The Soul Rebels Bring Explosive NOLA Brass Sounds to Portland (SHOW REVIEW/PHOTOS)

It’s been a rough couple months for the city of New Orleans. Legendary figures including Dr. John, Leah Chase, Dave Bartholomew, and Paul “Lil’ Buck” Sinegal to name a few, have passed on. But the important part, as evidenced by the celebratory parades and second lines that have followed each passing, is that the legacy of New Orleans culture lives on. The Soul Rebels have made a career of this, bringing the music and energy of New Orleans music to the world while also creating a bridge from brass band tradition to mainstream genres like hip-hop and pop. On Saturday, June 22nd, they brought the sound and legacy of New Orleans music to the Aladdin Theater in Portland, Oregon.

Playing in front of a criminally small crowd, the band knew they had one job: to get the people dancing. And while it was shameful on behalf of Portlanders not to turn out in droves, the band would treat the small crowd the same way they would an arena full of screaming fans. Opening up with a huge brassy instrumental, the 8-piece band launched into a double whammy of “Rebel Rock” – complete with a double trombone attack followed by ripping saxophone playing – and “We Rock The Party”, with the latter living up to its name and getting the audience dancing in unison with the band. Their offbeat, NOLA-flavored take on the Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” soared with a massively groovy trombone solo before the band dropped into a hip-hop jam with trumpeter Julian Gosin and trombonist Corey Peyton taking breaks from their instruments to tag team verses. One of their best known songs, “504”, paid tribute to the city they call home with the band letting the good times roll and getting into an impressive group shuffle. Other highlights in the set would include the band engaging in a lively chant on “Can You Feel The Beat?”, a ferocious double drum solo from snare player Lumar LeBlanc and percussionist Derrick “Oops” Moss, and a sousaphone-led cover of Phil Collins’ 80s classic “In The Air Tonight” that exploded into a full on sing-a-long.

Throughout their nearly two hour set, the Soul Rebels never relented as they showed focus and a fierce determination to keep the party going. It was clear from the booming applause that their joyous music, with its fusing of jazz, hip-hop, pop and even Latin sounds, was met with jubilant approval from the crowd. Legends of New Orleans may be passing on, but luckily for us, acts like the Soul Rebels are keeping the torch burning bright.

Photos by Arthur VanRooy

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