Dirty Catfish Brass Band’s aim is to inspire, create and instigate – but, mostly, they just want you on your feet. Undeniably tight, yet reckless as hell, Dirty Catfish Brass Band deals in powerful phrasing and performances drenched with rhythm. Invoking the sounds of brass bands and funk ensembles, the collective dares to reimagine the streets of a prairie city as one that is hot, alive, and brimming with soul. Based in Winnipeg, MB, the crew strives to surprise, challenge, tickle and pay homage to the New Orleans tradition by giving it a new audience in an unsuspecting locale. From street corners to festival stages, and community celebrations to sporting events, DCBB use the power of music to bring joy to their audience. Get ready to move.
Hailing from Winnipeg, Manitoba and formed in the fall of 2011, Dirty Catfish Brass Band has become a constant at local festivals and venues. Much like the great brass bands from New Orleans, DCBB are dedicated to offering their community a gathering place to feel the joy of music and dance. Their monthly performances at The Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club have become a constant sell out, offering both a family friendly early show and a late night performance, geared to reach all ages of music enthusiasts. Their positive and joyful approach to music has been an asset to many community organizations; The Winnipeg Jets, The Winnipeg Blue Bombers, CancerCare Manitoba, United Way Winnipeg, and the Manitoba Marathon. They’ve also become an in-demand horn section for collaborative projects both in the studio and on stage with artists such as Royal Canoe, Begonia, The Bros. Landreth, JP Hoe, Sweet Alibi, and Rayannah. DCBB have been featured as the supporting act for Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Galactic, Jon Cleary, and Five Alarm Funk.
These highly trained musicians collectively hold 12 University degrees, having studied at McGill University, University of Toronto, Humber College, University of Manitoba, Brandon University, Virginia Tech, University of Southern California, New England Conservatory, School for Improvised Music, University of Miami, and The Banff Centre.
Dirty Catfish Brass Band has two releases to their name; “Brass Riot”, 2014 and “Big Shiny Brass”, 2016. “Brass Riot” presents fans with an experience reminiscent of the group’s live show. It takes listeners to many different places, showcasing both original compositions and traditional brass band standards. With their second release, “Big Shiny Brass” - a six track EP - DCBB give a nod to fellow Winnipeggers The Guess Who and explore their own influences over a collection of pop tunes via Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and more. Featured on “Big Shiny Brass” is their version of ‘Shake It Off’, which has become a YouTube hit reaching over 600k views. While "Big Shiny Brass” is filled with the spirit of the New Orleans brass tradition, DCBB makes a point to take the music in a direction of their own.