Hire Hot Gumbo Brass | New Orleans band in London

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From£1500

1 hour

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A few of our songs

Playing "Upstairs @ Ronnie Scott's"

Playing "Don't Worry Be Happy"

About Hot Gumbo Brass

London's top New Orleans style brass band. Parties, parades, memorials, festivals. Fun and lively with an amazing groove!

3 of 13 photos

New Orleans band

London

Public liability insurance of £10 million

"Hot Gumbo", based in London, are inspired by the New Orleans brass band tradition, also incorporating influences from other cultures and styles – swing, Latin, Caribbean, gospel, blues... This is all tied together with top class musicianship and a sense fun, giving the band its own unique sound. Sousaphone player Graham Hughes formed the band in 2007, and from the outset the focus was on spontaneity, energy, interaction and joy. They play their own arrangements of popular songs, classic New Orleans repertoire, interpretations of music from other genres as well as songs composed by members of the band. This gives the "Hot Gumbo" their own unique sound unlike any other brass band in the UK. Described as a band that “is totally impossible not to enjoy”, The Hot Gumbo brass band has been inspiring people of all ages and tastes at clubs, arts centres and festivals across the UK. In the last couple of years they have been performing regularly at Ronnie Scott’s famous jazz club in London to sell-out audiences.

Hot Gumbo Brass

5 out of 5

2 verified reviews

Hot Gumbo Brass' Reviews

5 out of 5

We just wanted to send a message to say thank you so much to you and the band for making the day so extra special. Everyone loved the music and had a brilliant time!!

5 out of 5

Graham - you and the boys were ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS, you rocked it!!! Everyone was totally delighted with your performance, it couldn't have been more perfect. I do hope you also had a bit of fun. Would love to book you all again so will be in touch about dates for the autumn. HUGE THANKS AGAIN

Read all 8 reviews

Hot Gumbo Brass' Song list

Standard Repertoire:

All on a Mardi Gras Day

Bei Mir Bist Du Schon

Bogolusa Strut

Bourbon Street

Bring Me Sunshine

Canal Street Blues

Caravan

Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom

Chicken (The)

Cissie Strut

Comes Love

Dark Eyes

Don’t Worry Be Happy

Doctor Jazz

Down By The Riverside

Down to New Orleans

Drink A Little Poison

Feel So Fine

Fungi Mamma

Garden of Love

Get Out Here and Go On Home

Got my Mojo

Grazing in the Grass

Hand Jive

Honeysuckle Rose

I Feel Like Funkin It Up

I Get The Blues When It Rains

Iko

I’m In The Mood For Love

I’m Walking

It Ain’t My Fault

It’s All Over Now

Jambalaya

Joe Avery

Junko Partner

Just A Closer Walk

Lily of the Valley

Mack The Knife

Mama Innes

Mardi Gras In New Orleans

Mardi Gras Mambo

Mazeltov

Miserlou

Night Train

Old Man River

Oh When the Saints

Over in the Gloryland

Perdido

Shake Your Rugulator

Shrimp and Gumbo

Stormy Weather

Swing Low

Tootie Ma

Tico Tico

Underneath a mango tree

Up A Lazy River

Wade In The Water

Weary Blues

Washington and Lee Swing

Whooping Blues

Yellow Bird

"Pop" repertoire. We could play a few by request, but not an entire set of these. We may be able to play others by request. We are a New Orleans band though, not a covers band.

Aint No Sunshine When She’s Gone

Bad Romance

Blame it on the boogie

Can’t Buy Me Love

Crazy in Love,

Dance The Night Away

Don’t Worry, Be Happy

Eye of the Tiger

Go West,

Happy,

Hand Jive,

Hard Day’s Night

Hey Good Lookin’

High Heeled Sneakers,

Human Nature

I Feel Good

I Got A Woman

I Love You Baby

I Will Survive,

In The Summertime

It Must Be Love

Johnny B Goode

La Bamba

Let’s Twist Again

Miserlou (Pulp Fiction theme)

Obladi Oblada

Papa Loves Mambo

Ready or Not,

Relax,

Respect,

Rocky Theme

Hot Gumbo Brass' Prices

Last updated: 2025

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Performance duration	Price
Up to 1 hour	£1500
Up to 2 hours	£1600
Up to 3 hours	£1750

Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

Fun and lively with great grooves. As an acoustic band during a reception we provide a fabulous backing. As a party band to dance to we have a funky New Orleans vibe!

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

2012 Olympic Games 2012 Paralympic Games 2015 Rugby World Cup Wilderness Festival Many fazz festivals, Various arts centres and theatres, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, London Chelsea Flower Show Hampton Court Flower Show Quay Arts Centre, Isle of Wight, St Martin in the Fields, London And dozens and dozens of other events large and small.

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Rebirth Brass Band, Lester Bowie, Louis Armstrong, other bands from New Orleans, musicians we play with in the UK

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

We treat every gig as 'high profile' - we don't need a huge stage to enjoy playing our music and entertaining others. We have played on large stages and had standing ovations, but playing for a small party of people who love what we do is just as rewarding.

Do you have different line-up options?

The band sounds best as a six or seven piece lineup. As the band usually has no keyboard or guitar you need enough brass to fill out the harmony and play riffs. We can do a version as a four (or even three) piece that uses guitar or banjo, and without drums.

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

We always do our best to be accommodating if times change, but there are occasions when some of the band might be coming from bookings, or going on to others so the sooner we know about changes the better. We try to programme in a bit of lee-way in bookings though.

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

Very often the band plays acoustically, but if we are using a PA you'd be welcome to plug some music in during our breaks.

How much time do you need to set up?

For acoustic gigs just 5 or 10 minutes. If PA is required it might take 15 or 20 minutes.

Can you roam around while you perform?

Yes - this is one of our selling points!

Can I pick the songs you play from the set list?

You may request one or two songs but we'd prefer some freedom in our choice of what to play when. We can play a few pop songs, but we aren't a pop cover band so if it's just covers you want we may not be the best choice of band.

Is all of the equipment (e.g. PA & lighting) included in your quote?

Yes. Although we don't have a lighting set-up.

Can you learn song requests before the event?

If the song is appropriate for our style of band we can. If it requires a lot of time transcribing and arranging it then we may ask for a fee. Feel free to discuss with us. Requests on the gig are not always possible, so best to discuss before hand.

Musicianship

Genres:

Jazz, Christmas, 1930s era music, 1940s era music, 1950s era music, Blues, Gospel, Latin jazz, Jazz fusion, Marching

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Types:

New Orleans band, Marching band, Brass band, Jazz band

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Event types:

Private event, Wedding, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Bar / Club / Venue event, Hotel / Restaurant event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Theatre / Show, Christmas party, Birthday party, New Year's Eve

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