20th Annual Brews, Jazz and Funk Fest | Aug. 13-14 | 3-8 p.m. | Village at Palisades Tahoe
Since its founding as one of America’s first free Black neighborhoods in 1783, the neighborhood of Tremé in New Orleans has echoed with the sound of second line brass bands. These mobile jazz funerals march ageless lanes honoring the fallen as smells and sounds of traditional Creole culture waft through the humid air.
This is the city that birthed trumpeter and singer Louis Armstrong in 1901. He performed on Mississippi riverboats before becoming America’s first true pop star.
“What we play is life,” Armstrong once said of his native musical culture. His tradition was carried on through the generations by groups such as Tuxedo Brass Band, Eureka Brass Band and Dirty Dozen Brass Band that all shared the Big Easy’s charming melodies and vibrant stage performance with the world.
By the time Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band was founded by Tremé icons the Frazier Brothers and Kermit Ruffins in 1983, locals acts began incorporating R&B, funk, soul and hip-hop hits of the day into their repertoire. This ever-evolving musical gumbo will be on display at the 20th annual Brews, Jazz and Funk Fest at the Village at Palisades Tahoe where Rebirth Brass Band joins Orgone, Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, Con Brio, Lizano and Funk Assassination for two days of uniquely American music and craft beer.
“One thing that makes it special is the fact that this music is well connected to the ancestors who created it,” says Rebirth’s current trumpeter Glenn Hall. “The same notes, the same rhythms, the same progressions. I think it’s really hard to see that in a lot of other music. Music is music, but in New Orleans, you can feel and see the direct influence from previous generations. As young musicians, we really embraced that.”
Hall grew up in a musical family in Tremé listening to his father’s extensive CD collection and watching his cousins and uncles perform their regular Tuesday night gig at the Maple Tree Bar on Oak Street. At age 6, former Rebirth trombonist Glen David Andrews gifted him a cornet and taught him his first song, “Saint James Infirmary Blues” in D minor.
“Any of my family members, when a young guy picks up a horn or drum, they do everything they can to help,” says Hall. “We’re learning through this old tradition we have in this culture. It’s more of a community and a family. This music is based off the feeling and energy of the people.”
By his teens, Hall was playing some of the biggest gigs in the city with Baby Boyz Brass Band. Soon after, he was invited to join Rebirth. There are currently eight members in the group: two trumpeters, two trombonists, a saxophonist, a tuba player and snare and bass drummers. The group won a Grammy for Best Regional Roots Music Album for “Rebirth of New Orleans” in 2012.
Hall was 10 years old when Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city. Ever since, life hasn’t been quite the same in Tremé where gentrification and displacement have unsettled the traditional culture. While there aren’t quite as many musicians playing on the streets these days, Hall and others, such as his cousin Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, work to share their musical tradition with the next generation through outreach and education of organizations such as the Trombone Shorty Foundation. These musicians understand the importance of teaching the younger ones a heritage that allows this magical city to share its famous way of life with all the world.
“I just enjoy playing for people, giving that energy and receiving that energy,” says Hall. “I truly love being the people person you have to be being an entertainer. I hope the music speaks for itself and the entire world. We’re totally stoked and excited to play this festival and to bring the New Orleans culture to you guys.” | palisadestahoe.com
Aug. 13
3-4 p.m. | Lizano, First Street Stage
3:30-5 p.m. | Con Brio, Main Stage
5-6 p.m. | Lizano, First Street Stage
6-8 p.m. | Orgone, Main Stage
Aug. 14
3-4 p.m. | Funk Assassination, First Street Stage
3:30-5 p.m. | Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, Main Stage
5-6 p.m. | Funk Assassination, First Street Stage
6-8 p.m. | Rebirth Brass Band, Main Stage
