Band - Brass Animals

About us

Since 2013, the Brass Animals, have delighted audiences of all shapes and sizes at corporate events, weddings, private and special events, and sporting events all over the country. Our sound fuses the popular New Orleans-style brass band style with an eclectic blend of hip-hop, R&B, funk and pop. Typical performances include explosive renditions of recent favorites by artists like Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Aaliyah, Bad Bunny, and Janelle Monáe, as well as our own spin on vintage classics by Louis Armstrong, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Herbie Hancock, The Meters and more.

We’ve worked with the established companies and organizations like the Oakland Raiders, Google, Jack Daniels, Salesforce, the San Jose Earthquakes, St. Elmos Brewing Company, Genentech, and Marriott International. We’ve also performed for many engaged couples and newlyweds and have been recognized as a 2018 Couples Choice Award Winner by WeddingWire. If you’d like to read about our past clients’ experiences, please check out the dozens of raving reviews on our website, GigSalad, or GigMasters.

Our local troupes, which are currently located in California, Texas, Georgia, New York, and Illinois, are comprised of professional musicians who have decades of experience and have performed with one of our troupes multiple times. Please contact us today if you’re interested in a quote.

Our master song list is mile long

We have learned songs from many different genres. Take a look below and see if our song mix fits your needs.

Check song list

We played all kind of events

Click below to watch our live performances.

Watch videos

We have troupes all over the country

We likely have a troupe located close to your next event, click below to see all locations.

See locations

Gallery

Ellie and Eric Wedding

San Francisco Holiday Party

Slack Pride Parade

Raiders Games

Michelle Little Wedding

Kate Townsend Wedding

Joellene & Heidi

Earthquakes Photos

Chicago Band

Charleston 2nd Line

Beignets Blog (Powderface)

Beignets Blog (Poor House Bistro)

Beignets Blog (Himming Bird Cafe)

Beignets Blog (CreoLA)

Mackenzie & Riley Wedding

Lindsay

07/11/2019

The Brass Animals set the tone for our entire wedding. The energy and excitement from our guests really connected everyone as we walked and danced to the reception. Our wedding was so unique, we have been told countless times how amazing it was, thank you to the Brass Animals. The music was awesome, a selection of old and new, made it so hard to pick. We can’t imagine what the day would have been like without them. The day was so special and will forever stand out as one of the best weddings ever to many of our guests since it was so different and festive. Stop thinking about, and book them, you will have no regrets.

Lauren S.

12/10/2019

These guys are AMAZING, so kind, responsive, flexible and fun. I could not recommend them more, they are now my go to band for any sort of surprise. You’re missing out if you don’t hire them! Thanks Brass Animals!

Stephanie

08/18/2018

Brass Animals are so easy to work with. If you want a special song to be covered, they got it. No need to stress as they learn new pieces to play all the time which makes it fun and current. It’s taking your favorite sounds and putting them to current tunes to keep the party alive. I loved having them at my event, everyone was dancing and enjoying such a different vibe then having a DJ or traditional live band. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for some fun flare to their big event or wedding.

