Tuesday, April 19, 2011

The Dirty Dozen

The main theme for my blogs has been "ethnic" brass bands that represent a style hailing from a certain part of the world. I forgot this could include America. The famous Dirty Dozen revolutionized the "New Orleans" brass band style, forming in 1977 and taking hip-hop and funk influences into their music.

The rehearsals in their early years were not geared towards gigs. People were just interested in learning the chord progressions and players brought in anything they wanted for the group to read. This relaxed atmosphere fostered the funk influences, and led them to play lots of jaz standards many light-hearted pieces such as the Flintstones theme.

The Dirty Dozen sparked a resurgence of interest in New Orleans style brass bands, and inspired the creation of bands such as Youngblood Brass Band and the Rebirth Brass Band.

Listening:
"My Feet Can't Fail Me Now"
"I Shall Not Be Moved"

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