Offbeat Magazine, April 2012

Audio · Video

The Stooges Brass Band has been one of the elite brass bands in New Orleans but only recently are receiving the accolades and well deserved recognition of their importance to the music scene of New Orleans. Since 1996, their high energy show on the stage and in the streets has engaged audiences with their innovative blend of traditional New Orleans brass sounds and contemporary hip-hop beats. The Stooges Brass Band has gained notoriety across the USA and the world as a full-blown musical party whether leading a second-line parade or performing their spirited stage show.

The band is undeniably one of the hardest working bands out of New Orleans, and their dedication to their craft has made an impact. The Stooges Brass Band victoriously battled in the finals for the title of "Red Bull Street Kings: Best Brass Band" under the iconic Claiborne Bridge in NOLA (the subject of a recent documentary). Along with this auspicious title, the band won an all-expenses paid trip for a recording and mentorship session with a producer in the Red Bull Studios in California. You can watch the results of this project here: The Red Bull Studio Sessions.

In April 2011, the Stooges Brass Band were awarded the title of "Best Contemporary Brass Band" at the Big Easy Music Awards. The momentum continued in 2012, touring clubs throughout the country and appearing at famed festivals such at Bonnaroo, South by Southwest, headlining the Utah Arts Festival, Discover Jazz Festival, American Folk Festival, High Sierra Music Festival, Great American Brass Band Festival, and

more.

In June 2012, the band was employed by the US Embassy as cultural ambassadors to New Orleans on a two week tour through Pakistan (read more about the trip here). They continued to tour internationally, with a two week tour of the United Kingdom for the Edinburgh Jazz Festival, the Durham Brass Festival, and more.

Whether they're second-lining in the back streets of the Crescent City, or performing across the country, the Stooges Brass Band immerse crowds in a high-energy, cut loose vibe that's contemporary yet deeply rooted in the culturally rich musical legacy of city of New Orleans.