“My Feet Can’t Fail Me Now” is the track that introduced me to the Dirty Dozen Brass Band (wikipedia) 20 something years ago.  I heard it on a Boston radio station – probably WERS or WGBH, but I can’t remember.  What I do remember is that it blew me away.  I was a kid in high school playing saxophone and getting into jazz records, but they were mostly bebop and post-bop (the stuff on Riverside, Columbia, Blue Note, Impulse).  This is one of the things that turned me on to a whole new sound and gave me some understanding of why New Orleans has such a unique place in the history of American music and culture.  It’s a funky groove!

I have heard these guys live many times in Los Angeles and during a great performance at last year’s jazzfest with Rebirth Brass Band and Trombone Shorty.  They always bring the funk.

Here is a cool video with some interview footage:

Another classic Dirty Dozen track, “Ain’t Nothing But A Party” from Bonnaroo 2002:

This is a live version of the gospel tune, “I’ll Fly Away” which they recorded on their Cd, Funeral for a Friend in 2004.  The album is in memory of Tuba Fats, the best sousaphone player I have ever heard and one of the funkiest “bass” players ever.