Matt

08/01/2019

My wife and I were on the fence about hiring a band to perform at our wedding because we found it extremely difficult to find one that could execute our vision and work within our budget . Through the search process, we either found that bands were priced at a premium, having you question whether they’d be worth it, or were affordable but only had decent reviews, appeared as mediocre, and/or lacked a “wow” factor. There was a moment where we felt that hiring a band felt forced because “it was the thing to do” but we couldn’t find the right fit. This feeling quickly dissipated when we came across Brass Animals- from the moment of connecting with them, we knew they were what we were looking for. Ben was communicative throughout the planning process and beyond helpful when it came to providing us content from their previous wedding gigs. He was also really detail oriented and organized when it came to planning leading up to our wedding day. We had a specific vision in having Brass Animals play softer, more conversational yet fun jazz music during our cocktail hour but then to perform alongside our DJ during the reception, improving to the melody of the DJ set while engaging with the crowd . Ben understood our need and coordinated with our DJ in advance to make sure everyone was on the same page. The band perfectly executed what we were looking for- they pivoted between improving with the DJ while working the crowd to playing more coordinated music alongside the music (songs like Havana, California Love, Touch the Sky, and I want you back). They were extremely lively, fun, and always on key ! Ben and the Brass Animal band were unreal and outperformed our expectations. They not only executed our vision but created such a powerful impact at our wedding, creating a unique feel to the night and fueling the party. If there was one thing our guests were talking about, it was Brass Animals. Everyone came up to my wife and I saying they’ve never seen or experienced music performed at a wedding like what the Brass Animals did on our special day. Brass Animals was such a crucial piece to our wedding experience and we can’t express how unbelievable they were- do not have any hesitations in booking these guys. My wife and I were on the fence about hiring a band to perform at our wedding because we found it extremely difficult to find one that could execute our vision and work within our budget . Through the search process, we either found that bands were priced at a premium, having you question whether they’d be worth it, or were affordable but only had decent reviews, appeared as mediocre, and/or lacked a “wow” factor. There was a moment where we felt that hiring a band felt forced because “it was the thing to do” but we couldn’t find the right fit. This feeling quickly dissipated when we came across Brass Animals- from the moment of connecting with them, we knew they were what we were looking for.
Ben was communicative throughout the planning process and beyond helpful when it came to providing us content from their previous wedding gigs. He was also really detail oriented and organized when it came to planning leading up to our wedding day. We had a specific vision in having Brass Animals play softer, more conversational yet fun jazz music during our cocktail hour but then to perform alongside our DJ during the reception, improving to the melody of the DJ set while engaging with the crowd . Ben understood our need and coordinated with our DJ in advance to make sure everyone was on the same page. The band perfectly executed what we were looking for- they pivoted between improving with the DJ while working the crowd to playing more coordinated music alongside the music (songs like Havana, California Love, Touch the Sky, and I want you back). They were extremely lively, fun, and always on key ! Ben and the Brass Animal band were unreal and outperformed our expectations. They not only executed our vision but created such a powerful impact at our wedding, creating a unique feel to the night and fueling the party. If there was one thing our guests were talking about, it was Brass Animals. Everyone came up to my wife and I saying they’ve never seen or experienced music performed at a wedding like what the Brass Animals did on our special day. Brass Animals was such a crucial piece to our wedding experience and we can’t express how unbelievable they were- do not have any hesitations in booking these guys !

Trista M.

07/03/2019

This was actually our second time hiring the Brass Animals, so we knew we’d love them for our wedding. Our wedding was a day-time, brunch wedding so we wanted something fun and unique from our band. Ben is so responsive, so experienced, and was so accommodating to bring our vision to life. Our venue initially had some concerns about volume level, but Ben and the group are so experienced with all different types of venue requirements that concerns was quickly eased. We had Ben and the band lead our guests from our cocktail hour into our reception space with a fun, roving introduction! Ben played emcee for us throughout the day and totally read the crowd for what people wanted. As I mentioned, this was our second time hiring them, as we hired them for my husbands 30th birthday party and we fell in love with them and attended several of their gigs around the Bay Area. Ben is willing to work with you to make your vision come to life at a budget that works for you. We could not recommend Brass Animals any more highly! Book them! This was actually our second time hiring the Brass Animals, so we knew we’d love them for our wedding. Our wedding was a day-time, brunch wedding so we wanted something fun and unique from our band. Ben is so responsive, so experienced, and was so accommodating to bring our vision to life. Our venue initially had some concerns about volume level, but Ben and the group are so experienced with all different types of venue requirements that concerns was quickly eased.
We had Ben and the band lead our guests from our cocktail hour into our reception space with a fun, roving introduction! Ben played emcee for us throughout the day and totally read the crowd for what people wanted. As I mentioned, this was our second time hiring them, as we hired them for my husbands 30th birthday party and we fell in love with them and attended several of their gigs around the Bay Area. Ben is willing to work with you to make your vision come to life at a budget that works for you. We could not recommend Brass Animals any more highly! Book them!

J Tavarez

12/19/2019

We hired Ben, and the rest of the band to play at our wedding and it was one of the best decisions we made. Ben quickly became one of our favorite vendors, with his accommodating and flexible demeanor. We had a few hiccups because of the California fires, where our venue was changed 3 days prior to our wedding, Ben was so kind to send us a bottle of bubbles with a sweet note, to raise our spirits in the middle of a stressful time. Wedding day, the whole band was on time, and very professional, and they became one of our wedding highlights! All of our guests loved having them there, and they were engaging and fun. I would hire them all over again, and I definitely, highly recommend them! You will not regret it. We hired Ben, and the rest of the band to play at our wedding and it was one of the best decisions we made. Ben quickly became one of our favorite vendors, with his accommodating and flexible demeanor. We had a few hiccups because of the California fires, where our venue was changed 3 days prior to our wedding, Ben was so kind to send us a bottle of bubbles with a sweet note, to raise our spirits in the middle of a stressful time. Wedding day, the whole band was on time, and very professional, and they became one of our wedding highlights! All of our guests loved having them there, and they were engaging and fun. I would hire them all over again, and I definitely, highly recommend them! You will not regret it.

