The Finke Theatre performance Saturday, Oct. 14, features the Funky Butt Brass Band, a group of six talented musicians which takes classic New Orleans brass tunes and gives them a twist, using sousaphone, trumpet, drums, trombone, guitar, saxophone, and of course, vocals.
Don't be surprised, in addition to New Orleans style music, to also hear some Motown, Southern rock, Memphis soul, Chicago blues and St. Louis rhythm and blues in the mix.
The band was formed in 2007 in St. Louis. Since that time, they have been voted Best Funk/Soul Band at the Riverfront Times Music Awards for four of the past five years, and have performed at many prestigious festivals, as well as on stage.
Cody Henry, on the sousaphone, is the newest member of the band. He teaches jazz trombone at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. He also plays trombone. Cody and his wife, Tami, and their children live in High Ridge. She is also a trombonist.
Adam Hucke, trumpeter and vocalist, is an assistant professor of music at Southwestern Illinois College and directs the college's jazz ensemble.
Ron Sikes is a band director and college percussion instructor by day, and by night, a freelance musician, composer and arranger. He lives in Jefferson County his wife, Catie, and their three daughters.
Aaron Chandler, trombone and vocalist, was in the music program at Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau. At 12, he discovered the trombone. He is married to Erica and they have two sons, Milo and Hank.
Tim Halpin, guitar and vocal, grew up in Harbor Springs, Michigan, but went to Mardi Gras in the late 1970s and Jazzfest in 1989, introducing him to New Orleans-style music, food and culture. Outside of music, he is an award-winning advertising writer/creative director, who has created many memorable commercials. Tim and his wife, Liz, live in the Tower Grove Heights neighborhood of St. Louis.
Austin Cebeulske, saxphone and vocalist, is a native of Belleville, Illinois. He began guitar lessons at the age of eight. Three years later, he picked up the saxophone, which would prove to be his most innate vehicle for musical expression. He recently attained a master's degree in jazz studies from Northern Illinois University. The show starts at 7 p.m. Oct. 14. Tickets are $10 each.
To order tickets, call the Finke at 573-691-9939.