The HUGS (HotUniversalGrooveSquad)
Original Brass Band
Here’s something new on the brass scene!
Somewhere between Punk-Land and NOLA… A lineup of six wild, trashy musicians—simple and effective.
Solos galore with as much spit as drumstick shavings, a camouflaged trumpeter, a groovy sax from Marseille with the indispensable tuba player from Mont-de-Marsan, and a drum section split between Toulouse and Pineuilh—from the young to the not-so-young—all led by the enemy of your enemy on the trombone!

The HUGS (formerly UniversalGrooveSquad (UGS)) was formed in late 2022 in the southwestern region; and after two years of performing (around 30 shows throughout France and winning the Best Musicians award at the 2024 Haizetara competition in Spain)—which helped cement the band’s unity and solidify their set of original compositions—their first album, “42,” is finally seeing the light of day (set for release in late 2024, with a release party in 2025).
These musicians were brought together by Nicolas Benedetti, the project’s initiator and composer; fellow travelers met during tours and musical encounters.

The Groov’ Squad:
BnV (Nicolas Benedetti) – Trombone
ZarC (César Boishus) – Tenor Sax
DimS (Dimitri Suso) – Trumpet
DamS (Damien Bachère) – Sousaphone
NicoCab (Nicolas Cabello Aguilar) – Snare Drum
NumA (Manuel Lagorce) – Kick Drum