The Hot 8 Brass Band promises its audiences an air of funk, energy and passion from their New Orleans street-style jazz music. The group, consisting of trombones, saxophones, trumpets, snare and bass drums, with featured tuba bass lines from their band leader, is bringing the jazz show to Columbia Theatre.
The performance will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 21, with tickets starting at $26 for general admission.
“It’s very fast paced and kind of rowdy. It’s a lot of fun,” said Roy Blackwood, interim director of Columbia Theatre. “From the clips that I’ve seen, people respond to them really well. I feel like it’s going to be a crowd pleaser that a lot of people will want to come and see.”
Founded in 1995 by three band members, the Grammy-nominated band plays the traditional Second Line parades, which are hosted each Sunday afternoon by Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs. The Hot 8 Brass Band has performed in the United Kingdom and has also appeared on television and radio for various shows including The Culture Show on BBC 2.
The Hot 8 Brass Band has recently begun touring nationally to perform their music.
“I think they decided to take their whole experience to the next level, and they got agency representation to help get their name out,” said Blackwood. “They just determined that this was the time in their career to reach a broader audience, and that’s why they got representation.”
Having been together for nearly two decades, the group of eight or nine players inevitably shifts and changes, though several of the current members have played together since high school. Following the deaths of four band members, the group now actively supports the anti-violence campaign “Silence is Violence” and “Finding Our Folk,” an organization which helps New Orleans locals recovering from Hurricane Katrina.  
Though there are many musicians and groups local to New Orleans, Blackwood explained that their national tour is what brought the band to his attention.
“It’s really only going to be the very best of what comes out of the city,” said Blackwood. “We have a certain level of quality that is associated with Columbia to uphold.”
The Columbia Theatre strives to reach many different demographics, including the younger generation. According to Blackwood, this performance targets college students as well as other young professionals.
“We’re also trying to appeal to a little bit younger crowd as well, so we’re mixing up the performances that all age groups will enjoy,” said Blackwood. “It’s really the energy that I’m wanting people to respond to here.”
For more information about the Hot 8 Brass Band, visit their website at hot8brassband.com. To purchase tickets, contact Columbia Theatre at 985-543-4371 or visit their website at columbiatheatre.org. The box office is open from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday and one hour before each show.