Hypnotic Brass Ensemble is a dynamic group made up of eight horn-playing brothers and a drummer who isn’t related by blood. Drawing inspiration from jazz, funk, hip-hop, and global music traditions, the group began their journey performing on street corners and subway platforms in cities like Chicago and New York. As they played, they sold their independently produced CDs, steadily gaining a devoted fan base and growing their international reputation.

The brothers—Gabriel Hubert (trumpet), Tycho Cohran (sousaphone), Amal Hubert (trumpet), Uttama Hubert (euphonium), Saiph Graves (trombone), Jafar Graves (trumpet), Seba Graves (trombone), and Tarik Graves (trumpet)—are among the youngest of 23 siblings fathered by renowned jazz trumpeter and composer Kelan Phil Cohran, a co-founder of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians. Raised together in Chicago, the siblings watched their father lead rehearsals with his group, Circle of Sound, and took part in the Phil Cohran Youth Ensemble before branching out to create music of their own, including rap as members of the group Wolf Pak.