Event

The Empire Strikes Brass

Born on the streets of Asheville, NC, Empire Strikes Brass has been exciting fans around the world with their unique and dynamic approach. Since their formation in 2013, ESB intentionally stretches the boundaries of the stereotypical brass band paradigm, fusing sounds from around the globe. Arrangement and the writing process is a collaborative band effort, taking multiple genres of music and weaving them together through the horn section. The diversity present is what makes ESB unique. There are definite nods to Old School Funk, Ska, Southern Rock, Alt Country, Hip Hop, Boogaloo and New Orleans Jazz. Expect face melting guitar solos, soul shaking synthesizer solos, lush vocal harmonies, powerful moving drums, thick nasty bass, hypnotically rhythmic keys and wall to wall horn power. Very few brass bands are able to fuse so many styles and array of technique into their work, but Empire Strikes Brass makes it happen again and again.

ESB is thrilled to announce the release of its debut album, Theme For A Celebration, dropping Friday, February 3, 2017. The album celebrates the bands love for brass instrumentation while drawing inspiration from different musical styles and influences. Throughout the bands evolution, Empire Strikes Brass has developed its own unique sound that evolved from a traditional New Orleans Brass band to a BrassFunkRock band with no limitations. They can share a world of high energy music in one setting that is packed full of flavor. In 2016 they played multiple festivals, had the pleasure of having Warren Haynes sit in with them at New Mountain Amphitheater in Asheville, celebrated the life of Dizzy Gillespie for the fourth year in a row in his hometown of Cheraw, SC, for the South Carolina Jazz and Heritage Festival, co-billed with Dr. John & Lettuce and even paraded hundreds of folks to a secret stage late night at the Big What? Festival. Empire Strikes Brass is now primed to take things to the next level on the national and international scenes with their eclectically evolved sound.