Kirk Joseph is an American brass innovator who has fundamentally expanded the sonic possibilities of the sousaphone and tuba in contemporary music. As a founding member of the legendary Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Joseph helped pioneer a boundary-pushing approach to brass instrumentation, blending traditional New Orleans jazz and funk with modern production sensibilities. His deep, resonant low-end work became a signature element of the band's influential sound throughout their decades-long career.
Beyond his work with the Dirty Dozen, Joseph leads Kirk Joseph's Backyard Groove, an ensemble that continues his mission to redefine brass instruments' role in contemporary music. His approach to sousaphone and tuba—treating them as dynamic, melodic voices rather than purely rhythmic foundations—has influenced producers and musicians working across funk, electronic, and experimental music scenes, particularly those drawing from New Orleans' rich musical heritage.
