BassX is a New Orleans jazz collective led by GRAMMY-nominated sousaphonist Julius McKee. Rooted in the city’s rich jazz tradition, BassX reimagines traditional jazz through a progressive lens—honoring its origins while allowing the music to evolve in real time.

Drawing from a classic New Orleans traditional setup, BassX revisits the early foundations of the music by reintroducing the sousaphone, an instrument that once played a central role in the tradition before the upright bass became standard. This approach reconnects the sound to its historical roots while opening space for new rhythmic, melodic, and textural possibilities.

Rather than reproducing tradition note for note, BassX treats it as a living language. Performances balance structure and spontaneity, emphasizing groove, deep listening, and collective interaction. The result is music that feels familiar yet forward-looking—grounded in history, shaped by the moment, and responsive to the room.

BassX operates as a collective, collaborating with a rotating roster of New Orleans musicians drawn from the city’s deep and diverse jazz community. Lineups vary by project, venue, and context, allowing the music to remain flexible and rooted in collaboration rather than fixed personnel.

BassX performs at clubs, festivals, special events, and educational programs in New Orleans and beyond, carrying the tradition forward while reimagining what traditional jazz can sound like today.

To book BassX or learn more about upcoming performances and projects, visit the contact page and follow along on social media.