Treme Brass Band

Biography

The Treme Brass Band is a celebrated New Orleans brass band founded in the early 1990s by drummer Benny Jones Sr., a veteran musician whose roots in the city's musical traditions run deep. Jones, the son of noted musician Chester Jones, formed the group out of jam sessions at Sidney’s Saloon, gathering a rotating cast of seasoned players and rising stars from the Tremé neighborhood, one of the oldest African American communities in the United States and a cradle of jazz. The band’s name pays homage to this historic district, and its music is steeped in the vibrant, parade-driven culture that defines New Orleans.

Known for their loose, relaxed style and dedication to the traditional brass band repertoire, the Treme Brass Band has become an institution in the city, performing at jazz funerals, street parades, and local venues such as the Candlelight Lounge. Their sound, which features clarinet, trumpet, trombone, tuba, and drums, blends African rhythms, polyphony, and European forms, reflecting the origins of New Orleans jazz. The group has released acclaimed albums like 'Gimme My Money Back' and 'I Got a Big, Fat Woman,' and their rendition of 'Just a Closer Walk With Thee' is emblematic of their role in the city’s musical rituals.

Despite international recognition, including a National Heritage Fellowship from the NEA in 2006, the Treme Brass Band remains deeply rooted in the local community. The band’s membership is fluid, with both veteran musicians and young innovators contributing to its evolving sound. Many former members have gone on to found or join other influential brass bands, ensuring the Treme Brass Band’s legacy as a cornerstone of New Orleans’ musical heritage.

Fun Facts

• The Treme Brass Band was featured in the first episode of HBO’s 'Treme,' with their version of 'A Closer Walk With Thee' included on the series soundtrack.
• After Hurricane Katrina, fans organized a support network to help band members return to New Orleans, replace lost instruments, and find work teaching jazz workshops.
• The band’s lineup is famously fluid, sometimes including as many as 20 young musicians during children’s programs at the New Orleans Jazz Historical Park.
• The Treme Brass Band is one of the few traditional New Orleans brass bands to regularly feature white musicians in its lineup, reflecting the city's diverse musical community.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Chester Jones - Father of founder Benny Jones Sr. and a noted musician in New Orleans, influencing Benny's early musical development. (N/A) [Mid-20th century]

Key Collaborators

• Lionel 'Uncle Lionel' Batiste - Assistant leader and bass drummer, key figure in the band's sound and public image until his death in 2012. (Band recordings, live performances) [1990s–2012]
• Kermit Ruffins - Trumpeter and frequent band member, later a prominent solo artist. (Band performances, recordings) [1990s]
• James Andrews - Trumpeter and band member, part of the shifting lineup. (Band performances) [1990s–2000s]
• Corey Henry - Trombonist, regular performer with the band. (Band performances) [2000s–present]
• Kirk Joseph - Sousaphonist, part of the band's rotating lineup. (Band performances) [1990s–2000s]

Artists Influenced

• Rebirth Brass Band - Several Treme Brass Band veterans went on to found or play in the Rebirth Brass Band, which blends traditional and modern styles. (Rebirth Brass Band albums and performances) [1980s–present]
• New Birth Brass Band - Founded by musicians influenced by the Treme Brass Band’s approach and repertoire. (Band performances) [1990s–present]
• Little Rascal Brass Band - Formed by musicians who played with or were inspired by Treme Brass Band. (Band performances) [1990s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Just A Closer Walk With Thee (Treme: Music From The HBO Original Series, Season 1)
2. The Sheik of Araby (New Orleans Brass Bands: Through the Streets of the City)
3. Grazing in the Grass (New Orleans Brass Bands: Through the Streets of the City)
4. Grazing in the Grass (The Treme Brass Band)
5. Tuba Fats (The Treme Brass Band)
6. You Are My Sunshine (The Treme Brass Band)
7. We Shall Walk Through the Streets of the City (New Orleans Brass Bands: Through the Streets of the City)
8. I'll Fly Away (The Treme Brass Band)
9. Saints / Mama Don't Allow (I Got a Big Fat Woman)
10. Amazing Grace (New Orleans Brass Bands: Through the Streets of the City)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #jazz