In the heart of New York City’s vibrant music scene, a dynamic force is shaking up traditions and breaking down barriers. Meet an electrifying nine-piece, New Orleans-style brass band on a mission to redefine the landscape for female musicians in the Big Apple.
But before they were playing major gigs like the Met Gala, performing on Good Morning America or releasing” the Brass Queens had to fight their way into existence. According to Ally Chapel (ArtHist’14), one of the founders of the Brass Queens, opportunities for female musicians in New York City circa 2018 were abysmal.
“In the music industry, a lot of success comes down to your connections,” Chapel said. “At the time, the scene was so oversaturated with male musicians and bandleaders that it was hard for us to get enough attention to make those critical connections in the first place.”
Love for the Marching Band
Chapel’s journey from art history major to working full time in music began in Colorado’s foothills. Born and raised in this Rocky Mountain state, CU Boulder was a natural choice. Soon after enrolling, Chapel’s love for music and art found fertile ground when she joined the Golden Buffalo Marching Band. Having done marching band throughout high school, Chapel thought she knew what to expect.
"Where I came from, the marching band wasn’t in the spotlight," Chapel said. "There wasn’t this sacred bond between musicians and the school or the fans [like at CU Boulder]. I remember thinking, “‘This is really special.’”
During her college years, Chapel immersed herself in music as much as possible. Pivotal moments during this time shaped not only her musical aspirations, but also her life decisions for years to come.
After graduation, Chapel crammed all her belongings into two boxes, grabbed her saxophone and headed for the Big Apple, where she jumped into the arts scene. She soon found a day job at a prestigious painting gallery, filling her evenings with jam sessions and impromptu performances with local musicians.
Becoming Brass Queens
Among the female musicians Chapel met during these early days, many became the foundation for Brass Queens, not just as a band, but as a cultural revolution. Most had struggled to find reliable and consistent collaborators among their male cohorts. By 2019, Chapel was done waiting. Joining forces with friend and bandmate Alex Harris, the two musicians formed their own group dedicated to pushing musical boundaries and empowering female musicians.
“Brass Queens formed on March 9, 2019,” Chapel said. “I’ll never forget it because it was the day after International Women’s Day. That felt significant to us.”
Chapel immediately went to work on crafting the brand identity for the band, something she learned a lot about through . She knew the unifying power that two colors could have from her time at CU, so the group adopted black and gold as their official colors — also the colors of the Saints in New Orleans, where their sound originates.
By enforcing a black-and-gold dress code at gigs, Chapel hoped to establish the same sense of pride she felt while performing as a member of the Golden Buffalo Marching Band. That unifying element has become their story, which they celebrated by naming their debut LP “Black & Gold.”
Inspired by the soulful sounds of New Orleans, the Brass Queens’ band consists of one sousaphone, drums (both line and set), two trombones, one alto sax, one tenor sax, three trumpets and a whole lot of passion.
From Gigs to the Met Gala
When Brass Queens first hit the gig circuit, they accepted a variety of opportunities that came their way. Soon, birthday parties, street festivals and busking on the streets of Brooklyn turned into higher-paying gigs at venues across the city. Within the year, the group became a local standout, earning them invitations to play at iconic venues like the Blue Note Jazz Club and exclusive events like the Met Gala. Chapel’s leadership and unwavering commitment to her craft propelled the band forward, earning them a loyal following and critical acclaim.
“We’re experiencing more success now because we’re doing something different. We don’t look or sound like other bands. We’re showing people that you don’t have to fit the mold to be successful at what you love.”
Brass Queens do not take their success for granted. In 2017, several Brass Queens members helped establish , a nonprofit created to help increase access to the transformative power of music for adult musicians. Ally Chapel currently serves as the organization’s president along with two other Brass Queens, who serve on the board.
Looking ahead, Chapel’s impact on the music industry shows no signs of slowing. With collaborations on the horizon, including recording projects at Atlantic Records and touring across the country, the Brass Queens are poised to reach even greater heights.
Her advice to aspiring artists?
“Just start,” she said. “Find your community. Follow what inspires you.”
Photos by BeKa Photography
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