Rebirth Brass Band, a wonderful, talented and fun band is coming to the Lowell Summer Music Series on Saturday, July 14th! I predict there will be a second line snaking through Boarding House Park during at least part of the show!

“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.

Rebirth Brass Band (Official Photo)

“Their persistent production of the rich New Orleans Brass Band sound won the band a Grammy for their 2011 release, Rebirth of New Orleans. Rebirth is committed to upholding the tradition of brass bands while at the same time incorporating modern music into their show. Their signature brand of brass funk has won over several generations of music lovers, and in a post-Katrina world, their name and music have become the soundtrack to their musically rich hometown. In the wake of the sometimes-stringent competition amongst brass bands, Rebirth is the undisputed leader of the pack and they show no signs of slowing down.

““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.”

“Rebirth Brass Band is at it again with their new album, Move Your Body, an infectious, groove-laden collection of hip-shakers sure to saturate the dance floor.

“Rollicking originals like “Who’s Rockin, Who’s Rollin'”? and “Take ‘Em to the Moon” reaffirm the band’s position as head of the brass throne while the rasta-esque “On My Way” and leave-nothing-to-the-imagination lyrics of “HBNS” showcase the unit’s talent for penning unabashed party starters.

“Boasting a mastery of Rebirth’s signature “heavy funk” sound, Move Your Body pushes and swings, leaving behind an 11 track thumbprint, approved by the Frazier brothers themselves, of a sultry Tuesday night spent dancing on their home court at the Maple Leaf Bar in New Orleans.””

Tickets for the Rebirth Brass Band show are priced at $32 in advance (fee-free!). There are also premium seats – beach chairs are provided by the Series – set in two rows directly in front of the stage for $132. Tickets for this show went on sale on Thursday, March 29th at 9 a.m. through Lowell Summer Music Series.

For those of you who are unaware of the Series, or if you are aware of it but have never attended a show there, it is an outdoor (weather permitting) concert series held on National Park Service grounds in Lowell, Massachusetts. The Series is not-for-profit, which helps keep the ticket prices reasonable.

Surrounding Boarding House Park are old mill buildings, part of the Lowell National Historical Park, which you can tour if you arrive early enough. They provide an unusual setting for an evening of great music and ambiance.

The Series generally runs from mid-June to early September.

This Series is dear to my heart. I have been a season pass holder since 2007 and it is one of the highlights of the year (and of summer in particular) for me. Many lasting friendships have been made there. I expect this will be another excellent year!

I will post additional announcements for the Series as they are made.

So far, the  lineup is:

June 14 (Thursday) – David Crosby

June 15 (Friday) – Rhiannon Giddens

June 17 (Sunday) – Fitz & The Tantrums

June 24 (Sunday) – Brian Setzer

June 30 (Saturday) – Boz Scaggs

July 14 (Saturday) – Rebirth Brass Band

August 4 (Saturday) – Peter Cetera

August 11 (Saturday) – Ladysmith Black Mambazo

August 17 (Friday) – Postmodern Jukebox

August 18 (Saturday) – Blues Traveler