The Dirty Dozen Brass Band

Drawing upon the rich history of New Orleans marching bands, as well as upon more contemporary styles like funk and R&B, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band has been busy making a name for itself on the national marching band circuit since its formation in 1977. Growing out of a youth music program that was formed in New Orleans' Fairview Baptist Church, the group performed around the Big Easy for years before officially releasing its debut album, My Feet Can't Fail Me Now, in 1984. The band's gestational period worked to its advantage, though, by helping the group hone its chops and become one of the more musically complex before it grew into its current incarnation of one of the most well respected marching bands of its generation that's able to appeal to mainstream audiences.