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Double Bill: Brasskill and Rose & the Bros
August 6, 2022 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
As part of the Mom McGrail Memorial Run and and the Stamford Block Party, the Roxbury Arts Group is presenting two bands that are ready to get you up and dancing!
Brasskill, a lively 14-piece party brass band known for getting people out on the dance floor, will bring funky decibels to Veteran’s Memorial Park. Brasskill’s high-energy live performances feature a driving percussion section, shiny, melodic horns, innovative band choreography, and the finest thrift store sparkly attire that one can find.
The band’s wide-ranging repertoire includes music from the New Orleans second line tradition, punk and pop covers, international grooves, as well as original compositions and arrangements.
Brasskill was co-founded in early 2018 by brass band veterans Francesca Hoffman (formerly of Brooklyn’s Funkrust Brass Band and Rude Mechanical Orchestra) and Emily Herder (formerly of Somerville, Mass.’s Second Line Social Aid & Pleasure Society Brass Band). Brasskill’s early roots stem from within the Tin Horn Uprising, a street activist band based in Kingston, NY. The name Brasskill pays tribute to the history of our region in which many towns and areas end in “kill” – Dutch for “little Stream” – since much of New York area was founded by Dutch, and thus given Dutch names. Based in Hudson, its members reside as far south as Rosendale all the way up to the Berkshires.
Also joining the fun is Rose & The Bros, a powerhouse band specializing in irresistible Zydeco and Cajun dance grooves resonating with sweet vocal harmonies and crooning country roots.
With a shared dream to simply have a blast while making people dance without stopping, Rosie Newton, Paul Martin, and Steve Selin set out to collect tunes and the rare ingredients of a no holds barred Zydeco and Cajun dance party. Once the trio had found their undeniable rhythm section in drummer Greg Evans, bassist Angelo Peters, and rub board/triangle player Sally Freund, Rose & The Bros became a six-piece instant party and the band was complete. Now, Rose & The Bros continue forward, gathering strength and a warm following with infectious joy, a love for community, and a rollicking good time.
Rosie Newton is a singer, fiddler, and accordion player who has toured internationally and is a sought after session player having recorded across a variety genres over many years. She is particularly renowned for her Old Time duo Richie and Rosie and has toured on fiddle with Zydeco legend Preston Frank as well as with the Canadian folk rock band, the Duhks.
Steve Selin is a singer, fiddler, and guitar player who makes amazing cider under his label, South Hill Cider, and has been a vital member of the Ithaca music scene as a player and music collector since he moved to Ithaca over a decade ago.
Paul Martin is a singer, guitar player, and fruit and vegetable farmer who owns and runs the beloved Sweet Land Farm in Trumansburg, NY. He toured with Indie Rock bands prior to farming and is now a devotee of the way of Zydeco and Cajun music.
Angelo Peters is a bass player who leads the innovative and wildly popular dance band, Big Mean Sound Machine, is a multi instrumentalist and singer in the band Swamp Kids, has toured with Donna the Buffalo and Jim Lauderdale, and owns and runs his own Black Bear Recording Studio in Danby, NY. Angelo grew up dancing to Zydeco at the Grassroots Festival in Trumansburg where this music became part of his soul.
Greg Evans is a professor at Ithaca College and is a much sought after Jazz and session drummer in the Ithaca area, playing with the Mike Titlebaum Trio, and the Tenzin Chopak band. Sally Freund plays rub board and triangle, visits Louisiana frequently and knows the dances like the back of her hand. She plays locally in the Old Time band, Long John and the Tights, as well as the Zydeco Trail Riders.
The Stamford Block Party begins at 4p with food trucks, drinks, and ice cream. Music begins at 5p. See you there!
