On the night of August 28, Brasshearts Brass Band performed at Chelsea’s Live along with supporting acts, Pocket Chocolate and Madmoiselle. Hailing from New Orleans, Louisiana, Brasshearts Brass Band has steadily been building themselves since 2017 as a new, emerging act in the city’s brass band, funk, and R&B scene. After the release of a few singles, and performances at events like Jazz Fest and numerous parades in New Orleans, the band dropped their first full-length effort “Heart of Gold” on July 15, 2024.Though a month and a half has passed since the drop, the release of an official debut record warrants celebration as the band continues to take to the stage with old and new tunes. The group has visited Baton Rouge a number of times, their live show at Chelsea’s was the latest of their crowd-pleasingly funky performances in southern Louisiana.
Madmoiselle was the first band to perform and gave the audience a slice of energetic, punky alternative rock, courtesy of frontwoman Madison Delacroix. Highlights included a rendition of Charli XCX’s “Girl, so confusing” and a cover of Demi Lovato’s “Heart Attack” which went along with their invigorating pop-punk tunes. Afterwards, the band Pocket Chocolate performed some big band funk similar to Brasshearts’. While not as heavy on brass instrumentation, the group’s modern sound gave the bassist and the guitarist room for some impressive flair which was as exciting as it was impressive. Once the two openers concluded, it was time for Brasshearts Brass Band to take center stage with their performance.
As with most of their public outings, the full ensemble consists of trombone players Miguel Seruntine and Jake Lodato, trumpeteers Collin Ledesma and Lee Lambert, saxophonists Will Green and James Plaisance, sousaphone player Ezra Schroeder and drummer Michael Silvestri. The band lacks bass or rhythm guitar unless they’re performing as a cover band, but each member manages to carry the rhythm in a way that’s both boisterous and harmonious. Many of the songs played consisted of material from their latest album, along with somecovers from big name brass bands such as Rebirth Brass Band and Hot 8 Brass Band. The group followed this grouping of songs with covers of Silk Sonic’s “Leave The Door Open” and D’Angelo’s “Spanish Joint”. Brasshearts Brass Band managed to flaunt their chemistry and understanding of their genre within each of the songs they performed.
The balance between each section of the band is crucial in their compositions and performances, and members all got their chance to show off their talent. The group works best when time is divided amongst the members before all coming together for a hook or a big finish to a track. Schroeder’s sousaphone and Silvestri’s drumming act collectively as the backbone of the group, providing rhythm and bass for the remaining members to lay the melody on top of. I found “Heart of Gold”, “The Grind”, the covers of both “Leave The Door Open” and “Spanish Joint” to be the best amongst the songs played and where the previously listed strong suits of the group came in full force.
Brasshearts Brass Band has slowly developed their following over the last few years to where venues such as Chelsea’s can get nicely packed with an audience in the mood for funky, soulful and enriching brass band songs.The venue was decently packed and became increasingly so as time went on. While not as chaotic as many of the metal acts Chelsea’s has welcomed in the past, Brasshearts Brass Band has displayed a performance that reinforces their status as a new, exciting brass band in New Orleans. An adherence to the genre’s traditional song structures, accompanied by an ensemble of talented musicians has allowed for wonderful production and a unique sound that is familiar yet playful and at times even explosive. There’s no doubt the group will be returning to Baton Rouge in the near future as they continue to perform throughout southern Louisiana, leaving audiences eager for more tunes.
