Feel Like Funkin’ It Up

I’ve never been to New Orleans, but it’s a place that is absolutely on my list. From all of the music the town has to offer to all of the haunted locations (I’m a true sucker for some good ghost hunting), it just seems like somewhere that I would love. Maybe that’s why I like certain brass bands so much. One of the many things New Orleans is known for is their brass bands, and that’s why, when one of them comes all the way up to the north country, I drop everything and go. Maybe I was at Rebirth Brass Band on Thursday evening at The Dakota to just get that taste of a place I’ve never been, or perhaps it was just because, give me a horn band and I’m happy. All I know is that this was the perfect way to spend a Thursday evening.

Rebirth Brass Band, to me, is one of the quintessential New Orleans brass bands. I’m not sure why. I don’t know the genre super well and often stumble into shows like these, but Rebirth was a band name I knew, and their legend preceded them. I won’t go into the entire history of this band because it’s lengthy and, truthfully, if you care that much, you can do your own research, but I will give you some quick snapshots– Formed in 1983, Rebirth Brass Band has a super cool sound that blends everything from jazz to funk to your standard brass bound sounds. Many members of this band are related, so to call it a family affair honestly wouldn’t be a stretch. This band has seen some stuff. From triumphs to tragedy, joy to sadness, Rebirth Brass Band has had a rocky road, but it has never stopped them from spreading joy, love, and music throughout the country and world.

Sonically, Rebirth Brass Band was absolutely on point on Thursday night. Their bombastic sound took over the room with ease while not coming off as too overwhelming for the primarily older audience who were out to enjoy a lovely night of delicious food and tasty jams. It didn’t take long for me to catch on to the sheer amount of talent that I was witnessing on stage. From the two drummers to the front horn line and all the way back to the sousaphone player, who absolutely won my heart throughout this performance, I loved the fact that I got to see each individual member shine in their own way while being treated to a cohesive set. It was song after song of horn solos that remained accessible while perfectly showcasing the virtuistic skill of the players. Easy to listen to and fun to interpret, the sound of Rebirth Brass Band was just what I wanted.

Although I do adore Rebirth Brass Band, I don’t know their song titles, so I couldn’t tell you the setlist or anything like that, but I can tell you that I loved the way the band would sneak little nods to more popular songs throughout them. There were too many of these nods to mention all of them, but their nod to Outkast definitely had me moving and grooving to the beat. It was moments like this, and the way that the band didn’t seem to have a set list, and more just played whatever one of the members was feeling and counted off, that led to a super fun and informal vibe to the night. I would never call The Dakota a stuffy club, but I feel like the performances I see there are super refined, giving it an almost traditional feeling. The way that this band kept mentioning that they didn’t know what was going to be played next, it was just going to be whatever felt right, added an organic feeling to the room, and I found it irresistible.

I wish this were where I could tell you how the entire room felt more like the streets of New Orleans than The Dakota, but, unfortunately, this is the one place where I felt that this show fell flat for me. I was expecting a parade-like energy. I was wanting an almost childlike wonder and whimsy floating through the air while watching these musicians feel the notes they were playing, but, instead, I feel like it was just kind of watching this band go through the motions. Again, this is not at all a reflection of the talent I saw on stage, but I’m just the kind of person that needs more than good notes; I need good vibes, and I just felt that the vibes from Rebirth Brass Band on Thursday night fell a bit flat. There were moments where I got hints of what a truly bombastic street performance from this band may be like, but those moments were few and far between. I’m going to blame it on the fact that I was at the early show, not the second, “late-night” performance, but I was definitely left a bit bummed that I felt that I didn’t get the whole effect of this band.

I’ve never been to New Orleans, but Rebirth Brass Band gave me a little taste on Thursday night, and I may just let my ADHD drift to looking at hotels and flights today when I inevitably can’t focus on work. I want to see this band, and many others, in their element– on the streets of New Orleans parading down in a flurry of celebratory vibes and undeniable heart.