Any band that can make a Justin Bieber song cool, is a-ok.
Toronto’s Heavyweight’s Brass Band played to a surprisingly strong Wednesday night crowd who were digging their special blend of pop hits and crazy jazz music at the Slice, June 27.
That crew could sure blow crazy ear piercing high notes, intricate jazzy melodies and they completely dismantled a variety of pop hits including War’s ” Why Can’t We Be Friends,” and Justin Bieber’s “Baby,” which they completely tore apart and made bigger, better and completely their own, taking turns playing the vocal melody on trumpet and saxophone, then all of them embarking on their own solos, then back to the melody.
They interspersed impressive originals in between their quirky covers, then ended their first set by deconstructing Michael Jackson’s “Beat It,” in the same way at they redid “Baby,” by playing the vocal melodies on trumpet, trombone and saxophone. Rob Teehan’s sousaphon handled the familiar bass line of the song as well as all the lower registers of the night.
Everybody got to solo throughout the show in a pleasant cacophony of brass. Those five fellows sure could make a big, beautiful brassy racket.
Tall, thin trombonist and frontman Chris Butcher introduced the originals according to who wrote them, then stepped back as trumpeter Jon Challoner, saxophonist Paul Metcalfe stepped forward for their solos. Challoner would step back and bang on a set of bongos set next to the drum kit.
Even drummer Lowell Whitty got to show his prowess on the sticks and tubs, while Rob Teehan, dwarfed by his microphoned sousaphone held down the bass end of the show and even got to solo on his own as well as belting out vocals on a couple of brassy, New Orleans blues - jazz numbers.