The name “Brass Queens” represents a female brass band with attitude. The Brooklyn-based group debuted in March of 2019, chipping out a reputation in a generally male-dominated landscape, one pop-up performance at a time. Now, the band is touring nationwide, including a stop at Silver Moon Brewing in Bend on Oct. 19.
“A lot of us met through bands and the emerging brass band scene in Brooklyn. We were playing in the same groups and going to the same shows and came to realize that most of these bands were dominated by men, so we decided to form our own all-female group,” says Alex Harris, one of the band’s co-founders.
Brass Queens has a goal to play for as many audiences as possible to increase the visibility of female musicians in brass bands. The group is made up of Harris on the trumpet, Ally Chapel on alto sax, Stephanie King on trumpet, Minerva Johnson on trumpet and aux percussion, Jenna Murdoch on tenor sax, Stephanie Young on trombone, Nora Nalepka on sousaphone, Ashley Baier on drums and Caitlin Crawley, percussion. Their sound is inspired by the New Orleans jazz tradition with influences from mambo, film scores, pop and classic rock.
“Brass Queens means so much to us as a project that we are never not thinking about how we can take ourselves to the next level,” Harris told the Source. “We’re always trying new things, whether it’s experimenting with a new song or trying to find new audiences to share our music with. We hit the ground running from day one and have never lost that momentum.”
The group started small, playing for birthdays and weddings in Brooklyn, to build a reputation.
“Then we started booking shows at venues all around New York and at one of those shows we got scouted by an artist management company. Now we have a booking agent that helps us break into new markets all around the country,” Harris explains. Last year Brass Queens put out its first album of original songs called “Hot Tub Sessions Vol. I.” The songs were inspired by th band’s experiences touring together. Harris says most of the tunes are filled with joy and excitement, while others are reflective and express challenges they’ve faced as a band. The group is already working on its next album, which it hopes to release next year.
This is how Harris describes her bandmates: “Stephanie Young: aggressive, passionate, adaptable. Ally Chapel: spirited, nimble, slinky. Jenna Murdoch: singing through reeds. Stephanie King: loud, proud, rowdy. Alex Harris: engaged, clean, joyful. Minerva Johnson: honest, playful, lyrical. Heather Ewer: playful, bass-ful, danceable. Ashley Baier: dynamic, pocket, responsive.”
Harris says she was attracted to brass because a horn allows for so much freedom of expression. ”There’s nothing more exciting in a song than when the horns come in!”
The stop in Bend will be the first time Brass Queens has played in the Pacific Northwest. Harris says the audience should expect a lot of sass and energy. “We like to say that we bring the Big Easy to the Big Apple and the result is a nonstop party!”
Their goal is to tour internationally. Harris says, “And as ever, we want to increase the visibility of women in music. Women are still underrepresented and underestimated in this industry, and we’re seeking to change that.” Her advice to young female musicians starting out is to keep playing, despite any challenges. “Always remember that there is a place for you in music,” she says.
Brass Queens
Sun, Oct. 19, 7pm
Silver Moon Brewing
24 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend
silvermoonbrewing.com/events
$15
This article appears in the Source October 9, 2025.
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