Acclaimed Funky Brass & Fusion Band BONERAMA is a band that in many ways defies categorization. A funky rock band with brass - a funky brass band that rocks! Bonerama is a "brass-band force of nature" raves NPR.
Bonerama is a New Orleans-based band that fuses everything that has made that city's music famous into a genre defying gumbo. The band has taken the best elements of Rock, Soul, Fusion, Pop, Jazz, Funk, Brass, Gospel and Blues to forge its unique sound.
Formed in 1998, Bonerama is the brainchild of trombone players Mark Mullins and Craig Klein (who from 1990-2006, were also members of Harry Connick Jr.'s big band). Currently comprised of Mullins (Trombone, Electric Trombone and Lead Vocals), Klein (Trombone and Lead Vocals), Greg Hicks (Trombone and Vocals), Bert Cotton (Lead Guitar), Matt Perrine (Sousaphone and Electric Bass) and Walt Lundy (Drums), Bonerama is one of the funkiest and most unique bands to ever come out of New Orleans!
Equally adept at delivering extraordinary originals or blistering covers of artists as diverse as Led Zeppelin; The Beatles; The Allman Brothers; Jimi Hendrix, even Black Sabbath, Bonerama's distinctive, inimitable, genuine, one-of-a-kind sound is unmatched, high-energy, fun, dynamic and bold. Over the years, Bonerama has joined forces with many prominent musicians on stage or in the studio such as R.E.M., Little Feat, OKGo, Nicole Atkins, George Porter Jr., The Radiators, Ivan Neville, Galactic and many more. Whoever Bonerama teams-up with gets an interesting and personal take on Bonerama's style of music infusing a piece of their own genetics into the band vibe of whoever they are joining. Simply put, Bonerama's sound is a melange unlike anything else. By placing the trombones, up front and center stage as the lead instrument, Bonerama is different in the best possible way. Not only is the band's music unique but it is drenched with the New Orleans's DNA that flows through the veins of the band's members and it works!
A Bonerama concert is life-changing and will permanently alter how one views popular music. When seeing Bonerama live, attendees are treated to a masterclass that is both a musical time machine and a trip through 20th and early 21st Century popular music. Audience members are magically transported to old New Orleans (via tunes like Mr. Okra, an original about the New Orleans character and treasure Arthur Robinson who sold vegetables from his truck, Let The Four Winds Blow, Iko Iko, Big Chief, and Indian Red); current New Orleans (with its funk, rock and jazz-flavored originals such as Shake Your Rugalator, Bad Dog, Hard Times, and Hot Like Fire); Classic or Alternative radio (through unconventional and unsuspected covers of When The Levee Breaks, Frankenstein, Helter Skelter Whipping Post, Crosstown Traffic, War Pigs and Paranoid Android) as well as familiar traditional gems and nuggets (such as What A Wonderful World, When My Dreamboat Comes Home and Down By The Riverside). Every song is performed with a high-energy and spicy concoction of deliciously Southern funky New Orleans attitude and joy.
The band's appeal and fan-base is spread across the globe. Over the past 24 years, Bonerama has been recognized as one of New Orleans' best-loved touring bands making numerous stops each year in New York City; Washington, DC; Chicago; Philadelphia; St. Louis and many other U.S. markets. More than a New Orleans band, Bonerama also has a huge international following. It makes frequent trips to Brazil with tour stops in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and other locations in that country playing to large scale audiences of all ages that are wowed by the band's unique sound, catalog and deep New Orleans roots.
During its career, Bonerama has delivered seven major releases. It's most recent full-length album, Bonerama Plays Zeppelin (2019 Basin Street Records), was one of the best-selling albums at New Orleans Jazz Fest in 2019.
Bonerama is a band that truly resides in a class of its own. Its jazzified, funkified, rhythmic and rockin' brass band music is unequaled and unparalleled. Once heard, it leaves an indelible imprint upon the listener that can never be forgotten.
What a show these guys put. We enjoyed every moment. They sure know how to use these trombones. And tuba. And drums. And guitar. Excellent vocals though it was a little hard to hear with the music. A must see!
What a great night with Bonarama at Jimmy J’s in Portsmouth. The venue is beautiful and offers excellent service as well as reasonable prices for both tickets and food/drinks. The band played a great set of New Orleans-influenced music including some unique covers of classic tunes. I hope to see Bonarama again at Jimmy J’s!
Would see them every time they came to town. Great music and energy! Nobody wanted it to end ! dancing everyone
I've been wanting to see these guys for over a year. They are amazing and I will see them again the first chance I get.
Our favorite part of the show was Glen David Andrews & his terrific band. So much energy, great musicians, especially saxophonist, & we love Glen Andrews screaming, sweating & shouting!! On the down side, there was too much time between acts but overall it was a great tribute to the music of New Orleans. Next time, more Glen David Andrews & more tribute music of James Booker. But get the sound & band transition time down so the energy of the show is not lost.
