Album Review: Preservation Brass - For Fat Man

Preservation Brass

For Fat Man

***and1/2 out of *****

Originally, the debut album from Preservation Brass, a subset of the famous Preservation Hall Jazz Band, was not meant as a tribute, but when the New Orleans bass drumming legend Kerry “Fat Man” Hunter was killed in an automobile accident on Mardi Gras Day 2024, the tone shifted. 

Kevin Louis, coronet player and driving force behind the record stated that he "wanted to capture what was going on at the Hall on Monday nights, and from the beginning, Fat Man was key to the recording". After a brief Mardi Gras Indian intro, the easy strolling "Bagatelle" comes alive with that old-timey jazz vibe adds a little bit of bounce to it's step.

The popping snare drums of "Lucky Dog" get the groove rolling as dance floors would be filling up as the outfit gets loose. Playing on the album with Louis are, trumpeter and Preservation Brass leader Mark Braud, sousaphone player Julius McKee, trumpeter Wendell Brunious, trombone players Ronell Johnson and Richard Anderson, saxophonist Roderick Paulin, clarinetist Bruce Brackman, snare drummer Glen Finister Andrews and percussionist Gerald French.

The trad jazz pumps with the call and response "Slide Frog Slide" while the Afro-Cuban groove that percolates in these tunes comes to the forefront during "That Dada Strain". "Hot Sausage Rag" is a mellow highlight with sultry, swirling and snaking brass work while "Climax Rag" is also more restrained, despite the title. 

The low end takes centerstage for Brass' grooving rendition of "Bill Bailey Won't You Please Come Home" which cooks, while the standard "Careless Love" is slowed down to funeral procession speed as the somber tune flows out. The party kicks back up though with an album closing medley that rifles through a bunch of New Orleans standards with strong vocals, energy and joy. 

Regarding Hunter, Louis stated:

“Fat Man was a beautiful, peaceful soul. If I wanted to know what was going on in the streets, where the second line was, or who was playing, I’m calling Fat. With him checking out the way he did and when he did, it’s only right we dedicate this album to him. I mean, his funeral literally had the whole brass band community there – every single brass band in New Orleans was represented! Fat Man forever!”

Preservation Brass' For Fat Man is a loving tribute and an excellent collection of the city of New Orleans brass band music. 

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