The 2012 seasons for the Levitt Shell in Memphis’ Overton Park opened with the Stooges Brass Band from New Orleans. The youthful band brings a hip-hop street edge to traditional New Orleans brass-band music, and there are enough NOLA residents in Memphis that there was soon a small group of second-liners in front of the stage, decked out in full regalia, complete with decorated umbrellas in true New Orleans style. They were just as amazing here in Memphis as they were in Oxford, MS in February. If you missed them, keep up with them at http://www.stoogesmusicgroup.com/ or like them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/stoogesbrassbandpage. They play most Thursdays at the Hi-Ho Lounge on North Claiborne Avenue in the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans, and believe me, it’s worth the drive to see them there.
