by Richard SkellyThe eight-member New Birth Brass Band are part of a long line in the New Orleans brass band tradition. But the group's relative youth means their music yields an eclectic set of musical genres. New Birth's members are all virtuosos who mix elements of blues, ragtime, gospel, funk, soul, rock and traditional Crescent City jazz into their sound. To date, the group has released one record, D-Boy, for the NYNO (New York/New Orleans) label.
The group was an offshoot of the Young Olympia Brass Band, a group formed in part by Milton Batiste in the 1980s. Lead trumpeter and vocalist James Andrews is joined on the recording by trumpeter Derrick Shezbie, (who's also carved out a niche for himself as a bandleader in his own right in New Orleans, ) tuba player Kerwin James, snare drummer Kerry Hunter, bass drummer Cayetano Hingle and trombonist Reginald Steward. Other musicians include Corey Henry on trombone and Mr. Action on percussion.
Andrews' background includes tenures in the Roots of Jazz Brass Band, formed by Danny Barker in the early 1980s. After a year as part of Barker's band, Andrews left to lead his own group, the All Star Brass Band, which included several of his brothers. Tuba player Kerwin James is the younger brother of Philip and Keith Frazier, who are part of the well-known Rebirth Brass Band.
Andrews has toured with everyone from Michelle Shocked to Wynton Marsalis, Danny Barker, Quincy Jones and Dizzy Gillespie as a sideman. His eclectic background is reflected on the recording, which includes covers like "Whoopin' Blues," "Jesus on the Main Line" and "Li'l Liza Jane."
The beauty of this hard-working crew is that they're mainstream enough to appeal to fans of traditional brass bands. Yet the eclectic range of styles incorporated into one of their live shows finds favor with younger fans as well.