Sherpa's fosters ReBirth of brass

BRECKENRIDGE - If you didn't get enough of a Big Easy atmosphere on Fat Tuesday, ReBirth Brass Band fosters the feeling tonight.

Often hailed as the next best contemporary New Orleans ensemble playing in traditional marching tune style next to The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, the ReBirth Brass Band keeps the good times rolling with its signature heavy funk.

Birthed in 1983 from friends who all played in a marching band, the nine-piece band grew up on the streets of New Orleans, then graduated to performing in theaters and festivals worldwide. Last summer it played at the Breckenridge Music Festival. It has shared the stage with the Grateful Dead, the Meters, George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars and held its own for six weeks on a tour with Ani DiFranco.

Although the musicians stay true to traditional brass band sounds, the fusion of modern music draws in a younger generation.

The horn-heavy ensemble creates a layered sound with its three trumpets, two trombones, snare drum, bass drum, saxophone, tuba and vocals. Everyone in the band sings vocals, whether it's lead or background - and sometimes all nine members sing the lead.

Philip Frazier says the tuba leads the songs, and in his case, it has also led him around the world -from Germany to Damascus.

"(Audiences) love it," Frazier said. "In New Orleans, people don't appreciate it as much because they get brass band all the time."

The band's 10 albums point to the fact that people do indeed still like brass bands, whether live or recorded.

And tonight, Frazier plans to generate a party.

"Bring your dancing shoes my friends," he said. "It's going to be a good time."

See the Band • What: ReBirth brass band • When: Tonight • Where: Sherpa & Yeti's, Breckenridge