The Austin Chronicle
“It's never easy translating to disc the distinctive energy of a live brass band performance, where the rhythms boil and audience interaction is key, but Big Wy and his pals unquestionably deliver.” (read full article here)
- Michael Toland
Prensa Libre
“As if their sounds came from the true birthplace of jazz…” (read full article here)
“Como si sus sonidos vinieran de la verdadera cuna del jazz…” (el artículo)
- Axel Vicente
BAND OPTIONS
Big Wy's Brass Band... is a New Orleans inspired Brass-Hop band based out of Austin, TX. The band features 6 horns, bass, keys, auxiliary percussion, and drum kit.
Big Wy's Jazz Combo... a paired down jazzy version of the brass band. Appropriate for more intimate setting's. The combo features 3 horns, bass, keys, and drum kit.
FEATURED VIDEO
Big Wy's Horns... the official horn section for hire. If your band wants horn players we specialize in arranging horn parts that fit into YOUR sound. The section features trumpet, saxophone, and trombone (or any arrangement desired).
LATEST RECORD
BIO
EARLY YEARS. . .
Big Wy's Brass Band was born 03/01/2014 at The Historic Scoot Inn in Austin, TX opening for The Austin Samba School for Brazil Day/Mardi Gras Celebration. The band was comprised of current West Lake High School students that played together in the jazz ensemble and marching band. After an overwhelming victory at their high school battle of the bands, they knew they had something special [battle of the bands video]. Big Wy's went on to release their debut single "Cane Sauce" on SoundCloud. April 2015, Big Wy's Brass Band participates in it's first ever HONK!TX Brass Band Festival.
BIG WY'S GOES TO COLLEGE. . .
After most the band decided to attend The University of Texas at Austin they decided to keep the project going soon after leading to wide popularity across the UT campus music scene. In 2017, Big Wy's Brass Band Wy's made its first international debut by representing the United States at the Instituto Guatemalteco Americano (IGA) 2017 International Jazz Festival in Guatemala. The band toured the country giving performances and hosting jazz workshops in Guatemala City and Antigua. As one of the youngest performers to ever be featured at the festival, Prensa Libre poll the public and concluded the band as the second most popular group to perform that year amongst participants from all over the world.
IGA Jazz Fest was quickly followed by the band's selection for the 2017 CR Promising Artists of The 21st Century Tour of Costa Rica. Over the course of the tour, Big Wy's was hosted by Centro Cultural Costarricense Norteamericano (CCCN) and performed around the country, with the additional honor of playing for President Luis Guillermo Solís as featured guests at the annual Afro Descendants Day parade in Puerto Limón.
February 2018, their debut EP "The Portal To Funkville EP" on all major streaming platforms. Containing only original works, the EP featured solos from all 9 members of the band. Recorded in a tiny guest house, the record showcases the bands high school roots as well as its jazzier compositions. The title track "Valhalla" is the bands most streamed song. The new record led to many exciting developments throughout 2018 with the band performing along side the world-renowned Preservation Hall Jazz and Blue Lab Beats for SXSW18 as well as featured performers on TEDxYouth@Austin.
BIG WY'S GRADUATES. . .
August 2019, the band was invited back as CR Promising Artists of The 21st Century Tour of Costa Rica. During this tour the band had the privilege of performing at the US Ambassadors residence for 30 of Costa Rica's Ambassadors to the world and UN. The band had the honor to perform the Afro Descendants Day parade for Vice President Marvin Rodríguez Cordero.
April 2019 marked the release of "Lord Dope EP" on all major streaming. This record included the addition of keys as well as a more experimental sound. Inspired by the works of contemporary brass bands such as NO! BS and The Huntertones, this record explores a more hip hop vibe. The new record led to many exciting developments with the band performing along side Big Sam's Funky Nation, Ike Stubblefield, and Walter "Wolfman" Washington. The Austin Chronicle's annual Austin Music Awards honored Big Wy's Brass Band as "Best Horns" for 2019 with a performance at the prestigious ACL Moody Theater.
DEBUT ALBUM. . .
2020 started as a very promising year for the band having already been invited to perform at the SXSW Music Festival for the 3rd consecutive year, and having prospects to tour more internationally. March 2020 the world stood still as the COVID-19 pandemic cut off all live music. During the years 2020-2021 Big Wy's seldom performed live so in an effort to still make music The Quarantine Sessions were born. A series of videos stitching together everyones individual recorded parts from across the country so that we could still make music together as a band.
This was a time of songwriting, reflection, and bringing in new prospectives to the band. "Do Travel" was released in May of 2020 as a collaboration with Austin, TX rock band, Night Cap. "Big Wy Was Here" was released in August 2021 as a collaboration with Austin, TX beatboxer and rapper, Ben Buck. "Pillow Talk" is is an original composition the features long time friend of the band Marcus Cardwell on the tenor saxophone.