This week’s Past, Present, Future, Live! features New Orleans trailblazers The Soul Rebels, whose eight-piece brass ensemble continues to push the boundaries of New Orleans' musical tradition. We talk with The Soul Rebels founder and drummer Lumar LeBlanc and trumpet players Marcus Hubbard and Julian Gosin about the band’s path from side project to international acclaim. 

After opening for the legendary Cyril Neville at Tipitina’s in 1991 and wowing him with their unbridled live performance, Cyril blessed them with the name “Soul Rebels” in honor of Bob Marley. The Soul Rebels carried that revolutionary spirit every step of the way, blending their masterful second-line brass band chops with elements of funk, soul, hip-hop, pop and rock, all the while receiving pushback from traditionalists who wouldn't accept their new sound. But over nearly three decades The Soul Rebels have kept pushing forward, bringing the music of their beloved hometown to huge audiences across the globe and collaborating with a list of artists unparalleled in its length and diversity, including Katy Perry, Nas, and Metallica. In the interview you’ll hear the guys reflect on some of those star-studded collaborations and what to expect from The Soul Rebels in 2021 and beyond.

At the end of the episode you’ll hear The Soul Rebels perform a pumping set from New Orleans. You can see videos of this set and all other Past, Present, Future, Live! performances on our show page or on the Osiris Media YouTube Channel. 

You'll find music from all the artists mentioned in this interview on our Past, Present, Future, Live! Spotify playlist. 

If you like what you hear, please give us a review on Apple Podcasts. 

Past, Present, Future, Live! is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted and Produced by RJ Bee. Executive Producers are Adam Caplan and Kirsten Cluthe. Production, Editing, Mixing, and original theme music by Brad Stratton. Show logo by Liz Bee Art & Design. To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply to the music you love, check out osirispod.com.

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