The Rumble feat. Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. – Sterling Lounge – June 20-22
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE
The Rumble, newly formed band featuring former members of Cha Wa, made their debut in February 2022. After their exodus from Cha Wa, the musicians pledged to honor and further their musical impetus to blend New Orleans’ culture from the past and present into the future. They also aim to continue the legacy of Mardi Gras Indian funk, which was in part pioneered by Boudreaux’s father Big Chief Monk Boudreaux with the Wild Magnolias.
Below information comes from an article by Jake Clapp that was published in New Orleans’ based newspaper the Gambit. You can read the full article here.
The Rumble is among a generation of young New Orleans artists and culture bearers working to protect ownership over the traditions they’re now shepherding. They’re learning from the mistakes made by past generations in order to see the culture into the future.
“Ownership of what we do is very important in the creation of The Rumble,” Boudreaux says simply, “not only because you should own what you create — that’s only fair — but it’s been so many times that outside people have come to New Orleans and capitalized on New Orleans music by New Orleans musicians.”
Seven of the original members of The Rumble — Boudreaux, Barnes, trombonist Jose Maize Jr., bassist TJ Norris, saxophonist Gladney, guitarist Ari Teitel and keyboardist Andriu Yanovski — had all played together in Cha Wa for several years, making up the heart of the acclaimed funk band. Soon after they left to form The Rumble, they were joined by drummer Trenton O’Neal. And late last year, Gladney decided to part ways with the band in order to pursue new projects.
Each is an accomplished musician in their own right, playing regularly with a range of other bands and artists — and each comes to the band with a unique perspective.
“Everybody has their own voice that they’ve cultivated and worked on really hard, and some may have a more jazz background, some may have a more funk background, some may have a more brass band background,” Yanovski says. “So when we all get together, we have so many musical influences to draw upon. You’re not just seeing a funk band when you see The Rumble. You’re not just seeing a Mardi Gras Indian band. You’re seeing an amalgamation that can only really happen with this specific group of people.”
Students of the cultural traditions of which they’re a part, The Rumble is a cross-section of New Orleans itself. Their name is inspired by the crowd noises, the tambourines, the singing and shouts — the rumble — that can be heard following the Big Chief coming down the street on Mardi Gras Day.
“We’re bringing a full-on New Orleans experience,” Barnes told Gambit in February 2022. “It includes Mardi Gras Indians. It includes brass bands. It includes things like Skull and Bones Gang. It’s a holistic approach to New Orleans culture.”
In May 2023, The Rumble dropped their first release, a live album recorded at the Maple Leaf. (which won a 2024 GRAMMY for Best Regional Roots Album)