Rebirth Brass Band

http://www.myspace.com/rebirthbrassband

The group was founded in 1982 by tuba player Philip Frazier, his brother Keith Frazier and trumpeter Kermit Ruffins, along with other musicians with them at the Alfred Lawless High School in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans. The band was discovered at the 1982 Jazz festival and later recorded its first album in 1984.

Small group from the Rebirth playing for a parade, 2007Rebirth is known for combining traditional New Orleans brass band music, including the New Orleans tradition of second line with funk, jazz, and soul influences. In 1992, Ruffins and Rebirth split amicably after Ruffins decided not to accompany the band on a trip to Africa.

Ruffins later formed his own Band, the Barbecue Swingers, who play a more traditional style of New Orleans jazz music. Rebirth's longstanding regular Tuesday night gig at the Maple Leaf Bar on Oak Street in the Carrollton neighborhood of Uptown New Orleans is one of the pillars of the New Orleans music scene, and has served as a reliable introduction to the city's nightlife for many newly arrived college students.

The band regularly tours in North America and Europe, second only to the Dirty Dozen Brass Band in popularity and acclaim among the brass bands of New Orleans.

REBIRTH BRASS BAND MEMBERS

PHIL FRAZIER -------------------------- TUBA (BAND LEADER)

KEITH FRAZIER ------------------------ BASS DRUM

DERRICK TABB ------------------------ SNARE DRUM

DERRICK SHEZBIE------------------- TRUMPET

GLEN ANDREWS---------------------- TRUMPET

STAFFORD AGEE--------------------- TROMBONE

COREY HENRY------------------------- TROMBONE

VINCENT BROUSSARD-------------- SAXOPHONE

BYRON (FLEE) BERNARD---------- SAXOPHONE