Whether seen on HBO’s Treme or at their legendary Tuesday night gig at The Maple Leaf, Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band is a true New Orleans institution. Formed in 1983 by the Frazier brothers, the band has evolved from playing the streets of the French Quarter to playing festivals and stages all over the world. While committed to upholding the tradition of brass bands, they’ve also extended themselves into the realms of funk and hip-hop to create their signature sound. “Rebirth can be precise whenever it wants to,” says The New York Times, “but it’s more like a party than a machine. It’s a working model of the New Orleans musical ethos: as long as everybody knows what they’re doing, anyone can cut loose.” In the wake of the sometimes- stringent competition amongst New Orleans brass bands, Rebirth is the undisputed leader of the pack, and they show no signs of slowing down.

Roxy Roca sonically flexes its muscle on saxophone and trombone, complimented by tasty guitar licks and deep pocket grooves. The music serves as a vehicle for Cannon’s lyrics that touch on a range of topics which include the struggles of love in its many forms as well as social consciousness. In contrast, on a couple of songs the lyrics reflect the lighter side of life because it’s far too short to not have a sense of humor.