Spotlight on the Stooges Brass Band

Organized in 1996 and led by Walter Ramsey, the Stooges Brass Band has taken its street-smart mash-up of traditional New Orleans brass band jazz and hip hop beats to stages and parades across the U.S. and in Asia, South America and Europe. The 10-man band is especially popular at festivals and has appeared at such prestigious gatherings as South by Southwest, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, High Sierra Music Festival and the Great American Brass Band Festival. The Stooges have a regular Thursday night local gig at the Hi-Ho Lounge (which band members manage and plan to purchase) and also play steadily throughout the Crescent City. In 2010, the band won the Red Bull Street Kings competition and was showcased in a Documentary Channel program about the event. The Stooges Brass Band, which honed its chops and attitude at many a “second line” parade at home in New Orleans, released its debut album, It’s About Time, in 2003.

They will lead a street parade on Saturday and Sunday as well as take the Main Stage both days.These videos will give you a taste of their performance style on stage and on the street.