Hopefully soon you plan on doing some Mardi Gras partying at Middle C! While the elements of the celebration are slowly but surely reaching beyond New Orleans, we at Middle C have long known the significance of the event, and more importantly, the music!

A lot of folks forget jazz originated directly from the New Orleans brass bands, W.C. Handy and the funeral marches, that second-line rhythm before brass bands morphed into Big Bands and then small-group Bebop. So, while some thought a New Orleans style brass ensemble at Middle C seemed like a pleasant novelty, we knew what they meant to jazz history, and we knew if we were going to have one, it needed to be the best one we could find.

Enter the Soda City Brass Band.

Anyone who has been around Middle C since the very beginning in 2019/2020 knows how much the club (and its patrons) loves to party! Well, the Soda City Brass Band was there at the start, the first Mardi Gras in 2020 so to speak, right before Covid made going out and seeing live music difficult for a while.

For those unaware, the Soda City Brass Band is the premier New Orleans-style brass band in the area. Based in the Midlands of South Carolina, the band was founded in Columbia, SC, by drummer Chris Church and trumpeter Mark Rapp and brings the high-energy, infectious sound of the Louisiana streets to the Southeast. Known for blending traditional New Orleans brass band music with contemporary flair, the band draws inspiration from iconic brass groups like the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Soul Rebels, Rebirth Brass Band, and Preservation Hall.

While the group performs a wide range of music, including covering classic brass band tunes the band also incorporates some of their own original compositions. Their 2020 Famously Hot New Year’s premiere, “Euphoria” has seen a solid positive reception during their performances. As expected, the band’s shows are often characterized by a festive, “Fat Tuesday” atmosphere, bringing a lively, party-like, crowd-participatory vibe to wherever they perform. Their sound, rooted in the rich tradition of New Orleans, features a dynamic front line of brass instruments and a driving, rhythmic percussion section.

As they have proven during their shows at Middle C, The Soda City Brass Band continues to be a staple of any festive event, delivering a no-holds-barred, high-energy party experience. They are a must-see for anyone looking for authentic, energetic brass band music in the region.

Bon Ton Roulet!

Don’t miss a jazz celebration steeped in history at Middle C Jazz on February 17.

Article written by Middle C Jazz Marketing Support, Scott Homewood

The New Orleans-Style Negroni

Dresslers Improv Kitchen at Middle C Jazz is ready to celebrate with you!

SPECIAL OF THE WEEK:
A sophisticated blend of gin, sweet vermouth, and bitter Campari, finished with absinthe, a subtle New Orleans twist to mirror the bold, complex layers of a jazz brass band at Mardi Gras. It’s a bittersweet classic that hits every note, served over ice for a smooth, rhythmic finish.