Dallas Brass (USA)

Since its founding in 1983 by Michael Levine, the Dallas Brass has become one of America’s foremost musical ensembles. The group has established a unique blend of traditional brass instruments with a full complement of drums and percussion, which creates a performing entity of extraordinary range and musical challenges. The Dallas Brass repertoire includes classical masterpieces, Dixieland, swing, Broadway, Hollywood and patriotic music.According to Mr. Levine, "a Dallas Brass concert is intended for the entire family. Our ideal audience has a range in ages from 5 to 95. Our goal is to entertain and enrich by playing great music, while showing our audience how much we enjoy what we do."
In addition to their solo engagements, the Dallas Brass appears with symphony orchestras nationwide. Symphonic credits include the Cincinnati Pops conducted by Erich Kunzel, New York Pops conducted by Skitch Henderson, and the Philly Pops conducted by Peter Nero. The Dallas Brass has performed at Carnegie Hall, the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and has toured overseas to Europe and the Far East. They have shared the stage with the late Bob Hope, have performed for Presidents Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush, have appeared on the CBS “Early Show,” and their music has been used numerous times on the television show, “The Young & The Restless.”

Symphony Pops: A Tribute to Irving Berlin

Puttin' On the Ritz, Blue Skies, Easter Parade and God Bless America are just a few of over 1500 songs written by Irving Berlin - helping lift spirits through two World Wars and the Great Depression. A Tribute to Irving Berlin, including sixteen of Berlin's most well-known songs, creates a dynamic entertaining salute to the genius of this great American songwriter

Listen HERE to the audio.

Clocks

Roger Wood makes spectacular assemblage-sculpture clocks out of junk. Some of the creations are built from dented brass horns and they
are lovely.
The source of his inspiration lies in the hundreds of curiously labelled drawers and boxes brimming with artifacts of all description that line the shelves of his Toronto studio. Wood orchestrates an arrangement from his myriad of treasures until the precise moment that it feels right. Then he quickly glues them all down so they can’t escape.
Link

Australian Army Band Melbourne

It is better to make music than to fight is the slogan of the Brass Quintet of the Australian Army Band Melbourne, a talented five piece ensemble. The line-up of two trumpets, french horn, trombone and tuba displays the versatility of brass instruments which have been prominent since the establishment of military bands. The vast repertoire of the Brass Quintet includes arrangements of early Renaissance, Classical and operatic music along with 20th Century compositions by Malcolm Arnold and Andre Previn. The instrumentation also allows the ensemble to perform other styles of music, such as show tunes by George and Ira Gershwin and even pop music.

The Brazz Brothers (Nor)

In the last few years the Norwegian brass ensemble The Brazz Brothers has entered the European music scene with great success. The audience is "singing their praises" and The Brazz Brothers have gotten overwhelming reviews for their performances and recordings. "The Brazz Brothers set brass instruments in focus in a new and refreshing way"....After years of playing concerts and touring the Scandinavian countries The Brazz Brothers today have visited Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, England, Slovakia, Holland, Canada, USA, Asia and Africa. During the last years, they have given more than 120 concerts a year. Their reputation as great "live" performers makes them a favorite in every festival or concert.All the music that The Brazz Brothers plays is composed or arranged by the members of the group and represent a unique mix of traditional jazz, modern jazz and folk music from different parts of the world. The Scandinavian folk music tradition is strongly represented. All this is presented and performed with instrumental virtuosity and spontaneous humor. Often The Brazz Brothers invite guest stars and partners in their musical projects. Musicians like Lester Bowie (trp.), Yousou N'Dour (voc.), John Surman (sax), Famoudou Don Moye (perc.), Amina Meyers (piano, organ), David Peaston (voc.), Rebecca Storm (voc.), Phil Minton (voc.), Povl Dissing (voc.), Sissel Kyrkjebø (voc.) Hukwe Zawose (afro.) and many others.They also present their own compositions and arrangements in co-operation with other bands like Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy, the Tanzanian band Tatunane ("Afrobrazz"), the Japaneze Shidara drum ensemble, different big-bands, brass-bands and professional Symphony Orchestras and Choirs.

True North Brass (Canada)

Celebrating its 10th Anniversary Season, True North Brass burst onto the scene in 1997, and has since solidified its reputation as one of the world’s finest brass ensembles. True North’s membership includes two outstanding composer/arrangers who create the ensemble’s fresh and unique programming. Proudly Canadian in focus and expression with a truly international outlook, True North Brass has been welcomed not only in Canada, but in China and throughout North America.

True North Brass was featured at the International Brass Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia in March 2000, and performed at the 2008 International Trumpet Guild Conference in Banff, Alberta. They accompanied Prime Minister Jean Chrétien’s 1998 trade mission to China, performing recitals in Beijing and Wuhan and directing masterclasses at the Beijing Conservatory.

