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Kindred dinThe Hypnotic Brass Ensemble’s family planning
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by LATEEF MARTIN Who wakes up their kids at five every morning for practice before school? It’s a rarity these days, but that’s how jazz legend Phil Cohran, of Sun Ra Arkestra fame, trained his eight Chicago-born sons. They played with their father as the Phil Cohran Youth Ensemble in the ’80s but reformed in their adulthood as a street band. With trips around the world and collabs with Erykah Badu, Mos Def, Gorillaz, Maxwell and more, there’s enough drama, action, fun and music to make a gripping biopic. Infusing their brand of brass-band jazz with a hip hop touch thanks to their ninth member, drummer 360, and other danceable elements, the brothers dance, sing and rap. The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble keeps it loose and fun, but among eight brothers, tensions will flare—especially on the road. One wonders how they manage to keep it together. “With so many creative and political minds, how do you stand in the circle? Who’s the leader?” asks trumpeter Amal Baji Hubert, aka Baji. “What’s the leader is the circle. Majority rules. It’s diplomatic and democratic.” This mindset is rooted in discipline, something instilled in these brothers at a young age. “Our father taught us, no matter what you pursue in life, I’m teaching you this and you have no choice,” recalls Baji. “Because no matter what you do, you’ll always have this to fall back on. And I swear to God, if I wouldn’t kiss his muddy feet!” Add to this HBE’s ability to play without electricity and you have an unstoppable music force. They once showed up the Rolling Stones when rain made it too dangerous to keep the power on. It happened again in their hometown. “We played at the Africa Fest in Chicago,” remembers Baji. “I don’t mean to sound stereotypical, but… black folk don’t stand in the rain! They just don’t! It was just very uplifting.” That’s why they do what they do, Baji adds. “Music is medicine for your soul. We are continuing the legacy of our father. Where would this world be without your favourite song?” WITH NOMADIC MASSIVE, SCOTT C |
