Arguably the best-known contemporary New Orleans ensemble working in vintage marching band style, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band hashas been delivering its updated take on the sounds of a classic Big Easy street party since the late '70s. Formed as the house band for the Dirty Dozen Social and Pleasure Club, the group began showcasing a traditional Crescent City brass band at a time when the venerable style was close to disappearing.

Over 30 years later, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band is a world famous music machine, whose name is synonymous with genre-bending romps and high-octane performances. They have revitalized the brass band in New Orleans and around the world, progressing from local parties, clubs, baseball games and festivals in their early years to touring nearly constantly in the U.S. and in over 30 other countries on five continents. In addition to producing ten studio of their funky gumbo, the Dirty Dozen have been featured guests on albums by artists including David Bowie, Elvis Costello, Dr. John and the Black Crowes. The city of New Orleans even has an official Dirty Dozen Brass Band Day.

The group returns to visit their loyal contingent of Bay Area fans with a run of four shows around the region. For the two concerts at the Independent in San Francisco this weekend, they share the bill with powerful global groove instrumental outfit Toubab Krewe (Friday night) and experimental SF jazz-funk trio the Broun Fellinis (Saturday).

Dirty Dozen Brass Band

Thursday, Feb. 14, 8 p.m. $17-$20
Moe's Alley

Friday-Saturday, Feb. 15-16, 8:30 p.m. $20-$22
The Independent

Sunday, Feb. 17, 8 p.m. $30
Hopmonk Tavern Sebastopol