Dirty Dozen Brass Band

Since the earliest days of brass instruments, brass ensembles of some type have often been involved in popular music in some way. Whether they were part of Renaissance dance music, Civil War regimental brass bands, dixieland bands, part of big bands of the Swing Era, or rock and roll, brass ensembles have proven to be a versatile and sometimes unique addition to popular music.

Here is the Apple Music playlist called Brass Ensembles in Popular Music which I played from today. It ranged from Pink Floyd and the Beatles, to Tower of Power and David Byrne . Please share links to any videos or recordings of brass ensembles that fit withing this category. 

For more visuals, here is a related YouTube playlist I created. It includes the full versions of the videos viewed in class today, including everything from Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass, Pink Floyd, Chicago, Chase, Tower of Power, Blood Sweat and Tears, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Banda El Recodo and the Roots. If you enjoyed these videos, please watch the full versions on YouTube. 

As I mentioned in class, I think it's important to recognize all genres of brass ensemble music and I encourage you to learn more about these styles and if you are ever offered the chance to play with a an ensemble like this, seize the opportunity. Not only is if really fun to play "toe tapping" music for enthusiastic crowds, but it will help you become a more well-rounded musician.