A world renowned band, in Starkville? After little less than a month of showcasing its first dinner theatre production, The International Bistro and State Theatre is pulling out the stops by hosting the famous Dirty Dozen Brass Band Wednesday night as the first venue on the band’s 22-city tour across the United States. “They (Dirty Dozen) are a New Orleans jazz band with funky beats and a lot of bebop influence. I’ve never seen them perform live, but all my workers talk about them,” International Bistro and State Theatre owner Dave Hood said. “I’m really excited and can’t wait until they come.”
The Dirty Dozen have boldly forged the traditions of New Orleans jazz with the modern influences of funk, R&B and pop, creating a new standard of New Orleans jazz.
“Dirty Dozen sort of took the place of bands like Galactic. I hear they put on a good show; they are so big because they’re so good. Somebody told me that they’ve (Bistro & State Theatre) sold at least 300 tickets already,” Cash County Survivors bass player Keith Spieey said. “I’m glad to see something large like that come to town.”
Large they are indeed, The Dozen has maintained a continuous touring schedule that has taken them to over 30 countries on five continents, including a July 1999 stop in Beijing, China, to perform at one of the country’s first open air pop music concerts.
Although WMSV Home Grown DJ Lewis Fowler has never seen the Dozen live, he is ecstatic about the group beginning their tour in Starkville. Fowler credits the group as being the granddaddies of funky New Orleans jazz.
“I grew up almost an hour and a half from New Orleans, and to go there and hear this type of music played in the streets just puts a pep in your step,” Fowler said.
“There is now other music in the world like it,” Fowler said.
Fowler is not the only one to think highly of the Dozen’s music.
In a career span of over 25 years, the band whose members include Greogory Davis, trumpet and vocals; Efram Towns, trumpet; Kevin Harris and Roger Lewis, saxophones; Sammie Williams, trombone; Julius McKee; sousaphone, Fredrick Sanders, keyboards; Terrence Higgens, drums, and James Mclean on guitar, have been fortunate enough to collaborate with notable artists such as Miles Davis, Elvis Costello, Branford Marsalis, The Squirrel Nut Zippers and The Black Crowes.
Virtuoso musicianship and irrepressible live shows have become the band’s hallmark, earning them a loyal following which is evident in the number of out-of-towners who have purchased tickets for Wednesday’s event.
The London Times referred to the Dozen as one of the two or three most enthralling jazz acts in the world.
Since 1984, the band has released nine albums under various record labels. The Dozen’s rump-shaking sousaphone acrobatic propelled anthem, “My Feet Can’t Fail Me Now” is featured on their 1996 album Ears To The Wall and is known to make the crowd go wild.
While on tour, Dirty Dozen will drop their latest album, Medicated Magic, on April 23.
On the album, the Dozen celebrates its 25-year anniversary by paying homage to their hometown, interpreting the tunes of Professor Longhair, The Meters and more, with a little help from new friends such as Dr. John, John Bell, Olu Dara, Norah Jones, DJ Logic and Robert Randolph.
Hood managed to get the Dozen through connections with another local bar owner as a return favor.
“This will be their (Dirty Dozen) first time in Starkville, and we plan to treat them really well in hopes that they’d want to come back in the future. I’ve arranged for them to have a limo ride to and from the theatre and to have all their favorite foods prepared, which is Chinese,” Hood said.
When booking the band, the Dirty Dozen’s agent thought it was strange for Hood to book the band on a Wednesday night, since Wednesday is not a typical college town party night, but Hood’s reasoning was that several students will be preparing to leave for Spring Break later in the week.
He also noted that competition is scarce on Wednesday nights, and he is not trying to create a standing room only situation. Hood said he expects patrons to walk away after a pleasurable experience without fighting a crowd.
Show time kicks off Wednesday night with The Puerto Rican Rum Drunks as the opening act. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the Bistro or Dark Horse Tavern. Early ticket purchase is encouraged.
For more information call 323-2591 or 324-3316 after 2 p.m.
For a preview of Dirty Dozen’s bayou boogie, tune in to WMSV 91.1 Home Grown tonight at 10p.m. with Fowler.