Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Various Artists: Kickin' Some Brass

Various Artists: Kickin' Some Brass

By Joel Roberts
May 1, 1998
Sign in to view read count

Brass bands were around before jazz was born. And while they've mostly disappeared from the American musical landscape, in New Orleans, where it all began, they've never gone away. Brass bands remain a part of life in the Big Easy, where they still perform in public events like funerals, parades, and Mardi Gras.

Over the past twenty years, a number of innovative new brass bands, led by the Dirty Dozen, have been pushing the limits of this traditional music by incorporating elements of funk, bebop, and even rap. The result is some of the most raucous, spirited, and funky music being played anywhere today.

This compilation album from Shanachie provides an outstanding overview of the new brass band scene, including contributions from New Orleans stalwarts like the Dirty Dozen, Rebirth, and Olympia brass bands. Also included are selections from such diverse non-New Orleans groups as Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy (led by the Art Ensemble of Chicago trumpeter) and the Les Miserables Brass Band (led by Frank London of The Klezmatics), which offers a not-to-be-missed cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Manic Depression." Great party music and ample proof that the New Orleans brass band tradition is still going strong.

Personnel

Various Artists

various

Album information

Title: Kickin' Some Brass | Year Released: 1998 | Record Label: Shanachie Records

< Previous
Dew Drop Out

Next >
Sol

Comments

About Various Artists

Instrument: Various

Concerts

May 1 Wed

Community Open Mic

Jazz On Main
Mt Kisco, NY

For the Love of Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help

To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.