Kirk Joseph facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kirk Joseph
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Kirk Joseph at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, 2008
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| Background information | |
| Born | February 16, 1961 New Orleans |
| Genres | Rhythm and blues, Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Sousaphone |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Associated acts | Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Forgotten Souls Brass Band, Treme Brass Band, Backyard Groove |
Kirk Joseph (born February 16, 1961) is a famous jazz sousaphone player from New Orleans, Louisiana. He is known for his amazing talent with the sousaphone, a very large brass instrument. Kirk helped bring back the exciting brass band music style in New Orleans.
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Early Life and Musical Start
Kirk Joseph grew up surrounded by music. His dad, Waldren "Frog" Joseph, was a great trombone player. Kirk started playing the sousaphone when he was in middle school. He was only fifteen when he played his first professional show. His brother, Charles, invited him to play at a funeral with the Majestic Band.
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
In 1977, Kirk became one of the first members of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. This group is famous for bringing back the traditional brass band sound in New Orleans. Kirk has also played with other bands like the Treme Brass Band and Forgotten Souls Brass Band. Today, he leads his own band called Backyard Groove.
Kirk's Unique Sound
People call Kirk Joseph a "modern sousaphone pioneer." This means he created new ways to play the sousaphone. He was inspired by another famous New Orleans tuba player, Anthony "Tuba Fats" Lacen. Kirk said that "Tuba Fats" was the first person he heard make the sousaphone sound like a bass guitar. Kirk took that idea and made it his own.
The way Kirk and "Tuba Fats" played helped create the modern New Orleans brass band sound. This style mixes old-fashioned marching band music with Dixieland jazz and funk influences.
Awards and Recognition
Kirk Joseph has won several awards for his amazing sousaphone playing. He has been honored multiple times at OffBeat's Best of The Beat Awards. He won "Best Tuba/Sousaphonist" in 2006, 2007, 2013, 2020, and 2023.
