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Whether seen on HBO’s Treme or at their legendary Tuesday night gig at The Maple Leaf, Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band is a true New Orleans institution. Formed in 1983 by the Frazier brothers, the band has evolved from playing the streets of the French Quarter to playing festivals and stages all over the world. While committed to upholding the tradition of brass bands, they’ve also extended themselves into the realms of funk and hip-hop to create their signature sound. “Rebirth can be precise whenever it wants to,” says The New York Times, “but it’s more like a party than a machine. It’s a working model of the New Orleans musical ethos: as long as everybody knows what they’re doing, anyone can cut loose.” In the wake of the stringent competition amongst New Orleans brass bands, Rebirth is the undisputed leader of the pack, and they show no signs of slowing down. Once considered the young, upstarts on the streets of New Orleans, the Rebirth now boasts 28 years on the scene. Through that time, its members have gained greater musical dexterity, honed their skills as composers and perfected the marriage of funky street beats with refined musicality. Their latest album, Rebirth of New Orleans (2011) won the 2012 Grammy for Best Regional Roots Album.

Rebirth tuba man and co-leader Phil Frazier says he hasn’t really thought about just where he’ll display the coveted award. “I’ll probably wear it around my neck like a chain,” the exuberant Frazier exclaims. The stars seemed to line up for the Rebirth Brass Band’s 15th release. The CD, released on the local Basin Street Records label, won the honor in the newly created Best Regional Roots Album division, a category that well-suited Rebirth’s difficult to pigeonhole style. Rebirth of New Orleans also benefited from the wisdom of seasoned engineer and producer Tracey Freeman, a previous Grammy winner who knows his way around New Orleans’ musical eclecticism. “We were all jumping up and down,” says Frazier, describing the scene backstage at the pre-telecast show when it was announced that Rebirth had won. “My dream came true. I had that dream for a long time – since I was 20-something years old. When we started getting good, I said this {music} could probably win a Grammy. Meanwhile, Basin Street Records owner Mark Samuels and his wife were in the front row. “I had my iPhone running when they said, ‘And the Grammy goes to…’ and you can hear me screaming, particularly loud. It was thrilling.” For years, the Rebirth Brass Band would be hired to welcome visitors on their arrival at the New Orleans airport. This time, the tables were turned. Trumpeter Kermit Ruffins, the Baby Boyz and Kinfolk brass bands plus others gathered at the airport’s luggage area to great the victors.