Revolutionary Snake Ensemble: I Want That Sound!

Jazz has been declared “dead” innumerable times since saxophonist Ken Field formed the Revolutionary Snake Ensemble (RSE) in 1990. The band obviously didn’t get the memo! In fact, it’s ironic that over the years rather than playing a “Second Line” dirge for jazz’s funeral, the horn-heavy sextet – inspired by the New Orleans brass band tradition – has been developing and cultivating a distinct sound critics and audiences alike hail for invigorating an illustrious musical heritage with fresh ideas, wit, and spunk while in the process attracting new and younger audiences to the music.  In fact, RSE has been at the forefront of the jazz renaissance The Guardian (UK) newspaper recently touted as a “new golden age”.

Over more than a quarter century of touring and performing in settings ranging from clubs and concert halls to festival and parades, RSE has been evolving and refining a unique sound that incorporates post-bop and avant jazz influences without ever losing its allegiance to the groove and the party spirit of NOLA.

I Want That Sound!, RSE’s fourth album, celebrates the band’s collective experience by providing a snapshot of where and what it is today – a tight, funky, fun, and heady unit that’s transgenerational in its appeal and whose music resonates with listeners on melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic levels.  The personnel heard on the album is Field’s current working band and the RSE line-up that has played continuously together the longest. I Want That Sound! is also the first in the band’s discography to feature all original material with all but the infectious opening track “Slippery When Wet” penned by Field.

Praise for RSE’s “Live Snakes” (2014)

“Mardi Gras on steroids…takes the Crescent City vibe to the next level…- Spectacular!”— “A mix of traditional New Orleans brass band, James Brown, Sun Ra and raucous street performer enthusiasm, RSE’s music is as fun as it is engaging.” — www.WonderingSound.com