by Mike Lisching
The Rebirth Brass Band turned the Guild Theater in Menlo Park into a slice of New Orleans on Friday night. They brought alive the room with second-line rhythms, call-and-response shouts, and horn lines that refused to quit. From the first blast of the trumpet to the last roll of the snare, the crowd was transported straight to Frenchmen Street. The band’s infectious groove and unfiltered energy made it impossible not to move. The audience was clapping, dancing, and cheering as if the Bay Area had suddenly transformed into the Big Easy.
Led by veteran members trombonist Stafford “Freaky Pete” Agee and drummer Keith “Bassdrumshorty” Frazier, Rebirth showcased the tight musicianship and joyful improvisation that have made them a New Orleans institution for over four decades. The brass section, including Glenn Hall, Vincent Broussard, and Eric Gordon traded licks with precision and swagger, while Jenard Andrews and Clifton “Spug” Smith drove the rhythm section with unrelenting pulse. Their sound was both raw and refined: a street parade turned stage performance.
Highlights of the night included “Do Whatcha Wanna,” the band’s signature anthem of self-expression, and an extended jam that blurred the line between audience and performer. The crowd’s energy fed the band, and the band gave it right back, a cycle of celebration that epitomizes what live music is all about. By the final number, the Guild Theater felt less like a concert venue and more like a community gathering, alive with the spirit of New Orleans.
Rebirth Brass Band’s performance was more than a show; it was a reminder of how music can connect and uplift. Even miles away from Louisiana, the heart of New Orleans pulsed through every horn riff and drumbeat. Few groups carry their city’s legacy with such authenticity and fire, and fewer still can make a room dance the way Rebirth can.
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