The Hoppin’ John’s Orchestra
Chris’s Jazz Cafe
Center City
March 4, 2025
When band leader Michael Hood started The Hoppin’ John’s Orchestra in 1996, he knew he wanted not only a New Orleans-inspired brass band, but one that also wrote their own music in the vein of that classic brassy, big Nola sound while adding a modern twist. They were called “The Black Eyed Peas Brass Band” before renaming themselves after the classic Southern rice and black-eyed pea dish.
Twenty-nine years years later, four of the band’s original musicians are still rocking together on stage alongside the six other musicians who fill out the 10-piece band. They play at least half their own originals alongside the classics. This marked the 20th year the brass band has played the Mardi Gras Carnival show at Chris’ Jazz Cafe in Center City.
To kick off the night’s festivities, as tradition dictates, the band exited through the back of Philadelphia’s longest, continuously operating jazz club, leading a mini-parade around the block, down a stretch of Broad Street passing by unsuspecting Philadelphians enjoying the pleasant March night with bright, loud music and joy.
They proceeded around to the front of the club, having gathered a crowd of passersby and jazz club attendees for a final outside jam before heading inside to the stage.
Back inside, the night was just getting started for the rest of the packed house of jazz enthusiasts sitting down with various classic New Orleans cuisine and drinks.
Oscillating between new songs and old, songs with vocals, and numbers that sang through the horn instruments, the band transported everyone to the French Quarter. Thankfully to a French Quarter without the too packed crowds or beer being spilled on you, just one with pleasant, full-bodied brass music and comfortable chairs.
The band lineup: Matt Cappy, trumpet; Tony Gairo, saxophones & clarinet; Randy Kapralick, trombone; Lou Fuiano, saxophones; Brian Cox, sousaphone; Alex Ayala, piano & keys; Frank Velardo; Michael Hood, bass band leader; Glenn Cowen, drums; Chelsea Stanell, voice.
Same time each year: Video from the 2022 edition
