The Brooks

Gates at 7 PM
Opening Act at 7:30 PM
Performance at 8 PM

Mainstage Act - The Brooks

8-Piece Band – Funk / Soul / R’n’B / Afrobeat

From their early days performing in Montreal’s Dièse Onze to headlining international festivals, The Brooks have earned a reputation as a powerhouse of rhythm and groove. Driven by a love of playing, artistic freedom, and collaborative creativity, The Brooks deliver explosive live shows full of bounce, brass, and soul. Their sound blends funk, soul, R’n’B, Afrobeat, and jazz into a bold, cohesive groove that’s all their own.

At the heart of the group are four core members: bassist and co-founder Alexandre Lapointe, singer and trombonist Alan Prater (who has toured with legends like The Jacksons and Michael Jackson), guitarist and co-founder Philippe Look, and percussionist Philippe Beaudin. For their Hornby performance, they expand to a full 8-piece band with keys and a brass section. Alan Prater regularly appears as a guest with Valaire, who played the Hornby Festival in 2024.

The Brooks have released five studio albums, with their latest, Soon As I Can (2024), pushing their infectious sound to new heights. With a legacy that pays homage to over 50 years of Afro-American music history, The Brooks remain rooted in tradition while constantly evolving their sound. Known for their electric stage presence, they’ve performed everywhere from Montréal to Morocco, including the Nice Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Fest, and Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, where they’ve opened for The Doobie Brothers and Kool & the Gang.

“Best kept secret of Canadian funk.”
— La Presse

Website: https://www.thebrooksmusic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBrooksMTL/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_brooks_music
Video Link: https://vimeo.com/863995867
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebrooksmusic

 

 

OPENING ACT - Iggy Ochieng

Ignatius "Iggy" Ochieng is originally from the far west of Kenya, from a small village on the border of Kenya and Uganda called Buradi. He worked in the fitness industry in Nairobi for nearly two decades before moving to Hornby Island with his wife, Melanda Schmid, whose father lived on the island for the last 40 years of his life. Together with their youngest son, they now reside here full-time, and Iggy is part of the Hornby Denman Healthcare Society team, offering assistance at home to seniors in the community while teaching AfroDance sessions part-time year-round.

For this show opening, Iggy will be teaching the crowd some AfroDance basics, and together we'll put on a whole audience participatory performance that will also get everyone's heart rates up and their ears tuned to great rhythms!