The Dirty Dozen Brass Band will bring their unique style of New Orleans jazz to Starkville at the State Theater Friday night. Dave Hood, the owner of the State Theatre, eagerly awaits the return of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band to Starkville. The band played at the State Theatre last March, and the entire place sold out. Dave said he expects a similar turnout this year. “We will be sold out by show time,” he said.
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band became the first nationally known act to come to the State Theatre. Many Mississippi State students know them through their collaborations with Widespread Panic. The Dirty Dozen have toured with Widespread Panic and also made a CD with them called Another Joyous Occasion.
Hood knows that playing with Widespread Panic sparks a lot of student interest in Starkville, but he also recognizes that the Dirty Dozen Brass Band offers a very unique style that draws any music lover’s ear.
“The Dirty Dozen have been seen a lot recently through their tours with Widespread, but they’re so unique that they would draw people regardless. Nobody plays all of the different instruments that they do. They have created a sound that is completely their own,” Hood said.
Roger Lewis, the saxophonist for the Dirty Dozen, agrees that his band creates a one-of-a-kind sound.
“The difference between our band and other bands is that we incorporate so many different music styles,” Lewis said. “Our style is constantly changing. We do jazz, jam, funk and a little bit of everything else, too. We do mind, body and soul music, and we always have a good time while doing it!”
Lewis remains with the band after becoming one of the original members 25 years ago. He credits the band’s unique style to all of the influences they have had from their hometown of New Orleans. Louis Armstrong, a New Orleans native, is one name among many New Orleans artists that influenced the Dirty Dozen.
“Louis Armstrong set the standard for jazz,” Lewis said. “There are so many different musical influences that we’ve had from New Orleans. There are too many people to name. I guess you could say that New Orleans was our musical influence.”
The Dirty Dozen have traveled the world during those 25 years. They played in Tokyo, New Guinea, Germany and pretty much any other place imaginable. The Dirty Dozen jammed with Miles Davis, Elvis Costello and Dizzy Gillespie. Although Lewis lists playing with Miles Davis as the highlight of the band’s career, he said that playing at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tenn. this summer also ranked highly.
“Bonnaroo was quite an experience,” Lewis said. “The people were really into the music. From the stage, it looked like a sea of people swaying together. It was a wonderful experience.”
The Dirty Dozen released their latest CD, Medicated Magic, last April. Medicated Magic rests on shelves in CD stores around the nation.
The show starts at 9:30 p.m. Friday night at the State Theatre. Tickets cost $12. You can access more information about the Dirty Dozen Brass Band online at www.rosebuds.com/dozen.