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 Jon 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 Radio 6 Music DJ Craig Charles, among other tastemakers, DJs and journalists worldwide. After a festive appearance Live at Maida Vale for Lauren Laverne (BBC Radio 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, the 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 continue to share their acclaimed releases. Albums such as 'Vicennial...', 'On The Spot' and 'Take Cover', are brought to the stage, honouring 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, was 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 added that “Bennie was an inspiration to the band and to many other musicians, and the entire musical and cultural community.” The dates celebrated the late Bennie’s “greatest wish... that New Orleans culture lives on for future generations”. This parade followed the success of the Mardi Gras 2020 and 'Take Cover' 2019 tours.
In 2024, the band hit the road again for the “Big Tuba Tour,” featuring dates across the West Coast of the United States.
