Lucky Chops

Last updated
Lucky Chops
Lucky Chops (ZMF 2017) jm40231.jpg
Performing at Zelt-Musik-Festival 2017. L-R: Gawel, Buyo, Sams, Josh Holcomb, Behroozi.
Background information
Origin New York City, New York, U.S.
Years active2006–present
Members
  • Josh Holcomb
  • Daro Behroozi
  • Joshua Gawel
  • Nora Nalepka
  • Ben Holcomb
  • Rogerst Charles
Website luckychops.com

Lucky Chops is a band from New York City, which formed in 2006 and has performed professionally since 2014. They achieved prominence through performances on the New York City Subway which were filmed and shared on the internet.

Contents

History

The band was founded in 2006 at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School [1] [2] [3] by sousaphone player Raphael Buyo along with trombonist Josh Holcomb and saxophonist and clarinetist Daro Behroozi. The band was originally formed for a parade of Filipino culture that Buyo wanted to participate in; after that they began busking on street corners and in subway stations. During their time at college, they decided to take their band to a professional level. [4]

The name "Lucky Chops" was proposed by the band's original trumpet player, Daniel Rutkowski, during a word-association brainstorming session [4] and refers to the fact that all of the players' primary instruments (except the drums) are wind instruments.

Their early music was mainly covers and mash-ups of other songs. Their original works are influenced by the vast mix of cultures in NYC. The band performs a wide variety of musical styles and is not bound by a single genre. [4]

The band began by playing in the New York Subway for commuters. They gained brief internet fame from a 2016 YouTube video showing their rendition of "Funky Town" and "I Got You (I Feel Good)" featuring Leo Pellegrino, [1] [2] [5] which helped to significantly boost their popularity. Around this time, they released their first album, Lucky Chops NYC.

The band has seen over 50 musicians play with them over the past 14 years, including Grace Kelly and Sunny Jain. They are also the live house band of the MTV show Girl Code Live .

Discography

Discography of Lucky Chops [2] [6]
TitleYearType
Lucky Chops NYC2015Album
2016 World Tour2016EP
Walter2017EP
Virtue and Vice Sessions, Vol. 12018EP
Lucky Chops2019Album
Virtue and Vice Sessions, Vol. 22020Album
20142020Album
Live in L.A.2021Album
New Day2022Album
Virtue & Vice Sessions, Vol. 3 (Live)2024Album
Mr. Charles2024Single

Members

Dates cover period of professional performance from 2014 onwards

Lucky Chops
Current Members of Lucky Chops
NameInstrumentAdditionalDate
Joshua GawelTrumpetFlugelhorn, Piano, Vocals2014-present
Josh HolcombTromboneBaritone horn, Piano, Percussion, Vocals2014-present
Rogerst CharlesAlto saxophone2022-present
Daro BehrooziBaritone saxophoneTenor saxophone, Clarinet, Bass clarinet, Contrabass clarinet, Alto saxophone, Flute, Vocals2014-present
Nora NalepkaSousaphonePercussion, Vocals2021-present
Ben HolcombDrum kitPercussion, Vocals2021-present
Former Members of Lucky Chops
NameInstrumentDate
Raphael BuyoSousaphone2014-2018
Leo Pellegrino Baritone saxophone2014-2017
Jesse ChevanDrum kit2014-2015
Kevin CongletonDrum kit2015-2016
Charles SamsDrum kit2016-2018
Adrian CondisBaritone saxophone2019-2023
Reginald ChapmanContrabass bugle2019-2020
Patrick SimardDrum kit2019-2021
Touring/Alternate Members of Lucky Chops
NameInstrument(s)Date
Timaine BryaneSousaphone2014-2015
Harry PhilipsSousaphone2018-2019
Matt OlssonDrum kit2018
Eric TrudellBaritone saxophone, Tenor saxophone2018-2019
Attis CloptonDrum kit2018-2019
Corey WilcoxSousaphone2019; 2020-2021
Rogerst CharlesAlto saxophone2022-2023

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Collar, Matt. "Lucky Chops". All Music.
  2. 1 2 3 "Lucky Chops Set To Release Self-Titled Studio Album". Broadway World. 10 Sep 2019.
  3. "Trans Musicales de Rennes 2018". France TV. 3 Dec 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 Leah (1 Nov 2019). "An Interview with NYC's Premier Brass Funk Band LUCKY CHOPS!". All Access Music. Archived from the original on 2 November 2019.
  5. Boilen, Bob (16 Mar 2016). "All Songs Considered". npr.
  6. Romero, Rebeca (27 Feb 2017). "El fenómeno viral de Lucky Chops aterriza en Madrid". Teinteresa.