I'm Addicted to New Orleans Brass Bands

My infatuation with New Orleans is mostly due to brass bands. Every time I visit the gulf city, I have to see a brass band perform. I remember watching the Stooges Brass Band perform in 2012 at their regular Thursday night spot, the Hi-Ho Lounge. I had no idea of what to expect and didn’t think I would be hooked at the end of the night. The minute the band members began to blow into their horns, my life changed. I couldn’t believe the beautiful music that I was hearing. I wanted to jump out of my seat and dance, but I didn’t know how to “second line”. I stayed in my seat and rocked to the music. The majority of people in the audience were locals which made the vibe in the club feel more authentic. I had read and watched documentaries about New Orleans Brass Band and parade culture, but it was totally different experiencing it live. Everyone became happy and danced as if they were in a trance.  I was on vacation with a friend and am pretty sure that I annoyed her with the amount of “Oh my gosh, they are so good’ and “this is so amazing” comments that I made. The performance lasted around two hours, but I didn’t want the show to end. I had to find a way to attend another show like this. Unfortunately, it would be 5 years before I was able to see another brass band performance.

I saw the Hot 8 Brass Band perform this past Memorial Day weekend at the Howling Wolf, a jazz nightclub and bar located in the central business district of New Orleans. Although their style was a bit different than the Stooges, their show reminded me of all the reasons why I fell in love with brass bands the first time.  The NOLA vibes, and the sound of the intricate rhythms and vibrant horn melodies that counterpoint each other, made me feel as if I arrived home and in a space that I had been missing all my life. What impressed me the most was the concentration of the musicians. The band members played their instruments with the same focus as an open-heart surgeon. I could feel from them that music was a way of life. Their craft was important and the look on their faces suggested that. In no way did I want to disrespect them. I even felt bad taking pictures and short vids for my IG account because I didn’t want them to see me distracted by anything else. They were THAT good.

There is really something about the music that hits my spirit and I can’t get enough of it. I’ve even began listening to Brass Band music on Spotify regularly. It doesn’t compare to live performances, but it helps me remember most of the feelings I experienced in the jazz clubs in New Orleans. I’m hoping to return to New Orleans soon. In the meantime, I will keep an eye out for Brass Band shows in Atlanta.

*The Stooges Brass Band is one of the most notable Brass Bands from New Orleans. Not only do they play traditional and popular New Orleans brass band music, they perform covers of popular songs, and even play on different jazz rhythms.

 

*The Hot 8 Brass Band is another elite Brass Band from New Orleans. They perform at local funerals, second line parades, festivals and have appeared on HBO’s Treme and Spike Lee’s “When the Levees Broke”.

 

 

June, 8 2017

-Jolly