Brass Queens

Biography

Brass Queens is a female-led, all-female brass band formed in Brooklyn, New York, in March 2019 by co-founders Alex Harris (trumpet) and Ally Chapel (alto sax), who met through community bands and shared frustrations over the male-dominated New York brass band scene. Motivated to increase visibility for female musicians, they recruited a core lineup including Stephanie King and Minerva Johnson (trumpets), Jenna Murdoch (tenor sax), Stephanie Young (trombone), Nora Nalepka (sousaphone), Ashley Baier (drums), and Caitlin Crawley (percussion), later expanding to 10 members. Starting with small gigs like birthdays, weddings, and street performances in Brooklyn, the band quickly built a reputation, earning the nickname 'the hardest working band in town' from peers and getting scouted by an artist management company after venue shows.[1][2][3][4]

Their musical style draws deeply from the New Orleans jazz tradition, particularly modern brass bands like Rebirth Brass Band and The Soul Rebels, blended with influences from mambo, balkan music, pop, classic rock, and film scores. Key releases include their debut EP 'Royal Street' in February 2021 (featuring covers like Cameo's 'Candy' and 'Little Liza Jane'), the full-length 'Black & Gold' in November 2023 (honoring early fans from pandemic-era virtual and street performances), and 'Hot Tub Sessions Vol. I' (their first all-original album, inspired by touring experiences). They've performed at high-profile events like the Met Gala, Carnegie Hall, New York City Pride, Governors Ball Music Festival, Good Morning America, and festivals including Telluride Jazz Festival, Ottawa Jazz Festival, and MusikFest, while touring nationally and internationally.[1][2][3][4][6]

Brass Queens has redefined the brass band landscape by prioritizing female representation, enforcing a black-and-gold dress code inspired by New Orleans Saints colors and Ally Chapel's time in CU Boulder's Golden Buffalo Marching Band, and winning the 2023 MTA Music Under New York Riders’ Choice Award for subway performances. In 2024, they made history as the first all-female band to lead the NYC Village Halloween Parade. Their rapid rise from local fixtures to global performers underscores their commitment to playing diverse audiences and evolving their sound with original compositions.[3][4][6]

Fun Facts

• Formed the day after International Women's Day on March 9, 2019, symbolizing their mission for female empowerment in brass bands.
• Adopted black-and-gold colors inspired by New Orleans Saints and Ally Chapel's experience in CU Boulder's Golden Buffalo Marching Band, enforcing it as a dress code for gigs.
• Won the 2023 MTA Music Under New York Riders’ Choice Award, voted by New Yorkers as favorite subway performers.
• Made history in 2024 as the first all-female band to lead the NYC Village Halloween Parade.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Rebirth Brass Band - major stylistic inspiration for modern New Orleans brass band sound (influenced overall style and energy) [2019-present]
• The Soul Rebels - key influence cited by founders for New Orleans jazz sub-genre (shaped band's brass band approach) [2019-present]

Key Collaborators

• David Byrne - performed multiple times with the iconic artist, including closing his 'Amazing Humans Doing Amazing Things' variety show (live performances) [2021-present]
• Alex Harris - co-founder and trumpet player, core band member (all releases and performances since debut) [2019-present]
• Ally Chapel - co-founder and alto sax player, handled brand identity and leadership (all releases and performances) [2019-present]
• Stephanie King - trumpet player and core member (all releases and tours) [2019-present]

External Links

• Spotify