The first time I saw the Rebirth Brass Band was in New Orleans, over a decade ago, when they became known for tearing it up brass-and-swing style for hours upon hours, attracting a wide swath of dancin’ local youth. They threw it down back then, and they still do now, getting into tuba-pumped brass band jams with some sublime horn sections and polyphonic rhythms. Since I last saw them, they picked up a Grammy for their efforts. Way to roll New Orleans…

The occasion? Wanderlust brought them in for the Olympic Plaza stage on Friday night, thanks to Muni RMI funds as part of the free concert series. They stormed the stage after a mass yoga stretch-in that filled the space to the max with mats & lulu.

For those that stuck it out into the night’s chill (what’s with the fast Fall this year, dammit?) it was a serious groove session that will go down in memorable history.

Thanks to the Muni employee who kept the fire going in the beer pit (apparently the starter is busted; they’re working on it). Here’s to the unsung hero of Rebirth, the tuba man: