Feb. 19th

As promised, and in celebration of Mardi Gras, here is my secret little treasure. I have been on the hunt for Brass Band 45s for several years now. Needless to say, there aren't very many. There is a far more extensive library on LP, but even then, it is hard to find the really good stuff. I was first exposed to this music in the mid-90's by a roommate who had the Dirty Dozen Brass Band's Voodoo LP (which by the way has a fantastic version of Bobby Wommack's "It's all over now" w/ Dr. John on the vocals). The initial pull for me was the instrumental brass sound of Dixieland jazz basically "funked" up. The modern Brass Band style has come to incorporate the groovier elements of soul, funk and blues musics, while staying rooted in the early jazz traditions. It is not uncommon nowadays to hear a Brass Band do a cover of a Gap Band song, followed by a gospel traditional, like "I'll fly away". It wasn't until the late 70s and throughout the 80's that Brass Bands adapted to modern music like this. As far as my research has taught me, there is really only 1 band who were the pioneers and trendsetters in this area. That band was Harold Dejan's Olympia Brass Band. To this day, there is no Brass Band who has been so influential to not only Brass Bands, but to New Orleans' jazzy, soulful history.

Dejan's Olympia Brass Band

The Original Olympia Brass Band was founded in the late 1800's. Later, in 1958, Harold "Duke" Dejan, a saxophonist and member of an incarnation of Eureka Brass Band, split to form his own band and revived the name. Even more so than Dejan, i believe it was Milton Batiste (Asst. Leader) who really brought a young and new perspective to an older music. One of the reasons for this theory is because Dejan was getting fairly old in years towards the peak of the Bands success. This is when Batiste really carried the torch and became the de facto leader. ALL Brass Bands of recent past and present follow in the wake of the Olympia Brass Band. They first put to use the formulas which have become standard. Very rarely in music is it allowed that such a diverse repertoire of styles become so standardized. They played gospel. They played jazz. They played the blues/dirges. They played r&b/soul. They played every music that was socially relevant throughout the life of the band. As tell of their trendsetting status, now you see modern Brass Bands incorporating 80's and 90's soul/r&b and hip-hop. One of the largest reasons why this "sampling' of other musics got to be so popular was because of Mardi Gras and it's defined anthems. ALL New Orleans musicians, not just the Brass Bands, HAD to learn to play songs like Professor Longhair's "Mardi Gras in New Orleans", or older cultural traditionals like "Lil Liza Jane". These were party favorites that stayed in high demand year round and if you didn't know them, you didn't work.

Dirty Dozen Brass Band

Probably the most famous Brass Band, especially outside of New Orleans, would be the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. They were founded in the late 70s, spawning from a Church band that was devised to help youth focus their energies positively. At that time, there was not the stronghold for work amongst Brass Bands, as there is now. In part, that stronghold came from their popularity in the early 80's. They first recorded in 1980, with the help of a local radio DJ who then played their material regularly on his show. From this, they grew in notoriety which led to them landing their first larger gig at the world famous New Orleans club, Tipitina's in '82. They released their first album in 1984, entitled "Feet can't fail me now", which has become their signature tune. (Side Note: The 45 version of this song that I am featuring is a different take than the LP cut and I haven't been able to document whether it was recorded before or after the LP version. My guess is before, because it seems a little rawer and more lo-fi.) Nowadays in an attempt to be "edgier" or more modern, Dirty Dozen has replaced several traditional instruments for modern ones. Instead of the bass drum, they now have a "kit" drummer and they have also added both a keyboard player and an electric guitar player to the line-up. Just personal taste (I guess), but I prefer the more traditional elements and their "modern" approach doesn't quite equal a "Brass Band" to me. I do, however, respect their history and appreciate everything that they have contributed to develop this now thriving scene.

Rebirth Brass Band

The Rebirth Brass Band, although its members were slightly younger at the time, began around the same time as the Dirty Dozen. They became regionally successful around that time, but didn't really gain nationwide fame until a few years later. Rebirth is probably the only Band from "back in the day" that has maintained a solid sound, stayed rooted in the founding traditions, and been positively accepting to modern influences. They have had a longstanding (anybody know how many years?) Tuesday night gig at the New Orleans famed Maple Leaf Bar. Take my word, it's a must when in NOLA.

Hot 8

The Hot 8 are, by far, the hometown favorites nowadays. There is not another Brass Band who has such acclaim, presence and notoriety amongst ALL the regions of New Orleans. They too have learned to balance the traditions of old with the modern urban cultures of today. Although they have never released a 45 (i know, I'm working on it), they have recently released a 12" single version of Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing" which is phenomenal. I must also say that for 2 years now, I have brought Hot 8 to Austin for Mardi Gras, and i have never smiled so hard or had so much fun. If you happen to be around Texas and can make it out, the show is this Sunday! Info can be found HERE.

Here are more noteworthy Brass Bands with links to their respective sites/info:

Eureka Brass Band
Tuxedo Brass Band
Young Tuxedo Brass Band
Soul Rebels Brass Band
Youngblood Brass Band
Mama Digdown's Brass Band
Pinstripe Brass Band
Treme Brass Band
New Birth Brass Band
Lil Rascals Brass Band
Trombone Shorty

There is far more variety of Brass Band music available on LP and even more on CD, perhaps I will do an LP version of this post for next years Mardi Gras. Anyways, here some of my best kept secrets for your listening pleasures. HAPPY MARDI GRAS!!






Dejan's Olympia Brass Band -
Mardi Gras In New Orleans

Dejan's Olympia Brass Band -
It Ain't My Fault

Dirty Dozen Brass Band -
Feet Can't Fail Me Now

Rebirth Brass Band -
Do Watcha Wanna

Hot 8 Brass Band -
Sexual Healing

Floyd Anckle & Majestic Brass Band -
Hey Pocky-A-Way