Lucky Chops

The Lucky Chops are a New York-based band, formed in 2006.[1] They started in Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School[1][2][3] and were founded by sousaphone player Raphael Buyo along with trombonist Josh Holcomb and saxophonist/clarinetist Daro Behroozi; at first, they began busking on street corners and in subway stations. During their time at college, they decided to take their band to a professional level.[4]

Lucky Chops
Lucky Chops at ZMF 2017. Band members (left to right) are Joshua Gawel, Raphael Buyo, Charles Sams, Josh Holcomb and Daro Behroozi
Background information
Origin	New York City, New York, U.S.
Instruments	Tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, low brass, drums
Years active	2006–present
Associated acts	Leo Pellegrino • Grace Kelly • Sunny Jain
Website	https://luckychops.com
Members	Daro Behroozi Josh Holcomb Joshua Gawel Reginald Chapman Adrian Condis Patrick Simard

The name "Lucky Chops" was proposed by the band's original trumpet player, Daniel Ratkowski, during a word-association brainstorming session[4] and refers to the fact that all of their instruments (except the drums) are wind.

Their early music was mainly covers and mash-ups of other songs. Their original works are influenced by the vast mix of cultures in NYC and are very personal to the member of the band who wrote the piece in question. This means the band performs a wide variety of musical styles and are not bound by a single genre.[4]

The band had a steady start, playing in the New York Subway for commuters. They gained brief internet fame from a 2016 YouTube video showing their rendition of "Funky Town" and "I Got You (I Feel Good)" featuring Leo P,[1][2][5] which helped to significantly boost their popularity. Now they perform all over the world.[6] Around the time of their internet fame, they released their first album: Lucky Chops NYC.

The band has seen over 50 musicians play with them over the past 14 years including Grace Kelly and Sunny Jain.