I'm a Brass Roots Movie Backer!

I'm very happy to be finally backing this documentary.  It's the first of its kind to tell the story of New Orleans modern brass bands.  For me, that story is a key part of the lifeline of the city, and it's a very important one to tell.  That story helps preserve and continue the music culture of New Orleans. 

These guys will donate all of their raw footage to universities and organizations for educational purposes.  They'll also direct proceeds from the film to The Roots of Music, the ever growing, successful, and awesome after school music education program for kids in New Orleans. 

Click on the link, learn more about its value, and donate what you can. 

Brass Roots: The Untold History of New Orleans Brass Bands







Links:

www.brassrootsmovie.com
www.brassrootsmovie.com/blog
www.facebook.com/brassrootsmovie
www.twitter.com/brassrootsmovie

I was one happy girl in New Orleans last Tuesday night. A quick visit to pick up our visiting friend from Japan led to a fun encounter with the Young Fellaz Brass Band. I LOVE this city, its people, and the music it breeds.


I couldn't have planned it any better. A drink at the Carousel Bar and a walk onto Bourbon to find a brass band playing at 11 o'clock at night. I jumped into the Young Fellaz Brass Band crowd pulling in my visiting friend from Japan, and danced our way to the corner of Canal. Two police officers 'tagged' along in their patrol cart and blocked off the street at Canal. The crowd grew, and the Young Fellaz played an inspired set of brass rhythms and sounds that made my heart jump. The dancin' and togetherness was all about life, joy, and release. I'm tellin you that on this night it was a precious gift to have been there with the them. Young Fellaz, it was more than wonderful to check you guys out. Thank you.

Second line with Hot 8 Brass Band and Trombone Shorty

On Saturday Grace and I jumped into the French Quarter after our visit with Augusta and a brief hello with Alabama Slim, who'd doing great by the way. :)

After a quick treat at Cafe Du Monde we were surprised by a second line on Decatur. When we heard the brass we went running out to the street to see the Hot 8 Brass Band leading a small crowd. They had a great sound, and I jumped right in front to grab a few pictures. While looking up at the trombone player I said to myself, "Wait, it's Trombone Shorty!" I think a lady with them saw my face and said to me, "That's Trombone Shorty." Grace and I started calling out to him while a man in their group started calling us in. I grabbed Grace's hand, jumped in right next to the man inviting us and right behind Trombone. To my surprise he tapped Trombone on his shoulder who turned to us and reached back with his right hand for Grace. We got to shake hands and then they went on their way off of Decatur. We still continued after them for a tiny bit, and then smiled afterwards at how much fun it had all been. Our timing in the Quarter always seems to bring about some magic for us.





We were first introduced to Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews last April 2006 during a second line through the Treme neighborhood. We were all headed to the MLK park to check out Wynton Marsalis' Congo Square performance, and the crowd of hundreds jammed with the brass and percussion en route. As we were about to jump out of the line to grab some shade for Grace, the crowd stepped back to make a big circle around one particular brass player. I remember that we were very impressed by him, and didn't learn that he was Troy Andrews until reading about him on Wynton's web page.

We checked out his scene through online postings, and then were lucky enough to cross paths with him again at the Superdome reopening in September. Because I had been at Sunday's rehearsal for the on-field performance, I had the opportunity to meet him as he head out of the Dome. He was very kind with me when I approached him and let him know how much I appreciated his performance that night as well as at Congo Square.

My husband got to check him out right here in Baton Rouge at one of the downtown outdoor performances. I had been in NJ at the time and missed the event, but it was good to experience it through my husband's accounts. Maybe they'll come back one day.

We were then surprised at the 2007 Jazz Fest when he stepped onto the stage with Norah Jones for a performance of Sinkin' Soon. We really were thrilled to have another chance to listen to him.


I'm looking forward to learning more about the Hot 8 Brass Band and hopefully seeing them again. They're playing tomorrow night, 9/18, at the Shaw Center downtown, but I don't think we'll be able to go unfortunately.


Please check out both Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews and the Hot 8 Brass Band. :D

http://www.tromboneshorty.com/
http://www.myspace.com/tromboneshorty

hot8brassband.com
http://www.myspace.com/hot8brassband