For Fat Man

The debut album from Preservation Brass, 2025s For Fat Man, finds the Preservation Hall Jazz Band spin-off group keeping the vibrant New Orleans brass band traditions alive. The record is named in honor of the groups bass drummer and longtime Preservation Hall member Kenny "Fat Man" Hunter who died tragically in 2024 after being hit by a driver while walking, soon after finishing the recording. A beloved, Grammy-winning performer who worked with a bevy of New Orleans ensembles, Hunters buoyantly gruff, low-end groove drives much of the album. Leading the ensemble are trumpeter Mark Braud and cornetist Kevin Louis, who have both helped carry the torch for traditional New Orleans jazz with Preservation Hall since at least the 2000s. They are joined at various times by other longtime members, including Brauds uncle, trumpeter Wendell Brunious, trombonist Ronell Johnson, trombonist Richard Anderson, tenor saxophonist Roderick Paulin, clarinetist Bruce Brackman, sousaphonist Julius McKee, snare drummer Glen Finister Andrews, and percussionist Gerald French. Together, they play in a soulfully direct and bluesy style that evokes both the classic Preservation Hall sound of the 60s and 70s as well as legendary saxophonist Harold "Duke" Dejans equally gregarious Olympia Brass Band of the same era, which often featured Hall musicians. Here, they dig into classic, if somewhat lesser appreciated songs from New Orleans, including trombonist Walden "Frog" Josephs "Slide Frog Slide," as well as cuts like "Bagatelle" and "Hot Sausage Rag," both of which were favorites of Preservation Hall since its inception. There are equally delightful moments, including Brauds rollicking second-line original "Lucky Dog" and Louis wry vocal turn on "Bill Bailey Wont You Please Come Home." With For Fat Man, Preservation Brass have crafted an album of loose, uplifting New Orleans street jazz that holds on to the time-honored memory of all those who came before while keeping an open heart towards the future. ~ Matt Collar