in Washington, DC. Brown passed away in 2012, but his 10-member band (which includes congas and percussion, a three-piece horn section, and a lead talker/vocalist) carries the torch to this day.
“Throughout my life, I have always loved and paid tribute to Chuck Brown, the legendary creator and ‘Godfather’ of Go-Go, Washington D.C.’s indigenous brand of percussion-filled funk and groove-based music,” DJ Soul Sister said in a statement. “Strangely enough, DC go-go music was played on the radio here in New Orleans when I was around 9 and 10 years old, and I never forgot how amazing that sound was, so I’ve always shared the music as much as I could, over the years.”
“Not only do I love that D.C. go-go sound and have been playing it for years, but I’m honored to be the only local artist to have opened for him in concert, as I did in 2007 (Jazz Fest) and 2009 (House of Blues) – two of the three of Chuck’s only New Orleans appearances since first performing here in 1979 to promote ‘Bustin’ Loose,'” she adds. “Many New Orleans musicians and rappers have also cited the DC go-go funk sound as being influential, and you can hear their mark in groups ranging from the ReBirth Brass Band to the Brass-a-holics. The Chuck Brown Band continues to keep the Godfather of Go-Go’s memory alive, playing for capacity crowds in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area since its bandleader’s passing. This New Orleans show would be a very rare appearance outside of that area. This will be a historic night of non-stop funk!”
Tickets for the show are on sale via Tipitina’s website.
