Free Agents Brass Band

Neworleansmusicians.net caught up with band manager Terrance King, member of Under The Bridge Management Group, and got the inside scoop on the origin and direction of New Orleans' own Free Agents Brass Band. The band was actually the brain child of Ellis Joseph, the band leader, who founded the group back in September of '05. Joseph had evacuated to Atlanta during Hurricane Katrina, but still managed to maintain contact with several musicians in the area from New Orleans. Many people were calling him looking for gigs. "The people wanted to hear that sound. They were calling him looking for a band. He didn't have a band, but he knew he had several guys in the city that were looking for work. He put those guys together to make this gig and that gig. And he finally said… You know what, we need to start something", said King. Musicians that play for hire are commonly referred to as 'free agents'. So it was only fitting that he named the band Free Agents Brass Band. They continued playing gigs around Atlanta and eventually made it back to New Orleans by February '06.

Three of the original members went their own way, 5 original members stayed, and 4 new members came on board. A lot of these guys have played in Rebirth Brass Band, The Hot 8 Brass Band, Little Rascals Brass Band, and the Little Stooges Brass Band. So their sound is essentially a culmination of that brass band sound that only comes from New Orleans. How they got started, coupled with their aim to address local community issues, is why King feels the Free Agents Brass Band sets themselves apart from the rest. With song titles like "Stop The Violence" and "Made It Through That Water", the bands message definitely hits close to home.

With eight members and a manager, it's not easy living off of gigs alone. "We're not eating as much as we would like to, but we're grateful. You can catch us every Sunday at the Chocolate Bar, Friday 636 Restaurant in Gretna, we're still playing weddings and family reunions. But we're trying to take this thing world wide. This music is positive and you can't resist it", explained King. But the band still manages to expand their audience while playing for a cause. They recently performed in Brazil and will be performing at the Geneva Festival in Switzerland this year on April 23^rd. And the band was recently featured in "Trouble the Water", winner of several awards including best documentary at the Sundance Film Festival 2008. An interesting fact, the main character in the film, Kimberly Rivers Roberts, is actually a New Orleans native and fellow evacuee. You can see the trailer, find screenings, and even help take action at the link below.

The support is strong within the families of brass bands in New Orleans. "Just being in cahoots with other brass bands has given us a lot of work. We get work from Hot 8, and we get work from Rebirth. These guys are busy and this music is in demand. So we pay homage to these guys, they're like our big brothers. When they're over booked, they slide us gigs. We meet a lot of people just being in those circles". Keeping the money where it belongs, King turned to Piety Street Recording in the heart of New Orleans to complete their latest album, "Made It Through That Water". But since New Orleans lacks a major CD duplication company, he went with Oasis Disc Manufacturing with locations in Virginia, Washington, D.C., and New York. (Insert rant about how we need more music industry related businesses here!)

Currently, you can purchase Free Agents Brass Band CDs on their Myspace page, as well as at Louisiana Music Factory, Mushroom Records, Nothing But fire Records, Peaches Records, Record Check on Bayou Road, and at gigs. "We're looking for a big distribution deal. We'd love to get a national distribution deal though. If you read this article and that's your business, give me a call", added King. The band is eager to gain the interest and participation of the local community. They've obtained approval so that students can get college credits for music and management working with the band. And they are always looking for more street team members to distribute their t-shirts, stickers, and fliers. You can catch their music on 106.7, Q93, and WWOZ. Be sure and call the station to request songs currently in rotation like "Victory is Mine", and "Made it Through That Water". Those requests are what keep these bands on the air waves. And please take advantage of the links below. Special thanks goes out to T King for taking the time to meet with N.O.M.!

Free Agents Brass Band

www.myspace.com/freeagentsbrassband

The Bridge Management Group

Terrance King, managing member

freeagentsbrassband@yahoo.com

504-812-7322

www.myspace.com/thebridgemanagementgroup

Trouble the Water

www.troublethewaterfilm.com

Rebirth Brass Band

www.myspace.com/rebirthbrassband

Da Truth Brass Band,

www.myspace.com/datruthbrassband1

The Hot 8 Brass Band

www.myspace.com/hot8brassband

Soul Rebels Brass Band

www.myspace.com/soulrebelsbrassband

Piety Recording Studios

www.pietystreet.com/

Oasis CD Duplicators

www.oasisCD.com

Written by: David Trahan for Neworleansmusicians.net