Fort Mose Jazz and Blues Series - The Dirty Dozen Brass Band

with Sierra Green and The Giants

Celebrating over 45 years since their founding in 1977, the GRAMMY Award-winning New Orleans-based Dirty Dozen Brass Band has taken the traditional foundation of brass band music and incorporated it into a blend of genres,including bebop jazz, funkandR&B/soul.

This unique sound, described by the band as a “musical gumbo”,has allowed the Dirty Dozen to tour across fivecontinents and more than thirtycountries, record twelvestudio albums and collaborate with a range of artists from Modest Mouse to Widespread Panic to Norah Jones. Forty-fiveplus years later, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band is a world-famousmusic machine whose name is synonymous with genre-bending romps and high-octane performances.

Roger Lewis -Baritone Sax/Vocals
Gregory Davis -Trumpet/Vocals
Kirk Joseph -Sousaphone
Trevarri Huff-Boone -Tenor Sax/Vocals
Stephen Walker -Trombone/Vocals
Julian Addison -Drums
Takeshi Shimmura -Guitar

THE HISTORY OF THE DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND

In 1977, The Dirty Dozen Social Aid and Pleasure Club in New Orleans began showcasing a traditional Crescent City brass band. It was a joining of two proud, but antiquated, traditions at the time: social aid and pleasure clubs dated back over a century to a time when black southerners could rarely affordlife insurance, and the clubs would provide proper funeral arrangements. Brass bands, early predecessors of jazz as we know it, would often follow the funeral procession playing somber dirges, then once the family of the deceased was out of earshot, burstinto jubilant dance tunes as casual onlookers danced in the streets. By the late ’70s, few of either existed. The Dirty Dozen Social Aid and Pleasure Club decided to assemble this group as a house band, and over the course of these early gigs, the seven-member ensemble adopted the venue’s name: The Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

Sierra Green and The Giants

Sierra Green: A Modern Soul Luminary Rising from New Orleans’ Heart

Emerging as a vibrant musical force from the bustling streets of New Orleans, Sierra Green embodies a fusion of timeless soul with an irresistible contemporary allure, evoking the depth and grit of the genre’s raw essence. Revered as the “Queen of Frenchmen Street,” Sierra’s roots delve deep into the rich musical soil of the city’s 7th Ward-a historic breeding ground that nurtured legends such as Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney Bechet, and Allen Toussaint. Sierra’s musical destiny is woven into the tapestry of this storied neighborhood, where her voice resonated in the church choir from the tender age of eight.

Sierra’s artistic odyssey mirrors the resilience and profound soulfulness of her surroundings. Originating from humble beginnings, she captivated audiences along the iconic Frenchmen Street, eventually securing residencies in New Orleans’ most esteemed clubs. Here, she meticulously curated her band, The Giants, handpicking the city’s finest musicians to refine her distinctive sound and command the stage with an undeniable presence.

A transformative moment unfolded in Fall 2023 when Sierra, alongside The Giants, collaborated in the studio with the esteemed David Torkanowsky, a musical luminary synonymous with New Orleans. The outcome was a five-song collection showcasing Sierra’s artistry, revitalizing classics like The Meter’s “Break in the Road” and infusing her unique essence into David Shaw’s “Promised Land.” Tracks such as “One Thing” and “He Called Me Baby” resonate with emotional depth and unfiltered passion, marking Sierra’s trajectory-a burgeoning artist leaving an indelible imprint on the soul music landscape.

Further expanding her horizons, Sierra journeyed to Nashville, collaborating with producer and guitarist J.D. Simo, celebrated for his work with icons like Beyoncé, Stevie Nicks, and Jack White. These recording sessions promise to elevate her forthcoming debut album, infusing her captivating vocals with sultry guitar, potent horns, and infectious basslines-a nod to the legends of Detroit and Memphis as she forges her own path among contemporary torchbearers.

Sierra stands poised and primed, where each moment behind the microphone holds the promise of an unforgettable evening-an embodiment of soulful melodies and magnetic performances that leave audiences moved, captivated, and inspired. Sierra Green isn’t merely crafting music; she’s etching her legacy in the revered annals of musical history.

Gates: 6:00 PM

Ticket Prices: Ranging from: $49 - $99

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