FLAGSHIP OF NEW ORLEANS
When people talk New Orleans, they don’t talk about the architecture. They talk about the music, that special brand of funk and jazz, dripping with brass, known all over the world for infusing dancefloors with contagious, irresistible rhythm.
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band are the flagship of that New Orleans sound, but baritone sax player Roger Lewis says it's an honour to keep his musical heritage alive. When the band started their musical sojourn way back in 1977, funk music was king, and while that may have changed, The Dirty Dozen's feverish, foot-stomping popularity has not. They're still oozing with that groove ridden, double-smoked version of soul and funk that could only come from New Orleans.
To what degree has a show like ‘Treme’ lifted the profile of New Orleans music and the community in general?
It's great. It gives people work, which was big after Katrina, and still is. Also when something like that is on HBO, it brings the attention of the world to the great tradition of New Orleans, which has even helped out the tourist industry.
To an outsider, can you explain how important the second line parades are to the city?
The second line is a tradition that's been going on since before I was born. They were originally setup by the Benevolent Society groups for people who couldn't afford proper burials for family members. For those who don't know, the second line parades last about four hours. It's a big street party from block to block. The folks that follow, they are the second line. Everyone is dancing in the street, it's a big party.
As a New Orleans musician, it must be an honour to bring your city’s musical heritage to other parts of the world when you tour?
It's a real privilege and honour to bring your music to different parts of the world and know that people appreciate it around the world.
On the flipside, do you look to incorporate sounds or styles that are indigenous to the area you’re performing in - ie. would the didjeridu have a home on stage with the band?
We could definitely incorporate a didjeridu! I actually can do something on the baritone that sounds a little like it.
Looking back to the late ‘70s when the band started up; how did the group’s inclusion of funk and bebop styles into the traditional New Orleans sound shift the musical landscape?
We didn't shift the musical landscape ourselves, we just looked to bring these other styles into the New Orleans scene that was already going on.
What new styles of music do you draw inspiration, influence from?
Influenced by a lot of different styles, not one particular thing. Whatever we like at that time. Everything from gospel, marching music, standard jazz, Michael Jackson, bebop.
Over the past three, four decades you guys have collaborated with a host of music legends, not just from the jazz scene. Is there a particular collaboration that sticks in the memory bank?
Elvis Costello and Dizzy Gillespie are two that stick out.
You toured Brazil in August; any tour tales to regale us with?
I don't know if we can tell those stories here… I will say that we met one young lady who wanted to come back with us to the States, and her husband wasn't too happy about that!
The music industry has undergone radical changes since you guys started - musically and business wise - though the brass sound seems to be one that is timeless. Can you explain that?
Yeah, people aren't buying CDs but now they're downloading stuff - but the music is timeless, period. I think spiritual music stays around too, because of people's deep personal connection to it.
If you’re not nursing blistered feet and sweaty armpits after a Dirty Dozen Brass Band show, something has gone horribly wrong, right?
If the Dirty Dozen doesn't make you sweat, there's something wrong with YOU! Ain't nothing wrong with us. Like we always say at the end of our shows - we got music for your mind, body and your soul!
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band play the Bellingen Global Carnival, at the Bellingen Showgrounds September 30 - October 1. globalcarnival.com
