High Plains Arts Council presents New Orleans-style brass band

The High Plains Art Council presents the Funky Butt Brass Band this Friday, April 22, at the Sidney High School Performing Arts Center.

The band formed in 2008 and is comprised of six members: Tim Halpin (guitar, vocals), Austin Cebulske (sax, vocals), Aaron Chandler (trombone, vocals), Ron Sikes (drums), Adam Hucke (trumpet, vocals) and Cody Henry (sousaphone).

Integrating influences from traditional New Orleans brass, the band puts their own "twist" on the music they perform.

"In the style of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Rebirth and Bonerama," Halpin said. "But at any given gig, chances are you'll hear a little Motown, Chicago blues, Southern rock and St. Louis R&B in the mix."

Most of the band members have traveled to New Orleans at one time or another. Realizing there really wasn't a traditional brass band around the area at that time, Halpin they decided to form their own.

"Until last year, when I got married and we were saving for the wedding, I had traveled to New Orleans for 25 straight years, either for Jazz Fest, French Quarter Fest or just to hang out," he said. "In 2006, I went down to work for Habitat For Humanity helping rebuild houses in the Lower Ninth Ward that had been destroyed by the flooding from the levee breaks after Hurricane Katrina."

The band's name, "Funky Butt," is not just something fun they randomly pulled out of a hat, but one of historical significance in New Orleans.

"Many people ask about the name of the band," Halpin said. "Most smile when they hear it, although once when we played a concert where the median age was about 75, a sweet-faced elderly lady came up and said, 'I really enjoy your music.'

"Then she frowned and whispered, 'Not too fond of the name, though.' Fortunately, that's not the majority opinion."

Halpin said "Funky Butt" is the title a dance, a Buddy Bolden trumpet tune and, in the early part of the 20th century when jazz was the new sound, the nighttime name of the Union Sons of Honor Hall in the "backatown" district.

Another dance club called the Funky Butt used to be open on Rampart Street in the early 2000s, owned by Big Sam Williams who now tours the world with his band, Big Sam's Funky Nation. Halpin said the club hosted the city's finest funk bands, but it closed after Katrina hit and never reopened.

"We thought the name was a fitting homage to our sister city, was reflective of the spirited music we hoped to make, and would make people smile," Halpin said. "So far, it's worked out that way. Except for that one lady, apparently."

In 2009, the band released their debut album, "Cut The Body Loose," and in 2011, their second album, "You Can Trust The Funky Butt Brass Band," was released.

While the band currently has no plans yet for a third full-length album, Halpin said they have talked about making a kids record.

The Funky Butt Brass Band hails from St. Louis, Mo., which lends a big hand to the stylistic qualities of their music.

"There's always been kind of a 'simpatico' between St. Louis and New Orleans," Halpin said.

During this stretch, the band will first make the long hike across the state to Sidney before heading back east for appearances at the Zoo Bar in Lincoln and the Knucklehead in Kansas City, Kan. before heading back home to St. Louis.

"We try to get around the Midwest as much as we can," Halpin said.

The Funky Butt Brass Band will also hold clinic at Sidney High School from 2 to 3 p.m. the day of their concert.

"Our plan is to educate the middle and high school students about the history of brass bands in New Orleans and how the tradition has evolved over the years, allowing bands like us to put our own unique spin on it," Halpin said.

For more information on Friday's concert, which will begin at 7 p.m. in the SHS Performing Arts Center, call (308) 250-1065.