Memorial Day weekend brings with it the coronation of summer as well as a time to commemorate the country’s men and women who have served in its military. This Memorial Day weekend (May 24-27), the Marine Crops Band New Orleans will host concerts on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday to ring in the holiday. Founded in 1978, the MCBNO might be overlooked as a cornerstone of the city’s music scene, perhaps, because in years past its area of operation spanned the entire United States. However, due to fiscal constraints, the band’s service is now restricted to a 100 mile radius from its home base. But, as Staff Sergeant, Enlisted Conductor and drummer Josh Campbell explains in this week’s episode of OffBeat’s Look-Ka Py Py Podcast, the band has long since prided itself on its ability to bring the sounds of New Orleans around the country and sees its current status as an opportunity to get more involved in the local scene and play in various clubs around town as well as larger, public performance spaces.

Though commonly associated with its concert and ceremonial bands, the MCBNO’s ensembles also include a jazz combo, a brass band and a brass quintet. Friday (May 24), its brass quintet will play Veterans Memorial Plaza at 9:30 a.m., and its brass band will play the French Market at 3:00 p.m. Its concert band will perform at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday (May 25) at the World War II Museum and on Sunday (May 26) at 6:00 p.m. at St. Louis Cathedral. On Monday (May 27), its brass band will deliver a special Memorial Day program at 10:00 a.m. at the World War II Museum. To find out more about the Marine Crops Band New Orleans and to hear more about its upcoming plans as well as to get to know Sgt. Campbell, tune in below.

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