No one kept the music alive like The Chunky Hustle Brass Band during the pandemic. They played a free and safe show on the grass in Balboa Park every weekend for the people. Their motto is “We give the people not what they want, but what they need”. Which could not be more true in a time when us humans were locked up and isolated from our community. Led by sousaphonist Aaron Grag, who also teaches a free yoga class on Sundays in the park, CHuBB is keeping the New Orleans tradition alive here on the west coast. With their own spin of course. Adding elements of ska, soul, and funk, they draw from a wide range of influences. Drummer Ron Bocian is a Brass Band staple in SD. Originally from New Orleans he formed Euphoria Brass Band in 2011 alongside David Bandrowski and local jazz radio DJ, Drew Miller. We get the vibe that EBB has acted as mentors to this up and coming Brass Band.  

 Originally dubbed Crew D’Etat Brass Band, The Chunky Hustle Brass Band (CHuBB) began in 2018 as a group of musical citizens wanting to support the equality march and women’s march  

“We gathered on Mission Bay late afternoons through sunsets and under full moons creating a palette of New Orleans street funk and  classic and contemporary R&B. The joy the music brought evolved our desire to form Crew D’Etat Brass Band now a notable outfit in the San Diego music scene.” -taken from (https://chunkyhustlebrassband.com)  

Whether ChuBB is performing a highly creative original tune by Aaron or another member, or they are doing an arrangement of a popular tune, these guys always make you dance and smile. There is a lot of light and love in this band that’s for sure. We had the pleasure of hosting Trombonist, Wili Flemming’s group Fresh Veggies Micro Brass, on Ep.008 that also features Aaron Gragg on the Sousaphone. (youtu.be/htxn2YCSbQ4) Keep your eye’s peeled for the new album by ChuBB dropping soon!   

Chunky Hustle Brass Band is  

Aaron Gragg- Sousaphone  

Zack Feigenbaum- Tenor Sax 

Rob Bocian- Drum Kit 

Alan Cheatham- Tenor Sax 

Ben Breidenthal- Trumpet/ Guitar  

Wili Flemming- Trombone   

Big thanks to our crew Ryan Borrel- Director of Photography 

Noah Schuler- Camera Operator  

Andrew Ware- Sound Engineer/ Producer 

Zach Benevidez- Host/ Producer 

Kyre Wilcox- Host/ Producer  

Recorded on QSC Touch-Mix 30 Pro https://www.qsc.com/products-solutions/mixers/touchmix-series-compact-digital-mixers/touchmix-30-pro/ 

Drums by Vessel Drum Co. https://vesseldrums.com/ 

Thank you to Prager Brothers Artisan Bread, June Lake Brewing, and Bambucha Kombucha for fueling the team and the band! We really appreciate the support.  

https://www.pragerbrothers.com/ 

https://www.junelakebrewing.com/ 

https://www.bambuchakombucha.com/