Kate

10/09/2018

Brass Animals were amazing! I asked them to play a second line parade after our wedding as a surprise for my husband and it went perfectly. Ben was so flexible and accommodating with last minute scheduling updates and minor location changes and everything was handled so smoothly. Our guests had so much fun walking around City Hall with the band, and most importantly, my husband loved the New Orleans-themed surprise. They were great musicians and I’m so happy with how everything went. Brass Animals were amazing! I asked them to play a second line parade after our wedding as a surprise for my husband and it went perfectly. Ben was so flexible and accommodating with last minute scheduling updates and minor location changes and everything was handled so smoothly. Our guests had so much fun walking around City Hall with the band, and most importantly, my husband loved the New Orleans-themed surprise. They were great musicians and I’m so happy with how everything went.

Joellene

09/11/2018

Booking Brass Animals for our wedding was the best decision ever! They were so nice and easy to work with and their energy got the crowd going! They sounded amazing! Our guests were impressed and inquired how we found them. Guests said it made the wedding even more special. Our catering company even thought it was one of the best bands they’ve heard at our venue. Worth every penny! Thank guys!! Booking Brass Animals for our wedding was the best decision ever! They were so nice and easy to work with and their energy got the crowd going! They sounded amazing! Our guests were impressed and inquired how we found them. Guests said it made the wedding even more special. Our catering company even thought it was one of the best bands they’ve heard at our venue. Worth every penny! Thank guys!!

Alexis

08/06/2018

The band is great energy!! Really well run, super professional, and everyone gets so into the music. The band is great energy!! Really well run, super professional, and everyone gets so into the music.

Jenny

08/12/2018

These guys are awesome! Saw them play at my friends wedding and they got the whole wedding rocking. We loved the music and vibe so much we decided to hire them for our own wedding and they did not disappoint. They’re super flexible on the playlist and for the amount of musicians and length of time, their pricing was pretty fair. Highly recommend. These guys are awesome! Saw them play at my friends wedding and they got the whole wedding rocking. We loved the music and vibe so much we decided to hire them for our own wedding and they did not disappoint. They’re super flexible on the playlist and for the amount of musicians and length of time, their pricing was pretty fair. Highly recommend.

Michael

10/24/2017

The Brass Animals are INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!! This was the absolute highlight of the entire wedding for all of our guests. Everyone loved the music, and the energy was through the roof! The Brass Animals are INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!! This was the absolute highlight of the entire wedding for all of our guests. Everyone loved the music, and the energy was through the roof!

Joanna

10/22/2017

Brass Animals killed it at our wedding! They were truly outstanding. Our pre-wedding communication was so helpful, Speaking with Ben beforehand and going over the timeline and having him make suggestions according to our venue and style of party we were looking for. He even went and checked out the venue on his own a few weeks before the wedding. We had an outdoor Sunday bbq and the band was perfect! They play a great Horah and the 2nd line got everyone involved and we had a lot of Baby Boom generation there. Everyone loved the band, young and old! I can’t recommend BA enough. They will make your party awesome!! Ben is a great MC too. Brass Animals killed it at our wedding! They were truly outstanding. Our pre-wedding communication was so helpful, Speaking with Ben beforehand and going over the timeline and having him make suggestions according to our venue and style of party we were looking for. He even went and checked out the venue on his own a few weeks before the wedding. We had an outdoor Sunday bbq and the band was perfect! They play a great Horah and the 2nd line got everyone involved and we had a lot of Baby Boom generation there. Everyone loved the band, young and old! I can’t recommend BA enough. They will make your party awesome!! Ben is a great MC too.

