by Ron WynnAfter The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, the Rebirth Brass Band is perhaps the best contemporary New Orleans ensemble working in vintage marching band style. The group formed in the early 80s while they were still in school. In the latter half of the decade, the band gained of the critics and the public alike. Since the late 80s, The Rebirth Brass Band has cut albums for Rounder and Arhoolie, utilizing multiple trombone/trumpet/tuba instrumentation. They also play booming uptempo tunes, spirituals, rags, marching numbers, and originals, doing them all with a traditional feel and contemporary sensibility. Founding member and co-leader Kermit Ruffins left for a solo career in 1994.