The story of the Grammy nominated Hot 8 Brass Band is one of trials and tribulations, but also of triumphs over adversity and a determination to continue on. Over the past 20 plus years, the band has carried on despite Hurricane Katrina, a band member losing both of his legs in a car accident, and the deaths of four band members.
Tuba player Bennie Pete, the leader of the Hot 8, sat down with host George Ingmire at the Howlin Wolf in New Orleans, where the band holds down a weekly Sunday night gig when they’re not on tour. And they talked about everything from the early days of the band, rehearsing for a neighborhood audience in Shakespeare Park uptown, to how they established themselves in the city’s blossoming brass band scene.
Hot 8 Brass Band – “Jisten To Me (music bed)”
Bob French and the Storyville Jazz Band – “Just a Closer Walk (music bed)”
Tuba Fats – “Those Were the Days (music bed)”
Dirty Dozen Brass Band – “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) (music bed)”
Hot 8 Brass Band – “Royal Garden Blues (music bed)”
Hot 8 Brass Band – “Rock With The Hot 8”
Hot 8 Brass Band – “Love Don’t Live Here (music bed)”
Hot 8 Brass Band – “Sexual Healing”
Hot 8 Brass Band – “Just My Imagination (music bed)”
The Specials – “Ghost Town (music bed)”
Hot 8 Brass Band – “Ghost Town”
Doc Paulin’s Marching Band – “We Shall Walk Through the Streets of the City – March (music bed)”
Hot 8 Brass Band – “We Shall Walk Through the Streets of the City”
Blind Boys of Alabama with Hot 8 Brass Band – “I’ll Fly Away”
Bo Dollis and the Wild Magnolias – “Shoo-Fly (music bed)”
Hot 8 Brass Band – “New Orleans After The City”
Hot 8 Brass Band – “We Are the One (Natural Self Remix) (music bed)”
Hot 8 Brass Band – “Homies (Radio Edit) (music bed)”
Hot 8 Brass Band – “Skeet Skeet (music bed)”
NEW ORLEANS CALLING is a production of WWOZ, listener-supported community radio in the Crescent City.
George Ingmire is the host, writer, editor, interviewer, audio engineer, intrepid field recorder, and co-producer.
Dave Ankers is the producer.
Melanie Merz is the supervising producer.
National distribution managed by Lily Wasserman.
Web support by David Stafford.
And thanks to:
Sally Young and Melanie Merz for their voice talents.
Photo of Hot 8 Brass Band, 2012, by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee rhrphoto.com
Tell us what you think — send email to newsorleanscalling@wwoz.org!
