Tuba Skinny are a globe-trotting jazz phenomenon, channeling the upbeat sounds of 1920 New Orleans, the eight piece are the closest you’re going to come to that old fashioned New Orleans sound without access to a time machine.
After moving to New Orleans, all with the desire to play music, Tuba Skinny formed when the individual members met on the streets and began busking together before heading out on the road around the United States. Originally known as the ‘Dead Man Street Orchestra’, the group travelled riding freight trains and making music wherever they went.
Ahead of their fourth Australian visit we chatted with the band about who they believe to be the most important acts from (one of the biggest music capitals of the world) New Orleans. Don’t miss these guys when they tour nationally and play Caloundra Music Festival and Melbourne Festival this month.
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King James and the Special Men
“Rock and roll was invented in New Orleans and began as R&B. Countless amazing groups from around the early 50s onwards played in the distinctive New Orleans style. Today there are very few bands playing in that style. For more than a decade, King James and the Special Men have been holding down Monday nights at BJs in the Ninth Ward. Everyone in the band has spent late late Monday nights dancing to this band.”
Rebirth Brass Band
“Brass bands have always been a large part of New Orleans culture. Rebirth Brass band was one of the first to make brass music relevant for a new generation. They incorporated elements of funk,hip hop, and other popular music into music that was still un-mistakenly New Orleans. What they started has been continued by many great bands like the Stooges, Young Fellas, Hot 8 and many more. They are also involved in the Roots of Music project, which teaches young people in New Orleans to play horns.”
Big Freedia
“Bounce music is a big part of the modern culture of New Orleans music and dance. It is live music usually performed with an MC and DJ. Its got repetitive beats meant to incite you into an ass shaking frenzy! Big Freedia has been on the fore front of the popularization of this music, taking it outside of New Orleans and sharing it with the world.”
The Deslondes
“The Deslondes (once the Tumbleweeds) is a band of transplants playing original tunes influenced by country, soul, and R&B. They’ve been playing in New Orleans for years and are a fixture of campfire music gatherings.”
Jelly Roll Morton
“In New Orleans, more than any other place, the people that have died continue to actively influence the music being made today. Jelly Roll played in Storyville brothels, and, after jazz became popular, put together tightly arranged ensembles in cities all over the US. He may not have invented jazz, as he claimed, but he led bands playing his tightly arranged tunes in a way that didn’t hamper their creativity.”
Shotgun Jazz Band
“Shotgun Jazz Band is one of the most exciting bands playing in the traditional style in New Orleans today. The trumpet is strong and dirty, the banjo exciting, and the band always plays together, rather than just playing the notes. Members of Tuba Skinny have played with them from time to time. Theres a lot more bands playing “revival” jazz post-Katrina, and Shotgun is one of our favourites.”
The Drunken Catfish Ramblers
“This is a group of fellow street musicians who have made New Orleans their home in recent years. They are a string band/jug band of sorts playing renditions of early jazz, delta blues and old mountain string band tunes in a very straight forward, refreshing and soulful way. Its Music that makes you want to dance. They have been an inspiration to us and we like to play in each others bands from time to time. Recently Greg, their guitar player and vocalist, has become a more permanent fixture in our lineup. They are one of our favourite bands!”
Tuba Skinny Australian Tour Dates
Saturday October 4 – The Zoo, Brisbane, QLD
Thursday October 9 – The Heritage Hotel, Bulli, NSW
