GRAMMY-Nominated Sousaphonist Julius McKee Partners with Jupiter Band Instruments
Mt. Juliet, TN, October 16, 2026… Jupiter Band Instruments is proud to announce GRAMMY-nominated sousaphonist, educator, and bandleader Julius McKee as their latest artist ambassador. A prominent figure in the New Orleans music scene, McKee performs on the Jupiter JSP1100 Sousaphone, bringing nearly four decades of experience and a deep connection to the city’s jazz traditions to his work.
A longtime member of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Tremé Brass Band, and Preservation Brass, McKee has helped bring New Orleans music to audiences around the world. His extensive touring career includes performances at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Madison Square Garden, Montreux Jazz Festival, Bonnaroo, and more, along with collaborations with Ray Charles, Norah Jones, Dr. John, Widespread Panic, The Black Crowes, and Gov’t Mule. His recording work with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Tremé Brass Band, and Preservation Brass culminated in a 2026 GRAMMY nomination for the For Fat Man album.
McKee is also the founder of BassX, a sousaphone-led New Orleans jazz collective that reimagines traditional classics through a progressive lens while creating original music. With the sousaphone serving as both the ensemble’s foundation and its driving creative voice, BassX explores new possibilities within the city’s rich musical tradition.
“After nearly four decades of playing the sousaphone, I know how important it is to have an instrument that can keep up with where the music takes you,” says McKee. “With BassX, I’m constantly exploring new ways to bring the sousaphone forward while still maintaining the sound of its New Orleans jazz roots. The JSP1100 is an excellent instrument! Solid brass sound. Just what the Dr. ordered!”
Beyond the stage, McKee is dedicated to preserving and advancing New Orleans jazz through education, mentorship, and innovative performance. Through his work as a performer and educator, he continues to expand the possibilities of the sousaphone while honoring the musical traditions that shaped his career.
To learn more about Julius McKee, please visit: https://portal.jupitermusic.us/julius-mckee.