BRAINERD — When Brainerd High School band director Chris Fogderud heard KAXE's Album of the Week on March 3, his ears perked up.
Hot 8 Brass Band's latest album Big Tuba, with its "vibrant sound and positive message," was the KAXE Music Team's pick for Mardi Gras week. But that wasn't what caught Fogderud's attention.
The BHS band was leaving for New Orleans in five days and would soon be participating in a workshop with the Hot 8 Brass Band.
Fogderud talked about the band's trip on a recent edition of "Bright Spot" on the KAXE Morning Show, along with one of the band's percussionists, Leo Justin.
"It was nuts to work with people that are at that level of musicianship and just, like, masters at what they do," Justin said.
Fogderud said the Hot 8 Brass Band taught his students a traditional New Orleans blues song, which they then played together.
While in New Orleans, the high school band also got to hear the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band, participate in an exchange concert with Homer Plessy Community Schools and take part in a clinic at Loyola University.
"It was overall just an incredible trip full of a lot of musical experiences that we don't get in our backyard," Fogderud said.
The band is getting ready for its Minnesota State High School League large group contest and solo and ensemble competitions in April.
Students are also looking forward to a jazz band concert on May 15 with special guest Sherrie Maricle, a world-renowned drummer from the Philadelphia-based Diva Jazz Orchestra.
Listen to our full conversation with Fogderud and Justin above.
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The Bright Spot is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.
