It had been close to 25 years since Dave Grippo, Russell Remington and Carl Gerhard took the stange under their Big Country Horns moniker, but that’s just what happened last week when the trio reunited for a very special James Brown Dance Party late night celebration at the Gramercy Theatre on December 31st (technically January 1st).
The three piece horn section got their fame touring with Phish in 1991, and, though the three horn players have since collaborated with the band and its members in a number of permutations throughout the years, they had yet to perform as the Big Country Horns since those tours. However, the trio came together for a special James Brown Dance Party with James Brown drummer Clyde Stubblefield, as well as Elise Testone, Maurice Brown (Tedeschi Trucks), Adam & Matt Chase (Jazz is Phsh), Morgan Price (Charles Bradley), Matt Harnett (Lauryn Hill) and more.
The reunion was naturally a cause for celebraiton, and what music could be more celebratory than that of James Brown? Trey Anastasio Band trombonist Natalie Cressman joined the group as well, and you can watch them take on the James Brown classic “I Got The Feelin'” below.
Here they are jamming with Jennifer Hartswick on “Camel Walk” too!
It’s awesome to see Phish collaborators, both new and old, coming together for an all-out celebration of live music. For more Phish with horns, enjoy the video below…