New Orleans’ own “Hot 8 Brass Band” Kicks it Up at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Friday, February 19, at 8 p.m
The Hot 8 Brass Band is a New Orleans-based group of musicians who blend hip-hop, jazz and funk styles with the traditional sounds of New Orleans brass. They will bring their amazing sounds to The Ridgefield Playhouse on Friday, February 19, 8 p.m. Prior to their concert, at 7:30 p.m., you’ll have a chance to talk with members of the band about life for musicians post-Katrina.
As the featured band in SAVE OUR BRASS!, a Hurricane Katrina relief project, Hot 8 Brass Band brought their unique, energetic New Orleans sound to evacuee shelters, temporary trailer parks and other disaster-stricken communities. The concert is part of the Danbury Audi Jazz Series with media sponsor WSHU-FM. The show is funded in part by the Expeditions program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Tour Program and the American Masterpieces initiative, with additional support from the six New England state arts agencies.
Performing in festivals, parades and clubs up and down the Northeast and internationally, founding members Bennie Pete, Jerome Jones and Harry Cook have earned a reputation for unceasingly uplifting souls everywhere they play. Following Hurricane Katrina, the Hot 8 Brass Band members, like most New Orleanians, were scattered throughout the country. On September 15th, 2005, two weeks after the storm, the band regrouped, helping to initiate the SAVE OUR BRASS! Project. The Hot 8 Brass Band continued their efforts to provide hope and healing for those impacted by the storm through the Finding Our Folk Tour, traveling to eight cities in four consecutive weekends during January and February 2006. The tour successfully connected young people and adults from around the country with the plight of people and families directly impacted by the storm.
For tickets ($50, $45) and further information about The Ridgefield Playhouse, call the box office at 203-438-5795; adult tickets may be also purchased online at www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Playhouse is at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.
