The Young Tuxedo Brass Band

In the '80s, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band introduced a new generation of listeners to a New Orleans brass band tradition that had its origins in the Civil War era. They weren't the first to revive the genre, however. Indeed, it never really went away in the first place. Groups like the Excelsior, Eureka, Reliance, and Onward brass bands kept the genre alive in the first half of the 20th century; the Young Tuxedo Brass Band picked up the torch in the late '30s and early '40s. Founded by trumpeter John Casimir in 1938, the Young Tuxedo Brass Band (not to be confused with Papa Celestin's Tuxedo Brass Band from the '10s and '20s) helped rejuvenate the tradition in the years after World War II. The group usually numbered between nine and 11 musicians -- a typical configuration was two trumpets, two trombones, two reeds, tuba, snare drum, and bass drum. The band first recorded in 1958 for Atlantic Records; notable among its members was the legendary drummer Paul Barbarin. Casimir led the group until his death in 1963. Saxophonist/clarinetist Herman Sherman led the band from 1971 until his death in 1984. Under his leadership, the band toured the U.S.A. and performed abroad. The band remained Sherman's primary vehicle through the '70s and early '80s, and recorded the album Jazz Continues in 1983. Trumpeter Gregg Stafford led a re-formed version of the band in the late '90s. Under Stafford, the band performed at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival as recently as 2002. ~ Chris Kelsey, All Music Guide