This party will be hot as burning pitch!
A 10-piece band that plays hip-hop songs with brass instruments will celebrate five years of musical collaboration with an exuberant, vodka-fueled party at the Industry City Distillery in Sunset Park on Dec. 12. The event, which will feature rappers, brass bands, visual artists, and specialty drinks, will set the bar for good times, says the manager of the PitchBlak Brass Band.
“The anniversary party is going to be one of the coolest things we’ve done all year,” said Chanell Crichlow, who also plays the tuba. “It’s just going be a really beautiful night with really good vibes. That’s the whole point, is to set up a good vibe for everyone to just hang out and chill and celebrate with us.”
The 10 members of PitchBlak met at the Manhattan School of Music, and played their first gig five years ago, at an Irish bar in Manhattan that was invaded by SantaCon. The Saturday night party is a celebration of all the group has accomplished since then, including playing the 2015 Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival, and its upcoming residency at Greenpoint’s Manhattan Inn.
“We’re celebrating all the gaps, all the hardships, all the fun times, everything in between,” said Chrichlow. “It’s going to be a thank you to all of our fans. We’re not making money off of this show, we’re putting all of our stuff into it. All of our friends and family and fans — it’s a holiday gift to them.”
In addition to PitchBlak, the anniversary party will feature performances from DJ Batty Jack, Flatbush rapper Latasha Alcindor, instrumentalist Ebone Trombone, and Balkan music group Raya Brass Band, along with visuals from Christian Hanon, food vendors, specialty vodka drinks made by the distillery, and a photo booth. Visitors who donate to a toy drive for children will get raffle tickets and discounted prices on food.
The combination of different genres and artists matches the group’s blend of hip-hop, jazz, and pop music. The party also reflects the current state of hip-hop, said Crichlow, and should appeal to anyone who interested in what is happening now.
“I just think if people really want to come to a hip-hop party — different, of this century, new s—, they should come check it out,” she said. “Our party’s going to represent musicians and artists and hip-hop artists all coming together to make something beautiful and creative and just going with it.”
PitchBlak at Industry City Distillery [33 35th St., Sixth Floor, between Second and Third avenues in Sunset Park, (718) 305–6951, www.pitch
