Community Spotlight: Original Pinettes Brass Band

Spotlight by Camille Barnett

Founded in 1991 at St Mary’s Academy in New Orleans East, the Pinettes are the world’s first and only all-female brass band. Christie Jourdain, originally a snare drum alternate when the band was founded and now the lead band member, explains that the school’s band director at the time pulled together about 16 girls, many from the marching band, to form the Pinettes. 

Throughout the years, many continued to gather for gigs, but Jourdain explained that once Katrina hit and everyone was displaced, they decided to seek other members to continue the legacy. Now, the band is composed of 7 women ranging from their mid-20s to 40s that are alumni from schools all over the city: Eleanor McMain Secondary School, McDonogh 35, Warren Easton, and Xavier University Preparatory School, a mix of backgrounds that Jourdain says adds to the band’s unique sound and flavor. 

“Every now and then I may hold an audition, but it’s just something about the chemistry that I have with the ladies in the band right now. I always say we’re not blood related, we’re love related.” 

Spending so much time around each other at gigs and practices as well as at gatherings and group vacations outside of the music, she says that they know each other better than some of their own family members. In fact, Jourdain attributes the band’s success to the chemistry that they have. As a highly improvisational band, she says really knowing each other is vital.

She further explains that even if one puts some of the world’s most talented musicians on a stage together, a band is nothing without on-stage chemistry. That authentic, genuine chemistry and mutual respect for each other and the band is built off-stage and over time. 

“We fuss and we fight, but we still come back and are still okay with playing with each other because nobody is bigger than the band. There are no divas here.” 

Despite having no diva members, being all-female  in a male-dominated industry, Jourdain says the road has been a long one in gaining respect as a brass band and proving their worth. She can recall being one of the only bands playing on Frenchman street after Hurricane Katrina when lights were barely on and playing at low-paying gigs with no audiences just to get their name out. 

“At first, we were cute.”

Then, they finally began to gain more respect when crowned the winners of the 2013 Red Bull "Street Kings" brass band blowout competition; they beat three male brass bands, causing the title name to change to Red Bull "Street Queens!"

Since, they’ve performed on a plethora of stages, such as at the Jazz & Heritage Festival, Satchmo Summer Fest, Essence Music Festival, French Quarter Festival, and have traveled overseas to perform in Turkey and Switzerland.

In addition to the Pinettes being a music group, a family, professionals with occupations outside of the band, wives, and mothers, they also prioritize dedicating time to give back to the New Orleans community.

Jourdain said that activity within the community first started with monthly bag lunches for the homeless and continued in other providing ways such as serving soup in cold weather and a Fourth of July barbecue in anticipation of those under the bridge being forced for summer’s annual Essence Festival.

Recently, they have been working to get votes out for the 2020 election. The band hosted a free show where attendees could register to vote and leave donations for Lake Charles victims of Hurricane Laura, and have been orchestrating voter rides to get older community members to the polls.

In addition to serving the community, Jourdain says that similar to many musicians, they have been using down time brought on by COVID-19 to focus on creating music. She also looks forward to writing a book to tell the band’s story.

“I want people to know that this is work. We love what we do, but it’s work. It’s nothing easy here.”

Look forward to catching the Pinettes playing on a stage or street near you! For more photos, videos, or booking information, visit www.originalpinettes.com. Keep scrolling to see the Voter Ride initiative in action!