The New Birth Brass Band: D-Boy

Jim Santella

Senior Contributor since 1997

Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues, The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.

Recent articles (1,677 total)

Published: August 1, 1998

The sound of tuba and marching drums echoing through the streets of New Orleans must have made quite an impression on the forefathers of jazz. A tight unit, the New Birth Brass Band blends trumpet, trombone and tuba melodies with basic percussion rhythms and adds in a side order of fun. Each member of the ensemble takes an occasional solo. The band is: trumpeter James Andrews, trombonist Reginald Steward, trumpeter Derrick Shezbie, tuba player Kerwin James, snare drummer Kerry Hunter and bass drummer Cayetano Hingle. Andrews sings, and each of the band's members shares in that spirit. The album's title refers to Darnell Andrews, the leader's younger brother who passed away at the age of 17.

The band's party music is up-tempo and crisp. While the lyrics are loaded with double entendre, the band's straightforward approach to the music results in an enjoyable listen. Providing authenticity to their outdoors street band persona, the trumpeters are slightly out of tune with each other and enjoy losing control on the occasional high, screeching, phrase-ending bar. Combining "down on the bayou" Caribbean rhythms with trad jazz and blues charm, the New Birth Brass Band's contagious enthusiasm appeals to everyone.

Track Listing: Mardi Gras in New Orleans; D-Boy; You Got Yours; Spread Your Legs; Whoopin' Blues; I Ate Up the Apple Tree; Smoke that Fire; Jesus on the Main Line; Ms Lollipop; Shakin' That Ass; Li'l Liza Jane; Caribbean Second Line.

Record Label: NYNO
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream