The Brass Queens are a dynamic force ready to shatter the glass ceiling in the music industry. Based in Brooklyn, this female-led brass band is fueled by passion, grit, and fun. With a horn section exclusively featuring women, their sound draws deep inspiration from the rich New Orleans brass tradition, while adding their own fierce energy to the mix. The Brass Queens regularly tour nationally and internationally, lighting up festival stages like the Ottawa Jazz Festival, Northlands Music Festival, MusikFest, Duck Jazz Festival, and Exit Zero Jazz Festival.

Formed during the pandemic, Brass Queens started as a family-like unit, bonding over shared experiences while practicing in a Brooklyn home. Their co-founders, Alex Harris and Ally Chapel, came together out of frustration with the male-dominated brass band scene in New York City. Determined to showcase the immense talent of female musicians, they launched Brass Queens in March 2019. Since then, they’ve become an unstoppable force in the local music scene, earning the reputation as “the hardest working band in town.” Through outdoor street performances and pop-up events, they quickly amassed a dedicated following, especially during the pandemic when live music was sorely missed.

A core mission of Brass Queens is to bring their music to as many audiences as possible, pushing for greater visibility of female musicians in the brass world. Beyond festival stages, they’ve played prestigious events like The Met Gala, and for clients such as New Balance, Chanel, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany & Co., Bombas, Perrier, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Their impressive résumé also includes performances on Good Morning America, and iconic venues like The Capitol Theater, Brooklyn Bowl, and multiple shows at the historic Blue Note Jazz Club. In 2023, they were crowned the winners of We Love NYC’s Rider’s Choice Award, with New Yorkers voting them the favorite act of the MTA’s Music Under New York roster.

Musically, Brass Queens live at the intersection of New York’s vibrant energy and New Orleans’ soulful brass tradition. Their shows are a non-stop party where classic pop hits meet reggaeton rhythms, transporting audiences straight to the lively streets of Frenchman Street. Their debut EP, Royal Street (2021), captures this journey from New York to New Orleans with tracks like their cover of Cameo’s “Candy” and a fresh take on the traditional “Little Liza Jane.” Two years later, their first full-length album Black & Gold dropped, an ode to the loyal fanbase that supported them through virtual performances and socially distanced street shows during the pandemic.

Their next big release, Hot Tub Sessions Vol. I, set to drop on October 18, 2024, promises to be another exciting chapter in their meteoric rise.

See them in Chicago tomorrow at the Hideout, and beyond.

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