Jack

10/24/2017

These guys 100% nailed the vibe of our wedding. The brought the party and THEN some. We knew from the outset that we wanted a brass band for our reception to help create big noise, atmosphere and a little theatre, and these guys did not disappoint. Every one of our guests we’ve spoken to since has made a point of saying how incredible the the Brass Animals were. They were so receptive to our ideas in terms of set list and even learned a couple of additional songs last minute. They know exactly what they’re doing in terms of arranging super current pop / dance songs as well as hip-hop classics and old school crowd pleasing anthems. Not only are they fantastic musicians they are stellar guys, all of them, who engaged our guests at every opportunity and were reliable and responsive from the moment we signed the contract, right the way through to rehearsal, setting up, performance and striking at the end of the night – they didn’t miss a beat. Having these guys be a part of our special day was one of the best decisions we made, THANK YOU AGAIN SO MUCH, B.As. These guys 100% nailed the vibe of our wedding. The brought the party and THEN some. We knew from the outset that we wanted a brass band for our reception to help create big noise, atmosphere and a little theatre, and these guys did not disappoint. Every one of our guests we’ve spoken to since has made a point of saying how incredible the the Brass Animals were. They were so receptive to our ideas in terms of set list and even learned a couple of additional songs last minute. They know exactly what they’re doing in terms of arranging super current pop / dance songs as well as hip-hop classics and old school crowd pleasing anthems. Not only are they fantastic musicians they are stellar guys, all of them, who engaged our guests at every opportunity and were reliable and responsive from the moment we signed the contract, right the way through to rehearsal, setting up, performance and striking at the end of the night – they didn’t miss a beat. Having these guys be a part of our special day was one of the best decisions we made, THANK YOU AGAIN SO MUCH, B.As.

Dale

11/17/2017

Ben and the team are of the best bands you will find in San Francisco. I recommend them to a number of my friends having weddings and events in San Francisco however they are hard to book these days with the amount of high end events they are doing. I love how they cover modern songs with a full ensemble. If you want to hire a band pick them! Ben and the team are of the best bands you will find in San Francisco. I recommend them to a number of my friends having weddings and events in San Francisco however they are hard to book these days with the amount of high end events they are doing. I love how they cover modern songs with a full ensemble. If you want to hire a band pick them!

Jeffrey

12/27/2017

The Brass Animals are fantastic! I am so glad we booked them. Several friends told me that the second line march during our wedding was one of the most fun things they’ve done at a wedding. I would definitely recommend them to any couple looking to add some New Orleans style flair to their wedding. The Brass Animals are fantastic! I am so glad we booked them. Several friends told me that the second line march during our wedding was one of the most fun things they’ve done at a wedding. I would definitely recommend them to any couple looking to add some New Orleans style flair to their wedding.

Karen

09/24/2018

Ben and his band did an amazing job at our commitment ceremony. The communication beforehand was so thorough, and having live music definitely made the event so much more special. It’s also important to note that Brass Animals takes custom request in learning songs! They were tasked with arranging and learning a Japanese anime song. Ben arranged it, sent me a preview, and performed it awesomely! Ben and his band did an amazing job at our commitment ceremony. The communication beforehand was so thorough, and having live music definitely made the event so much more special. It’s also important to note that Brass Animals takes custom request in learning songs! They were tasked with arranging and learning a Japanese anime song. Ben arranged it, sent me a preview, and performed it awesomely!

Frequently Asked Questions

Our performances range from 15 to 135 minutes of music. This typically translates to three 45-min sets. We can play up to 90-minutes before we need to take a break. So while we can break up the time in any way that you’d like, please keep that in mind. We strive to be flexible so that we can best accommodate your request. When you receive a quote from us the quote will include the amount of time that you’ve request we play plus the time for us to set up, do a sound check, and break down.

We will provide an ipod, free of charge, to play music during our breaks. If you would prefer to play your own playlist, then we ask that you please provide an ipod or iphone that we can plug into our PA. If the show is an acoustic performance, then we can work with you to either bring a PA for the breaks or use whatever audio equipment is available at your venue.

We request a 25% non-refundable deposit at the time of signature. If you notify us within 90 days that your event is being cancelled, then we will refund you the rest of your balance.

Absolutely. We can send you a list of all of our songs and have you choose everything or we can recommend a set list, based on what we know about your event, and let you make changes based off of that. However, if you don’t want to have to worry about this, then we can put together a fantastic set list that you and your guests will definitely enjoy.

Yes. Your special requests are usually included in our agreement so that we know ahead of time how we can accomodate your requests. Common special requests include learning a specific song, dressing in a specific way, bringing someone onto the stage to give them a special performance. We’ve also been asked to have a special entrance, bring extra musicians and singers, and provide handkerchiefs and/or percussion instruments for second line parades. Our goal is to make sure that everyone has an amazing time. So we are down for almost anything.

Absolutely! We’re happy to travel anywhere someone is willing to hire us to perform (especially if your event is in Hawaii). When we perform for clients outside of California (and sometimes in California, depending on the location), we include travel and lodging expenses to our quotes. We do our best to find the best prices for flights, car rentals and hotels so that the additional cost is manageable.

Ready to book the Brass Animals for your next event?

Request a quote