Hot 8 Brass Band at WOMAD 2017 Photo: Michael Flynn
One thing’s for sure, you wouldn’t find an act at WOMAD 2017 that moved more air than The Hot 8 Brass Band.
The Hot 8 come from New Orleans, birthplace of jazz, with trombones, trumpets, sousaphone, saxophones and sousaphone pumping. Though their music contains jazz elements, The Hot 8 equally belong to a tradition that grew in parallel to jazz: the New Orleans marching band. From the late 19th century, black brass bands would often march through the city’s streets, accompanying parades and funerals. As the tradition grew, it took on more of the characteristics of jazz such as improvised soloing and hot rhythms.
Some early groups such as the Olympia Brass Band and Eureka Brass Band remained active through to the ‘70s and ’80s, when the tradition was updated by younger groups like The Dirty Dozen and Rebirth Brass Band.
Formed about 20 years ago, The Hot 8 pushed the tradition even further, introducing funk and hip-hop tunes into the brass band repertoire. But the rebels are now are standard-bearers, and you can hear the whole musical history of their city – from Louis Armstrong to Lil Wayne – in their jubilant, polyrhythmic sound.
Engineered by Graham Kennedy for RNZ Music.
Music Details:
Titles: 'Rock with The Hot 8', Steamin' Blues', 'Take it to the House', 'Poppa Was A Rolling Stone', 'Keepin' it Funky', 'Do My Thing', 'Sexual Healing', 'Harmonies', 'I Got You', 'New Orleans (After The City)'
Related:
Interview: The Hot 8 Brass Band | WOMAD 2017
For over 20 years, one of the most popular and visible funk-style brass bands in New Orleans has been the Hot 8 Brass Band. Sousaphone player Benny Pete talks to Trevor Reekie backstage at WOMAD 2017.
…Hot 8 Brass Band: genre-busting band from New Orleans
The Hot 8 Brass Band are coming from the US to play WOMAD in mid-March. The band, direct from the streets of New Orleans, has re-cast traditional marching band jazz with funk, R&B and hip-hop. Kim… Audio
The Sampler: On The Spot by The Hot 8 Brass Band
Nick Bollinger discusses the joyful noise and violent background of The Hot 8. Audio
