L Train Brass Band Explained

The L Train Brass Band is a large non-profit community adult music organization based in Brooklyn, NY.^[1] Founded in 2017, the L Train Brass Band is composed of close to 100 brass, reed, and percussion musicians based in New York City.^{[2] [3]} The band plays Mardi Gras/New Orleans music in addition to rhythm and blues, hip-hop, and pop covers, as well as a handful of original songs.^[1] They are currently artists in residence at Culture Lab LIC.^[4]

Background

The L Train Brass Band was founded in 2017 by Ryan Hall and David Joseph. The band was named after the L subway line that many early members utilized to travel to and from rehearsal. When the band became too large to rehearse in a basement, they moved outside, which prompted locals to invite them to increasingly larger events. They made their first major public appearance in June 2017 when they marched in the Coney Island Mermaid Parade.^[5]

Notable Appearances and Events

The L Train Brass Band has performed at many high-profile events, including the Governors Ball Music Festival^{[6] [7]} and the Debt Gala, a Met Gala alternative raising money to reduce debt.^{[8] [9]} The group has made several trips to New Orleans, Louisiana, where they have performed as part of the Krewedelusion and Krewe Boheme parades.^{[10] [11]}

They have appeared in every Coney Island Mermaid Parade since 2017, where they have won several awards^[12] and have been cited as a parade favorite.^{[13] [14] [15] [16]} The band appears in the 2022 Apple TV Documentary "End of the Line."^[17]

The L Train Brass Band has run and operated a New York City-based brass music festival called Brasswick since 2019. The event provides the community access to a variety of local bands and vendors.^[18]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Duggan . Kevin . Blast off: Giant Bushwick band opens brass festival . Brooklyn Paper . 6 May 2024.
2. Web site: Drohan . Freya . Krewe Brought Southern Charm to the Meatpacking District With its Annual ‘Krawfish’ Boil . Vogue . Vogue Magazine . 14 May 2024.
3. Web site: L Train Brass Band . Brooklyn Arts Council . 6 May 2024.
4. Web site: Artist in Residence: Music . Culture Lab LIC.
5. Web site: Duggan . Kevin . Blast off: Giant Bushwick band opens brass festival . Brooklyn Paper . 6 May 2024. /
6. Web site: How One Local NYC Band Rocked Governor's Ball Alongside Headliners Eminem, Jack White, and More . sonicbids . 6 May 2024.
7. Web site: Lotz . Griffin . Governors Ball Music Festival 2019: Photos . Rolling Stone . Rolling Stone . 9 May 2024.
8. Web site: Vadukul . Alex . In Brooklyn, the Anti-Met Gala Raises Funds for Medical Debt . The New York Times . The New York Times . 6 May 2024.
9. Web site: Levin . Cleo . You’ve Heard of the Met Gala. I Went to the Other One. . Slate . Slate Magazine . 7 May 2024.
10. Web site: Coviello . Will . Krewedelusion 2022: Check out the route, honorees and details . Gambit . bestofneworleans.com . 6 May 2024.
11. Web site: Krewe Boheme parades in the Marigny and French Quarter Friday, Jan. 26 . Gambit . bestofneworleans.com . 6 May 2024.
12. Web site: Mermaid Parade 2023 Winners . Coney Island USA . 6 May 2024.
13. Web site: Lynch . Scott . SEA OF LOVE: SCENES FROM SATURDAY’S JOYOUS CONEY ISLAND MERMAID PARADE . Brooklyn Magazine . 6 May 2024.
14. Web site: PHOTOS: Mermaid Parade returns to Coney Island . Brooklyn Paper . 6 May 2024.
15. Web site: Hickey . Magee . Mermaid parade takes over Coney Island . PIX 11 News . 6 May 2024.
16. Web site: Coney Island Mermaid Parade Turns 40 Event Triumphantly Returns After Two Year Hiatus . Brooklyn Eagle . 6 May 2024.
17. Web site: End of the Line . Apple TV . 6 May 2024.
18. Web site: Lipsky . Jessica . BROOKLYN BLOWS: BRASS BAND MUSIC’S BIG MOMENT . Brooklyn Magazine . Brooklyn Magazine . 6 May 2024.