Original the Excelsior Brass Band performed from June 1879 until 1932, was based across the Mississippi in Algiers. In 1879 the Bell - Decker Brass Band from Sylvester Decker was renamed in Excelsior. Sometimes the band was mentioned as Excelsior Cornet Band.

From this musicians it's known that they played in the Brass Band:

1879, July 3:
An excursion, by steamboat to Baton Rouge, took place with the Excelsior Brass Band. This was the first time the bound was named Excelsior. Before it was the Decker band under the leadership of Sylvester Decker.

1880, February:
On February 14 the Louisianian (a newspaper of New Orleans) wrote about the ball given on Mardi Gras by the Excelsior Brass Band. The success attending the effort of the men to format a Benevolent Association to be known as the Musicians Benevolent Society.

1881, February:
The Louisianian wrote that the Young and True Friends assembled at Wesleyan Hall, on Liberty Street, where a procession was formed, preceded by the Excelsior Cornet Band (as they called it) under the leadership of Professor S.S. Dexter. (The name was spelled wrong)
They marched to number 124 Franklin Street, where Miss Filamin Delpit, a comely young Creole lady, presented on behalf of the Ladies True Friends Circle, a very pretty silk banner.

1881, April:
The Louisianian mentioned the Excelsior as one of the bands booked to appear at The Annual Odd Fellow's Day celebrations.

1881, May 10:
The Louisianian (a weekly newspaper) described plans for the 1881 Odd Fellows Parade and talked about the Excelsior Brass Band, being one of the city's "two champion brass bands". The other brass band was the Pickwick. 2 / 4,p167/5,p16
The Louisianian wrote on July 9, the band was under the leadership of Mr. Sylvester Decker and wore their new and beautiful uniforms

1881, July 4:
Excelsior appeared at the Fireman's Day Parade.

1881, August 15:
The New Orleans Picayune wrote about the Excelsior, playing at a picnic and parade organized by the Pickwick Base Ball Club.

1882, June 26:
The band played at a grand pyrotechnical exhibition and soiree dansante by the St. Joseph Young Men's Benevolent Association at the Delachaise Park.

1885, February 22:
The Daily Picayune announced that the Excelsior Cornet Band played at the reception for the Department of Colored Exhibits (of the New Orleans Cotton States Exposition).

1885, February 24:
They played the formal opening of the Colored People's Exhibit according to a publication in the Picayune.1,p9

1887:
The Weekly Pelican like the Louisianian wrote that the Excelsior will leave the city for six month. The Pelican wrote on April 30 this will take place with new uniforms. The band would visit Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Boston and other cities.

The social column of the Pelican monitored the activities of the band, but never mentioned anything about the tour. Probably the tour did not take place.

1889, October:
The Weekly Pelican reported that Theogene V. Baquet (Eb cl) had the leadership of the Excelsior, that played at a bal given by the Ladies Vidalia Benevolent Association.

1890, August 31:
The band played at Loeper's Park a grand festival and picnic given by the co-operators Companions Debating Social Circle.

1929: ?
According to Wilbert Tillman the Excelsior Brass band played the funeral of trombone and baritone horn player Gus Metcalf.
Alvin Alcorn remembered the following musicians playing at this funeral, which possibly was his first gig with the Excelsior:
Peter Bocage (tp and leader), Manuel Perez (tp), Alvin Alcorn (tp, replaced George McCullum Jr who was unable to take time off from his day job), Buddy Johnson (trb), Harrison Barnes (trb), Vic Gaspard (bar horn), Joe Payan (alto horn), Hanry Bocage (tuba), Henry Martin (bass drum)

1932:
Joe Payan's died and the band collapsed.

Young Excelsior Brass Band:

Original band performed from late 1950s/early 1960s until ?.

1964:
Henry "Sleepy" Robertson (tp), Leon Vajean (tb), Carroll Blunt (sous), Louis Keppard (tp), John Wimberly (tp), "Buster" Moore (tb), Leroy Robinet (ts) (see Leroy's Special)

1983, October 2: Record date in Jacksonville, Florida
Teddy Riley (tp), James May (tp), Gregory Stafford (tp), Fred Lonzo (tb), Clement Tervalon (tb), Michael White (cl), Oscar Rouzan (as), David Grillier (ts), Walter Payton jr (bshorn), Freddie Kohlman (bsdm), Calvin Spears (sndm), Stanley Stephens (sndm).

CD's of this brassband: Brassband history on CD

Sources books:
2 Fallen Heroes by Richard H. Knowles
4 New Orleans Jazz: a revised history by R. Collins
5 In search of Buddy Bolden by Donald Marquis
6 Bunk Johnson his life & times by Christopher Hillman
8 Louis Armstrong's New Orleans by Thomas Brothers
16 New Orleans Jazz, family album by Al Rose and Edmond Souchon

Sources (internet):
i1 http://www.angelfire.com/music2/thecornetcompendium/lesser-known_cornet_soloists_2.html Richard I Schwartz
i2 http://www.nps.gov/jazz/Jazz%20History_early_leaders.htm or look here

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