Big Band Blast II

A RECREATION OF THE 1939 BIG BAND BATTLES AT CARNEGIE HALL

The Big Band Blast will return on February 16th, 2024 to once again pay homage to the 1939 Big Band Battles at Carnegie Hall. Masterfully crafted by Henley Douglas Jr. and band leaders Carlos Menezes Jr of BrassFed Nation and Brian Thomas and Alex Lee Clark of BT ALC Big Band, “Round Two” will take place during the week of Mardi Gras! Like Big Band Blast No.1, audience members can expect to catch two, twenty-piece orchestras side-by-side for an evening of high-energy trading and showmanship!

About BrassFed Nation

Founded by Carlos Menezes Jr. in 2013, BrassFed Nation is dedicated to the advancement of horn-driven music through exposure and outreach in both education and local musical culture! The collective features 4 unique ensembles; The Jambalaya Horns, Cape Ann Big Band, DubTone Beat, and the 13-Piece Brass-Fed Orchestra – all striving to inspire and connect musicians of all ages through private studio lessons, performances, workshops, and interactive clinics. In just a short span of time, the Cape Ann Big Band alone has become one of the most sought after ensembles in the North Shore and Greater Boston area selling out 25 consecutive shows at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport, Ma. In August of 2023 the BrassFed Orchestra raised the bar with a sellout debut tributing the music of New Orleans. Driven by the talents of professional studio musicians, educators, and clinicians the BrassFed Orchestra prides itself in performing to entertain and connect with its local community. The BrassFed Nation is a horn-driven groove machine with a unique sound incorporating the styles and traditions of early jazz, New Orleans funk & soul, rhythm & blues, calypso, and Jamaican ska! Their highly energetic and interactive performances are not to be missed!

About BT ALC Big Band

Since the group’s formation in 2011, BT ALC Big Band, led by trombonist Brian Thomas and trumpeter Alex Lee-Clark, has reshaped the depiction of the big band ensemble. By employing the traditional instrumentation of 5 saxophones, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones and rhythms section reminiscent of Duke Ellington and Count Basie while infusing funk, soul and hip hop, BT ALC Big Band has created an undeniably unique sound they dub Big Band Funk.

Experiencing the band live is always an incredibly mind blowing experience fueled by tight arrangements, virtuosic solos and a deep groove provided by their rhythm section. The BT ALC Big Band catalog of original repertoire encompassing funk, soul, hip hop, afrobeat, reggae and jazz styles, combined with a rotating cast of Boston’s heaviest hitters make each show special and equally viable at festivals, jazz clubs and theaters.

BT ALC Big Band’s recorded discography includes five singles and four full length albums of original music; Superhero Dance Party (2013), The Herd Sessions Vol. 1 (2016), and The Herd Sessions Vol. 2 (2016), and The Search For Peace (Ropeadope, 2019), Africa (Ropeadope, 2019), Damn’ Right I’m Somebody (Ropeadope, 2019), Bring Forth Change feat: Eric Benny Bloom & Nigel Hall (Vintage League Music, 2020), The Iguana feat: Eric Krasno & Karl Denson (Vintage League Music, 2020) and What Will You Do feat: John Medeski (Vintage League Music, 2020). The band expects to release their 5th full length album in 2022, stay tuned!!

BT ALC Big Band demonstrates their commitment to education through clinics, workshops and performances with students throughout New England. Whether that’s an elementary student learning to make sense out of their new band instrument or a college student searching for their own improvisational and artistic voice, the focus is to help students build confidence and create their own music.