Hot 8 Brass Band – Big Tuba (Vinyl)

The ‘Big Tuba’ album marks the return of the Hot 8 Brass Band with their first new project since 2019, it features the singles “Big Tuba”, and their cover of Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine”.

The album title is a heartfelt tribute to Bennie Pete, the band’s co-founder and sousaphone player: “On September 6 2021, we, the Hot 8 Brass Band, lost our beloved bandleader, Bennie Pete. He was more than just our leader; he was a constant galvanising force within our own family of fellow musicians and beyond. Bennie was a rock in our lives. Yes, he was a leader, a teacher, and a mentor. More than that, Bennie was an inspiration to our band and to many other musicians, and the entire musical and cultural community. He helped each and every one of us, from our horn players to the folks dancing in the second lines and to the entire New Orleans community, during the most difficult and darkest times. Bennie helped all of us endure, to heal by encouraging us to continue to play our music despite any adversities.”

With nine tracks on vinyl, and “Let’s Stay Together” also available digitally, this album delves into the traditional jazz heritage of their hometown of New Orleans. The release includes a special 3-color A-Side/B-Side vinyl, a 12” poster insert, and an exclusive 7” featuring Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing (Bossman Edit)” and Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together”.

The band will be touring the US East Coast, Europe, the UK, and Ireland in February, March and April as part of the Big Tuba Tour, following a series of dates along the US West Coast. This tour builds on the success of their previous sold-out tours, including the Bossman Tour (2023), Mardi Gras (2020), and Take Cover (2019), which featured sold-out shows at venues like London’s Roundhouse and Brighton Dome.