On New Orleans Brass a veritable who's who of contemporary New Orleans musicians and vocalists demonstrate why the city continues to be one of the world's most vibrant musical centers. Throughout the years, New Orleans brass bands developed a musical culture unlike any other, with a special march-and-dance rhythm that has flavored all New Orleans music including rhythm and blues, jazz and funk. The New Orleans brass tradition experienced a dramatic renaissance in the 1950s and 60s, as traditional jazz bands proliferated, and a new breed of brass band -- one that added R&B sounds -- began to tour the world. Out of that renaissance came the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, one of the city's most celebrated musical ambassadors. They are featured here with Dr. John on "It's All Over Now." In the early 1980s, a younger generation joined the second brass revival when Kermit Ruffins and a group of his high-school friends founded the renowned Rebirth Brass Band.
Unique to this collection is John Boutté's moving version of the spiritual "I'll Fly Away," recorded especially for this release. The Preservation Hall Hot 4 provides their rendition of "Dinah" and The Dukes of Dixieland deliver their version of the New Orleans classic "When the Saints Go Marching In."
The enhanced CD includes a video for "Do They Play Jazz in Heaven?" featuring Ingrid Lucia, Irvin Mayfield and other New Orleans stars.
