"Ghost Town" - Hot 8 Brass Band

In the early 1980’s, the 2 Tone ska band The Specials recorded “Ghost Town” as an examination of the economic strife throughout the United Kingdom. A generation later, the Hot 8 Brass Band adopted the #1 hit song to rebuild the cultural voice of New Orleans, a city washed away by Hurricane Katrina.

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"Fine Tuner" - Hot 8 Brass Band

According to trumpeter Raymond Williams’ biography, he was given the nickname “Dr. Rackle” by his mentor Jackie McLean as a title for his group of “Sound Griots,” or musical sages, and has been an integral part of shaping and arranging the Hot 8 sound of the streets into a Grammy nominated work of art, earning himself the second nickname, “The Fine Tuner.”

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"I'm So New Orleans" - Haruka Kikuchi

Danny Barker, Uncle Lionel Batiste, Tuba Fats Anthony Lacen, Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Rebirth Brass Band, Trombone Shorty, Ms. Germaine Bazzle… Kermit Ruffins’ bravado is a tribute to the musicians who shaped the trumpeter’s BBQ-swingin’ style. And following in his footsteps is trombonist Haruka Kikuchi, formerly of Tokyo and now she’s so New Orleans.

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