During a period when most New Orleans brass bands have followed the lead of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and emphasize r&b and funk, the Storyville Stompers Brass Band is one of the leaders of the traditional groups. They have been together for 44 years and have performed more than 6,000 times and counting. While they have not recorded that often, Count Your Blessings is only the third CD listed on their website, the Storyville Stompers remains a popular and busy band today.
The focus during the eight numbers on Count Your Blessings is on religious songs that can easily be transformed into New Orleans jazz including such standards as “Old Time Religion,” “Just A Closer Walk With Thee,” “Old Rugged Cross,” and the lesser-known “Savior, Lead Me Lest I Stray.” For this set, the Storyville Stompers Brass Band consists of co-leaders Woody Penouilh (sousaphone) and trombonist Craig Klein, trumpeters Will Smith (who contributes some joyful vocals) and Doyle Cooper, trombonist Gerry Dallman, tenor-saxophonist Steve Burke, clarinetist Bruce Brackman, Jeffrey Hills Sr. on sousaphone, bass drummer Cayetano Hingle, and either Kerry Brown or Shawn King on snare drum. Topsy Chapman’s two daughters Yolanda Robinson and Kiki Chapman have guest vocals on two numbers.
Most unusual for a brass band is that organist Rickie Monie is on six songs. But while marching band organists are
