On stage with the Rebirth Brass Band!!

All it took was Chadrick Honore inviting 'all the ladies in the house' on stage, and the stream of women started through the side stage door.  I scooted in last after a good nudge from my awesome friend, "You've got to go..." I've been on stage briefly to take a few shots when Rebirth has played Chelsea's and once at Bogie's, but never at the Varsity Theater.

I took a spot right by snare drummer, Derrick Tabb, and tuba player, Phil Frazier.  I'm guessing that there were 20-30 happy, dancing women who were completely into it with up there with me.  Watch the video and see how only a few pulled out their cellphone to take a picture or two.  Other than that, they were truly embracing the moment.

I'm not sure how I did not dance at all for 10 minutes.  Usually, I'm movin' a bit in between my shots, but this time around I suppose I took the self-assigned video job very seriously. ;)

Thank you very much, Rebirth!!! Always excellent to have you in town.

#RebirthBrassBand #RootsofMusic #VarsityTheater #OnStage #Video #NewOrleans #LOVE

Givin' thanks Rebirth style!

Kicked off Thanksgiving Break with the Rebirth Brass Band at Baton Rouge's Bogies.  It was my first time there and didn't know what to expect from this college bar scene.  After shocking the young man at the door checking IDs by my birth date year 30 years older than all others (he had been looking down when viewing), I stepped right in and had a fun time.  Rebirth ALWAYS puts on a great show and treat the crowd right.  The full band was there minus co-founder Keith Frazier on the Bass Drum, and Terrence Andrews performed in his place.  I really enjoyed meeting him and seeing all of the band members in Baton Rouge once again.


A special thanks to Rebirth, co-founder Phil Frazier, Tuba, and Derrick Tabb, Snare, and Terrence Andrews for letting me step into their rear stage space for a different perspective of the show.  I'm more than appreciative of the opportunity and experience.  (I took some nice photos of their instuments during the set break which I'll share in an album, too.) All of these shots were taken with my husband's iPhone 6.  I'm very impressed by how it handled the low light situation and more than psyeched to have grabbed a good set.

Be sure to check out the Rebirth Brass Band back in Baton Rouge on December 20 at Chelsea's!

(Creative Commons Irene Kato)

Rebirth!!!

Had some great news to celebrate, and no better way to do it than with the Rebirth Brass Band.  A dear friend found out the results of his PET scan after a stretch of intense treatments for his cancer over the past handful of months.  Amazingly so, he is clear!  Joy in dance with the sounds of Rebirth was absolutely fantastic.

#RebirthBrassBand, #blackandwhite

Rebirth!!!

LOVE Rebirth!!

I had looked forward to the show all week, and knowing that I'd get out with Rebirth really kept me going at work.  I usually head out on my own for Chelsea's, but this time I put it own there to my friends just in case they could go.  Cool enough that they made it and got there early enough to grab a table right next to the left side of the stage.  Front stage and the space all the way to the bar filled up for Rebirth's set which was great to see.  Taken that I couldn't move around into the crowd to dance and grab different perspectives, but that was all good.  Standing on top of a couple of chairs and scooting onto stage out of the way was awesome and lots of fun.  Thank you Phil Frazier, tuba player, for sharing your space and giving me a view of your world.

Rebirth Brass Band in black and white

This has to be one of my favorite black and white photographs sets of the Rebirth Brass Band at Chelsea's Cafe.   I especially love the images of lead trumpet/vocals Derek Shezpie.  I'm usually taken by his neck tattoos and gear in addition to his awesomely expansive cheeks.  They're captured pretty well, and I so appreciate being up close and personal to Chelsea's low stage.  The fans in the crowd were very much into the heat and feel of the night, too.  We had a great time dancin' and groovin' out there!

Rebirth Brass Band at Chelsea's