As one door closes, another one will surely open and in the case of Matthew Breen, The Endings may have played their last ever gig together but the music carries on. The young singer/songwriter from Liverpool, who has gone from strength to strength since picking up a guitar at the age of 11, has blossomed into an accomplished performer whose reputation has soared beyond the streets of Liverpool and even hit as far away as the town of Columbia, Missouri.
Eric’s on Mathew Street is about to get hot and brassy as the Hot 8 Brass Band fly in with their spiced up gumbo funk and hip hop spiced up with authentic New Orleans street band flavours on Sunday 3rd March. .
The Hot 8 Brass Band is the world-renowned New Orleans based brass band that blends hip-hop, jazz and funk styles with traditional New Orleans brass sounds with stunning results. Playing New Orleans clubs and traditional jazz funerals and street marches, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the Hot 8 Brass Band was propelled into the international spotlight by an appearance in Spike Lee’s film When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts. Since then the band has toured the world with their authentic and totally unique New Orleans street sound.
Hue and Cry. Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. May 3rd 2012.
L.S. Media Rating ****
There are times when you don’t need a full band behind you giving you the extra impetuous to thrill a capacity crowd. A voice perhaps and keyboard will do and when you are Greg and Pat Kane from Scottish Jazz/Funk stalwarts Hue and Cry.