The Big Bad Brass Band

The Big Bad Brass Band is your source for fun music, fun parties, and fun memories! Every 4B event is jam-packed with the raw, unadulterated spirit of Bourbon Street, and each performance is guaranteed to have your audience up and dancing along to the rhythms and sounds of New Orleans. We are perfect for any situation that needs a spectacle, and our unique "Band In A Box" setup means we can perform any place, any time, with anyone. Due to the acoustic nature of the ensemble we can perform amplified or completely acoustically, and our instrumentation allows us to be completely mobile while playing, perfect for parades or large event spaces.

A central focus of New Orleans and brass band as a whole is community, and the group has made it our mission to foster that mentality in everything we do. Our repertoire is designed to break social, political, religious, or ideological divides and unite people in the common love of music. Our music is profanity-free, making us an excellent choice for audiences of all ages. Do you or your guests play any musical instruments? Feel free to come and join us while we play! Our music has been specially designed to be easily accessible for every instrument at every skill level. Ever wanted to solo like a true jazz musician? We've got you covered on that front, too; our skilled staff of musicians can have you playing like a pro in 10 minutes time.

The Big Bad Brass Band provides unique experiences, one of which is our ever-expanding Neighborhood Bar Crawl series. We offer custom-tailored bar crawl packages for many of San Diego's neighborhoods ranging from 2-3 hours, with features like food trucks and discounts at participating bars. These packages are perfect for events with large guest lists, like bachelor/bachelorette parties, birthday parties, and community events. Just don't be surprised if you make a few new friends; wherever the Big Bad goes, the crowds tend to follow!

Our group is made up of either former or current Active Duty Navy and Marine Corps bandsmen, and we pride ourselves on bringing the same level of zeal and professionalism that we brought to our service of our country to your event. We firmly believe that the last thing you should have to worry about on the day of your event is the music, and when booking with the Big Bad Brass Band you can be sure that the band will show up on time, in the right uniform, with our music squared away, every time.

In 2026, the Big Bad Brass Band became a proud member of the ALXC Entertainment Group, a private entertainment company with the mission of providing bespoke musical events for private and corporate clients. At the Group, we strongly believe that every one of our clients is unique, and unique people deserve unique music. We are your one-stop-shop for all the music you wouldn't know where else to go for, and our offerings range from New Orleans brass bands like the Big Bad Brass Band, to woodwind quintets, big bands, and string orchestras. Learn more at (link hidden).

The Big Bad Brass Band is San Diego's very own taste of New Orleans! Whether it's Mardi Gras or just a good ole' fashioned crawfish boil, the Big Bad Brass Band is your source for good music and good times. Equally at home on a concert stage or a street corner, the Big Bad Brass Band can be your personal marching band for parties, weddings, funerals/celebrations of life, parades, bar crawls, and everything in between! Come see how the Big Bad Brass is bringing the French Quarter to the Gaslamp Quarter!

Initially formed as a more traditional off-shoot of 524 Brass, the Big Bad Brass Band has since gone on to develop its own unique identity, as well as its own distinctive following. With a musical style based in the deep-seated traditions of New Orleans, the Big Bad Brass' mission is to provide fun, energetic music on the go. Our services truly run the gamut, and their is no request too outlandish; from more common engagements like boisterous Mardi Gras parties and somber funeral services, all the way to wild birthday bar crawls (with routes painstakingly designed by members of the community and special drink discounts galore) and even parading a newly-married bride and groom down the aisle, the Big Bad Brass Band makes it our goal to give you and your guests a celebration that you will never forget.

Alongside our work with private clients, we have an extensive and proven track record with corporate clientele that has earned us a reputation of professionalism and excellence. Alongside our various municipal contracts throughout Southern California, we have worked hand-in-hand with organizations like Balboa Park Forever and the San Diego International Airport, as well as industry-leading corporations like Delta Airlines and Informa Biotech. We use our 100+ year combined entertaining experience to provide every one of our clients with the absolute gold standard of customer service and musical exceptionalism.

The Big Bad Brass Band is a flexible, adaptable ensemble capable of supporting most kinds of events. The group is capable of performing both amplified and acoustically, and our in-house sound support and power supply allow us to mic up anywhere to perform for audiences of over 250 people. We are a completely mobile ensemble, capable of performing while stationary or on the move. Our band is modular, and can be scaled up or down to best suit your needs, even capable of splitting the band to perform two places at once! Please take a look at our packages below to see what configuration would work best for you.

OPTION A (3-PIECE)
This option is our smallest available offering, and is the perfect small-scale, budget-friendly offering for clients concerned about noise or space. This iteration consists of Tuba, Marching Snare Drum, and Saxophone. Pricing for this option begins at $600.

OPTION B (4-PIECE)
This option is our next smallest offering, and is still a fantastic fit for all situations where Option A could be employed. This configuration consists of Tuba, Marching Snare Drum, Saxophone and Trombone. Pricing for this option begins at $800.

OPTION C (5-PIECE)
This option is where our ensemble begins to become a real New Orleans Brass Band. It still has a small footprint, but it provides a bit more sound and flavor than our smaller offerings. It consists of Tuba, Marching Snare Drum, Saxophone, Trombone, and Trumpet. Pricing for this option begins at $1,000.

OPTION D (6-PIECE)
This option is our second-largest size, and is a bit more of a "main attraction" in its volume, size, and presentation. This configuration includes Tuba, Marching Snare Drum, Marching Bass Drum, Saxophone, Trombone, and Trumpet. Pricing for this option begins at $1,200.

OPTION E (8-PIECE)
Our largest, and final, option is the true New Orleans experience! This option can perform all of our New Orleans and Traditional repertoire, as well as contemporary pop songs and custom arrangements. This configuration includes Tuba, Marching Snare Drum, Marching Bass Drum, Saxophone, Two Trombones, and Two Trumpets. Pricing for this option begins at $1,600.