Who says a saxophonist can’t be the star of the show? Washington high school band Kick Brass is here to prove everyone wrong, delivering a jaw-dropping, funk-fueled performance at their school’s talent show that took the internet by storm! Their electrifying medley of 20th-century funk hits has since gone viral, and trust us—you’ve never seen anything like it.
We love a mix of talent, charisma, and sheer fun, and Kick Brass serves it all on a silver platter. The five-member freshman band—featuring two saxophonists, a trumpeter, a tuba player, and a drummer—takes the stage with confidence. Right off the bat, the lead saxophonist shamelessly plugs their upcoming gigs, proving these kids mean business. Then, with a cheeky warning—“We’re gonna take you all down to a place we like to call Funkytown”—the frontman kicks off the show. What no one saw coming? The absolute dance explosion that followed!
From the very first note, the lead saxophonist’s feet take on a life of their own, shuffling wildly like he’s headlining his own music video. Meanwhile, his bandmates keep things tight with a flawless brass section, creating a funky sound so rich, you’d swear it was straight out of the ‘80s. Their rendition of Lipps Inc.’s Funkytown is nothing short of legendary—every electronic element is transformed into a bold, brassy masterpiece, with the sax leading the charge.
But Kick Brass isn’t done yet! They take the audience on a full-blown funk journey, seamlessly transitioning into a high-energy version of James Brown’s I Got You (I Feel Good). The crowd erupts, hooting and hollering as the saxophonists trade solos, harmonizing with jaw-dropping precision. The trumpeter, meanwhile, blasts out some insane high notes, leaving everyone in awe.
By the time their set comes to a close, the stage is littered with roses, and the other talent show contestants return for the final bow. The verdict? An unforgettable performance that solidified Kick Brass as rising stars!
The band—made up of trumpeter Jake Bailey, baritone sax and trombone player Ethan Tang, sousaphonist Colton Gehring, tenor saxophonist Oliver Abercrombie, and drummer Mya Grymes—was just getting started. After their talent show performance went viral, racking up over 1 million views on YouTube, they took their act on the road! In 2023, they rocked the stage at the Oak Harbor Music Festival and even provided the high-energy soundtrack for Orlando’s Southern Barbecue, getting the crowd grooving with red-hot riffs and funk-fueled beats.
With moves like these, Kick Brass is a name you won’t be forgetting anytime soon!
