The Hot 8 Brass Band

Kevin Greene, second alto with the Chilli Road Band, drew my attention to this YouTube version of Sexual Healing by the Hot 8 Brass Band from New Orleans. The reason being because it is a tune the CRB also play although, possibly in deference to the younger members, it goes by the title of Musical Healing.

Frankly, like all New Orleans street bands, the tuning is abysmal but you cannot take away the enthusiasm and the joie de vivre they radiate.

However, even more interesting is the tragic background to the band - apart from Hurricane Katrina.

Wiki states that "The band has also been mentioned in the U.S. media because three of its members, all of whom were between the ages of 17 and 25, have died over the years due to handgun violence.

In 1996, seventeen-year old trumpet player Jacob Johnson was found shot execution-style in his home.

In 2004, trombone player Joseph "Shotgun Joe" Williams was shot dead by police in controversial circumstances. According to a local news source.

According to New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) accounts, officers were stopping 22-year-old trombonist Joe Williams for driving an allegedly stolen vehicle when Williams slammed the white Ford F-150 into reverse, accelerating into an NOPD squad car and officer. His actions, says Deputy Superintendent Marlin Defillo, caused officers to fear for their lives and thus open fire, killing Williams.

The same source reported that several eyewitnesses say that police shot Williams while he was unarmed and his hands were in the air.

In 2006, drummer Dinerral "Dick" Shavers was shot and killed while driving with his family. According to The Times-Picayune.

Dinerral Shavers, 25, died from a gunshot to the back of his head at about 5:30 p.m. while behind the wheel of his black Chevrolet Malibu in the 2200 block of Dumaine Street… His family was not injured… Although critically wounded, Shavers continued driving four blocks up Dumaine before stopping. By 6 p.m., Shavers lay motionless on his back in the middle of the street just outside the open driver's side door… Shavers was taken to a hospital, but died within an hour.

Police said the bullet was intended for Shavers's fifteen-year old stepson. The Hot 8 Brass Band played at Shavers' funeral."

Lance