Kermit Ruffins with The Rebirth Brass Band - Throwback

New Orleans native Kermit Ruffins was aptly born on the birthday of one of that city s most deservedly heralded masters of music, Professor Longhair. The trumpet player came blasting out of high school with the Rebirth Brass Band. Formed with tuba player Philip Frazier, the ensemble stormed across 10 years, several continents, and seven albums before (Kermit left the band) in 1992.

Here reconvened, they've lost none of their exuberant flair and verve. The seven originals by Ruffins are mixed with numbers by the city's current elder statesman, Mac Rebennack, as well as Ray Charles, Mildred Hill's perennial 'Happy Birthday,' and more. Unobtrusively produced, the set bristles with the immediacy of a true celebration.

"The reunion of the Rebirth Brass Band with its original trumpet man — who left to get off the road and explore a solo career — explodes with the enthusiasm of a backyard barbecue, with everyone digging into the funk and singing along. Many of the songs are built on blues riffs or vamps, and when these guys start blowing it's hard to sit passively during a hard-hitting groove like 'Make Way for the Rebirth' or Dr. John s 'Mardi Gras Day.'" — Mike Shanley, JazzTimes

Side 1

Make Way For The Rebirth

Mr. Big Stuff

Here To Stay

Mardi Gras Day (feat. Tombone Shorty)

Side 2

It’s Later Than You Think

I Got A Woman

Happy Birthday

Up In Tha Hood (feat. Mary Griffin)

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