The New Orleans-based Hot 8 Brass Band draw on the traditional jazz heritage of their hometown, alongside more modern styles, including elements of funk, hip hop, rap, and its local variation, “bounce.” The collective earned a win in the 64th Annual Grammy Awards 2022 for their feature on John Batiste’s ‘Album of The Year’, following the nomination of ‘The Life & Times Of…’ for ‘Best Regional Roots Album’ in 2013.

Transcending genres and trends, Hot 8 have performed and collaborated with the likes of Jon Batiste, Blind Boys of Alabama, Basement Jaxx and Alice Russell, and provided live support for Mos Def, Lauryn Hill and Mary J Blige. Since forming they have established a decade-long affiliation with actor/BBC 6Music DJ Craig Charles, among other tastemakers, DJs and journalists worldwide. After a festive appearance Live at Maida Vale for Lauren Laverne (BBC 6 Music), the Hot 8 Brass Band performed for Jools Holland’s annual Hootenanny on BBC Two to welcome in 2019. Later that year, after taking to the stage at the BRIT awards in February, Hot 8 Brass Band were invited on the European leg of George Ezra’s tour.

With multiple sell-out shows at London’s Roundhouse and Brighton’s Dome, Hot 8 continues to share their acclaimed releases. Albums such as ‘Vicennial…’, ‘On The Spot’ and ‘Take Cover’, are brought to the stage, honoring their city’s musical traditions, while forging their own powerful legacy. Mixing an old-school street brass approach with funkier currents and hip hop vocals, Hot 8’s magnificent originals are juxtaposed with fresh versions of Snoop Dogg, Stevie Wonder, The Specials and of course their anthemic take on Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing”.

The recent passing of Bennie Pete, the beloved co-founder and sousaphone player for the outfit, will be honoured in true New Orleans fashion with ‘The Bossman Tour 2023’, paying tribute to his “galvanizing force” as a “leader, teacher and mentor”. Fellow bandmates add that  “Bennie was an inspiration to [the] band and to many other musicians, and the entire musical and cultural community.”. The dates will celebrate the late Bennie’s “greatest wish.. that New Orleans culture lives on for future generations”. This parade follows the success of the Mardi Gras 2020 and ‘Take Cover’ 2019 tours.

The Jazztronauts are Staten Island NY’s funkiest fusion band. They are bassist Niall Sullivan, guitarist Tom Harden Jr.,saxophonist Kevin Edell,  trumpeter/pianist Jesse Blum, drummer Mike Kane, trombonist Shawn Rhoades and trumpeter Josh (J. Glaze) Glazer. In 2022, the band dropped the hard hitting, deep funk scorcher “When It Hits,” which caught the attention of Spotify’s “Instrumental Funk” playlist editors. The Jazztronauts recently opened for legendary Soul artist Lee Fields and the up and coming Party Funk Band from Philly Snacktime last September!  Their latest single “This Thing of Ours” has been met with international acclaim, and was recently pressed as the A-side to the band’s debut 45-available now from Nu-Tone Recordings!