Rebirth Brass Band hit Austin at The Belmont on Nov. 26. Mikah Shalom and The Babylonians started things on a Roots Reggae vibe, with some Fela Kuti inspired sprinkles on the side, to get the crowd’s blood pumping in preparation for Rebirth. Β
Hitting the stage with possibly the shortest introduction known to man, Rebirth made it clear they did not come to mince words as the eight-man band blasted The Belmont with the trademark sound that could only come from New Orleans. Β Β
Rebirth blasted The Belmont with the trademark sound that could only come from New Orleans.
The band consists of two trombones, two trumpets, a sax, a tuba, a snare, and a bass drum. They made sure that bodies were in motion and stayed that way. Β It’s no wonder they were tapped for the HBO series TremΓ© and have a shiny Grammy Award. Β
Founded in 1983, Rebirth has a reputation, and it shows. Bodies filled the venue, bordering on uncomfortably packed. Β The band ran through many originals and standards, even giving the well renowned Ray Charles tune I Got A WomanΒ the big brass treatment, not to mention interpolating the Westcoast Luniz classic, I Got Five On It, bridging the past and the present with great results.
These brothers recognize the need for the party: maintaining a self-aware, salt of the earth presence, never taking themselves too seriously, but providing a flawless presentation. Β The attendance was mixed with avid fans and newcomers alike, all joined together for the same purpose: to get down. Β And get down they all did. Β They kept the party going like Jesus at a wedding through their two-hour set. Rebirth barely stopped and kept the breaks to a minimum with the understanding that the party is a marathon, not a sprinting race.