The Rebirth Brass Band, formed in 1983 in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a seminal group in the modern brass band tradition, blending second-line parade music with funk, jazz, and hip-hop. The band was founded by high school students from Joseph S. Clark Senior High School in the Tremé neighborhood, led by trumpeter Kermit Ruffins and tuba player Philip Frazier. Growing up in Tremé, a historic African-American community, the band members were steeped in New Orleans’ second-line culture, where brass bands play for parades, funerals, and celebrations. Many, including Frazier, came from musical families; his brother Keith played bass drum and their father was a community musician.
The band’s introduction to music came through school marching bands and community events. At Clark High, band director Donald Richardson mentored them, teaching discipline and traditional brass band repertoire. They were inspired by older groups like the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, which modernized the second-line sound. Rebirth began playing for neighborhood second lines and social aid and pleasure club parades, honing their high-energy style. Their name, “Rebirth,” reflected their mission to revitalize the brass band tradition for a new generation.
Their breakthrough came in the late 1980s with performances at local venues like the Maple Leaf Bar and Tipitina’s. In 1989, they released their debut album, Feel Like Funkin’ It Up, on Rounder Records, which captured their infectious energy and gained national attention. The title track became a second-line anthem. Rebirth’s innovative blend of traditional brass with funk and jazz influences expanded their audience, leading to tours across the U.S. and Europe. They won a Grammy in 2012 for The Rebirth of New Orleans. Still active, Rebirth remains a cornerstone of New Orleans culture, performing regularly at festivals and inspiring younger bands like the Soul Rebels.
