The five band members of
K.O.Brass met in Amsterdam, although Randell Heye (trumpet, flügelhorn and baritone sax), Romain Bly (trumpet, horn, baritone sax, percussion), Robert-Jan Looysen (French horn), Kobi Arditi (trombone, euphonium, keys) and Patrick Votrian (tuba, cimbasso, sousaphone) have their roots in Suriname, France, Israel, the United States, and the Netherlands. Their debut album
Keyo immediately attracted attention and was nominated for an Edison last year. According to the jury, “K.O.Brass renews the New Orleans brass band tradition in a stunning way.” On the album's eleven original compositions, the band pushes back frontiers without losing sight of their brass roots. Live, the group gained experience as the brass section of the Kyteman Orchestra. They have also performed with Wende and Typhoon and played in theaters with Leo Blokhuis and Orkater.