Danville’s 34th Great American Brass Band Festival is less than three months away and the musical lineup for 2024 includes several exciting additions.
The following is a preview of the bands you can experience from Thursday, May 30-Saturday June 1 during the free, three-day festival.
For more details about the festival, click here.
No BS! Brass
If you like funk, hip-hop, jazz and pop, this Richmond, Virginia-based band is one not to miss. With songs like 3am Bounce and Brass Knuckles, along with their takes on songs like Take on Me!, Thriller and Everybody Wants to Rule The World, they will have people grooving in their seats and dancing in the street.
Click here to see what you are in for.
Lucky Chops
They got their first break in New York City… in the subways! If you’ve ever seen any of Lucky Chops’ videos, you’ll be familiar with their underground busking, some crazy outfits and hair, and a whole lot of fun as they belt out tunes like Funkytown, Stand by Me and lots of other high-energy brassy funk. Their videos have received hundreds of millions of views and they’ve performed live in more than 25 countries. Don’t miss your chance to see and experience Lucky Chops.
Watch Lucky Chops getting down in the subways of New York – click here.
McNasty Brass Band
Hailing from Minneapolis–Saint Paul, but infused with the spirit of New Orleans, this collection of horn players and percussionists put on high-energy shows that will make it hard for you to just sit still and listen.
Experience the “McNasty Boys” in action by clicking here.
Baja Yetis
The Baja Yetis “serve up a funk based soul stew that is sure to get you on your feet and take you to your happy place.” They’ve been entertaining crowds for years at events like the Moonshiners Ball and the Holler in the Holler Musicians Memorial Concert Series.
202nd Army Band
Since 1775, Army bands like the 202nd Army Band have served to promote the country’s national interests, representing the military in parades, concerts, festivals, holiday celebrations and more. The 202nd is no stranger to the Great American Brass Band Festival. Enjoy their patriotic presentation, sure to be delivered with military precision.
Cincy Brass
“N’awlins Soul Meets Cincinnati Funk” – That is the way The Cincy Brass describes themselves. This 9-piece brass band has the essence of Bourbon St, funk, hip-hop, and jazz all wrapped into an epic explosion of sound and passion. Whether it be an original off of their upcoming debut album, a mind-blowing twist on a cover of a pop hit (Beyonce, James Brown, Def Leppard, Lady Gaga, George Michaels, etc), or an old time N’awlins street music hit, The Cincy Brass delivers a performance that can’t be duplicated.
Cincinnati Brass Band
Since 1993, the Cincinnati Brass band has been entertaining audiences, performing traditional British brass band music, with cornets played instead of trumpets and Eb alto horns taking the place of French horns. Expect traditional American marches and classics, movie and showtime favorites, and competition music.
Empire Strikes Brass
This dynamic BrassFunkRock band from Asheville, North Carolina performs music that resonates with a powerful message delivered through a captivating and larger-than-life sound. Fueled by a thumping rhythm section that sets the groove, the band’s rich horn arrangements, performed by a robust horn section, add an extra layer of depth to both their original compositions and compelling covers, showcasing the evolution of ESB. They’re a band you won’t forgot.
Nasty Nati Brass Band
Self described as a “socially conscious New Orleans second line inspired brass band with our own jazz, fusion, funk and soulful sound.” They’ve performed at the brass band festival before and if you saw them, you’ll likely be ready to see them again.
Mariachi De Kentucky
With roots in west-central Mexico, mariachi music is known to include the vihuela (a five-string guitar), the guitarrón (a large, fretless six-string bass guitar), a standard six-string acoustic guita, and violins and trumpets (there’s the brass!). Mariachi De Kentucky brings a different type of brass to the festival, so get ready for a musical journey from south of the border.
Circle City Sidewalk Stompers
If you’ve ever been to the brass band festival, you know all about “The Clown Band”, which has been performing since 1976 and features trombones, trumpets, saxophones, drums and everyone’s favorite sousaphone Otis. You’ll be in a party mood as soon as they start playing.
Other Bands
Along with all these bands, this year’s festival will also include performances by Lexington Chamber Brass, Sacred Winds Ensemble, Friends Big Band, and The Swells.
For a schedule of performances and additional details about the 2024 Great American Brass Band Festival, click here.
