was featured on Down in New Orleans, the 2008 album by the Blind Boys of Alabama. They released their second studio album, The Life and Times of the Hot 8 Brass Band in November 2012. May 2013 saw the release of "Tombstone," the sister album to "The Life and Times ...," a recording mostly dedicated to former band members, living and dead. Deaths of group members The band has also been mentioned in the U.S. media because three of its members, all of whom were between the ages of 17 and 25, have died over the years due to handgun violence. In 1996, 17-year-old trumpet player Jacob Johnson was found shot execution-style in his home. In 2004, trombone player Joseph "Shotgun Joe" Williams was shot dead by police in controversial circumstances. According to a local news source: According to New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) accounts, officers were stopping 22-year-old trombonist Joe Williams for driving an allegedly stolen vehicle when Williams slammed the white Ford F-150 into reverse, accelerating into an NOPD squad car and officer. His actions, says Deputy Superintendent Marlin Defillo, caused officers to fear for their lives and thus open fire, killing Williams. The same source reported that several eyewitnesses say that police shot Williams while he was unarmed and his hands were in the air. In 2006, drummer Dinerral "Dick" Shavers was shot and killed while driving with his family. According to The Times-Picayune: Dinerral Shavers, 25, died from a gunshot to the back of his head at about 5:30 p.m. while behind the wheel of his black Chevrolet Malibu in the 2200 block of Dumaine Street… His family was not injured… Although critically wounded, Shavers continued driving four blocks up Dumaine before stopping. By 6 p.m., Shavers lay motionless on his back in the middle of the street just outside the open driver's side door… Shavers was taken to a hospital, but died within an hour. Police said the bullet was intended for Shavers's fifteen-year-old stepson. The Hot 8 Brass Band played at Shavers' funeral. Bennie Pete died in September 2021 from complications from sarcoidosis and COVID-19. References Bibliography External links Hot 8 official site Hot 8 Documentary Musical groups established in 1995 Jazz musicians from New Orleans American jazz ensembles from New Orleans Brass bands from New Orleans 1995 establishments in Louisiana Tru Thoughts artists