The celebrated Chicago brass ensemble that blends funk, jazz, hip hop and soul into its lively approach plays Grand Rapids’ Midtown tonight. The Local Spins interview.
Lowdown Brass Band: ‘A rich love of jazz music and funk music and soul music.’ (Photo/Anthony Evora)
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West Michigan will get a dose of brass magic tonight (Thursday), when Chicago-based LowDown Brass Band performs at Midtown in downtown Grand Rapids.
Billed as a “one-of-a-kind horn ensemble weaving the rhythm of the streets with conscious hip hop, reggae and soul,” the band aims to energize West Michigan fans with its multi-genre approach and positive vibes, according to trombonist and band manager Andrew Zelm.
“The band was formed about 10 years ago in Chicago, and you know, we’re all horn players, so what brought us all together was … a rich love of jazz music and funk music and soul music – music that really delights horn players,” Zelm said of the band that features Shane Jonas (vocals/trumpet), Anthony “Billa Camp” Evora (emcee/rapper), Lance Loiselle (sousaphone), Sam Johnson (trumpet), Matthew Davis and Zelm (trombone) and John Barbush (drums).
“So, the horns came together, highlighting those shared values. And also, being in the Chicago music scene as horn players, we all are still very much involved in [other musical projects]. But Lowdown was a way for us to sort of take charge creatively and create a group that was focused on horns, but wanted to go in a direction that we were searching for.”
LISTEN: LowDown Brass Band, “So Long”
Zelm noted that while they’re Chicago-based, fans shouldn’t assume any one particular sound from the group, which nearly sold out Midtown during its tour stop at the Grand Rapids venue last winter.
“Our main difference as a brass band is that we very much feature lead vocals in our music. A lot of brass bands are instrumental only, so they’re a bit of a ‘genre’ pull. A lot of the brass band tradition in the U.S. is built out of New Orleans,” Zelm explained.
Returning to Midtown: The band fired up the venue last winter. (Photo/Joshua Tufts)
“We all have a love of that music as well. And if you listen to our very early first record, it’s celebrated on there. But we sort of moved past that and wanted to find our own sound, and so we dive more into the hip hop, modern music focus of like funk and jazz and hip hop. Blending those three styles, and that’s where our emcee and leader singer come in.”
For its live performances, the band celebrates its latest album, “$itizens of the World,” as well as its earlier releases, “The Reel Sessions” and “LowDown Nights.” Zelm said the most reent release “really represents the sound of the band … and we can shine in different environments because of the genre-blending we do.”
One of the album tracks, “Call Me,” made a “best funk songs of 2023” Spotify playlist. Check out the video below.
“A LowDown show has a very positive, good energy vibe to it. We really want people to leave the show feeling the good energy of the evening. And I think we want our audience to know you don’t need a guitar in the band to get down.”
Tonight’s show starts at 7:30 p.m., with Grand Rapids powerhouse singer Hannah Rose Graves opening. Tickets are $28-$35 and available online at themidtowngr.com.
VIDEO: LowDown Brass Band, “Call Me”
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