Rebirth Brass Band was founded in 1983 by the Frazier brothers in New Orleans, initially as a street band playing for tips in the French Quarter. They absorbed the innovations of the Dirty Dozen while maintaining a stronger connection to the traditional second-line sound, developing a style that became the foundation of the modern New Orleans brass band.
Their Tuesday night residency at the Maple Leaf Bar became one of the most celebrated recurring events in New Orleans music — a weekly second-line party that has drawn visitors from around the world for decades. The residency is as much a community event as a musical performance.
"We play for the people. That's what brass band music is. It belongs to the streets, to the neighborhood, to everyone."
— Rebirth Brass Band
Rebirth's Grammy Award for Best Regional Roots Music Album in 2012 for Rebirth of New Orleans recognized a band that had been one of the essential live acts in American music for nearly three decades. They had toured extensively and recorded prolifically while maintaining their deep roots in the New Orleans community.
The band remains active, performing regularly in New Orleans and touring worldwide. Their commitment to the second-line tradition while incorporating contemporary influences makes them one of the most important ongoing artistic projects in the city.