The Los Angeles Brass Ensemble (USA)

The Los Angeles Brass Ensemble is changing the way music is performed and experienced. From trail blazing classical and jazz arrangements, to remarkable original compositions, to burning pop standards, the Los Angeles Brass Ensemble sets new definitions in brass performance while thrilling audiences with an entirely fresh and exhilarating musical experience that’s perfect for all ages.
With an eye popping size of 14 brass musicians, the Ensemble’s captivating and animated programming mixed with its quick-witted humor, beaming personality and intoxicating musical knowledge results in a thrilling concert of day or evening entertainment that is not to be missed. The Los Angeles Brass Ensemble eclipses the standard brass literature with an assortment of hair-raising arrangements and compelling original compositions that redefine the role of brass music. Whether through classical, jazz or pop, audiences of all ages are continually treated to an extraordinary musical event that is unparalleled in entertainment today.
With an undying desire not only to perform but educate as well, Founder and Music Director Justin Freer has committed the Los Angeles Brass Ensemble to dedicating its energies and expertise to educating musicians in every corner of the world. With its unique and dazzling programming and comprehensive master classes, students of all levels are exposed to the necessary tools and techniques needed to succeed as a musician in today’s continually developing musical climate.

Brandt Brass Ensemble (Russia)

Brandt Brass Ensemble – is a unique Russian musical group that performs as a ten-brass since August, 2003. Ensemble was founded in Saratov (Russia) – a city of great cultural traditions. It is named after V. G. Brandt – an outstanding german trumpeter, who had founded the trumpet classes and symphonic orchestra at the Saratov State Conservatory since the days of its foundation.
Brandt Brass Ensemble gave their first concert “The Brass Fantasy” on the 20th of December, 2003. It had a great response in Saratov’s musical community.
Brandt Brass Ensemble took part in Brass Festival (Lichtenberg, Germany) in June, 2004, organized by Rekkenze Brass and Haus Marteau. Israel composer Boris Pigovat wrote the Jewish Rhapsody “Dedicated to M. Chagall” exclusively for Brandt Brass Ensemble. The first night of this masterpiece was on the final concert of the festival in Bad Steben.
Brandt Brass Ensemble represented Russia on the ITG Conference, June, 2005 in Bangkok (Thailand). Their programme was called “Dreaming under the birch-tree”.
Ensemble is actively working with the composers from many countries. Michael Kheifetz (Saratov, Russia) commissioned “Drunken Song” to Brandt Brass Ensemble, first night was given at the ITG Conference in Bangkok 2005, there they gave another first night of “Tchastushka” by Alexander Gilev (Moscow, Russia).
There are several publications about Brandt Brass Ensemble in the international and Russian mass media. In American ITG Journal: September 2004, October 2005; in English The Brass Herald August 2005, February 2006. In Russia mass media: cultural digest “Footlights” February 2004, November 2005; in information-analitycal edition “The Time” № 13 October 2005; in newspaper Komsomolskaya Truth from the 14th March, 2006.

Gomalan brass quintet (Italy)

Gomalan Brass Quintet - Soul Bossa Nova live in Rome
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Play well while working towards the best possible results: this is the aspiration that brought together, almost by chance, five musicians from different towns in Italy, who in the past have played, and currently still play, as principal musicians in some of the most prestigious orchestras in Europe - to name but some, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Munich Radio Orchestra, the Frankfurt Opera, La Scala in Milan, the Santa Cecilia Academy, the Maggio Musicale Forentino, Teatro San Carlo in Naples, Teatro Regio in Turin, the Italian Swiss Radio Orchestra in Lugano, and the National Symphony Orchestra of the RAI national radio and TV -, working with some of the world’s greatest living conductors, such as Metha, Muti, Maazel, Pretre, Sinopoli, Giulini, Chung…
The Gomalan Brass Quintet, as we know it today, was formed in 1999; motivated by a desire to express their maximum artistic potential, the group performs a repertoire that goes from Renaissance to contemporary music, yet by no means snubs genres at times considered less refined.
Just two years after starting out, in November 2001, the group won one of the world’s most prestigious awards: the first prize at the "Town of Passau" International Contest in Germany, receiving enthusiastic praise from renowned international brass celebrities such as Roger Bobo, David Ohanian, Steaven Mead, Dale Clevenger and Froydis Ree Wekre, all of whom consider the Gomalan Brass one of the most captivating and exciting groups on the international circuit.
A regular presence at the most important concert halls and main Italian musical festivals, (Festival di Stresa, The Sounds of the Dolomites, Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome, the theatres of Bolzano, Parma, Bologna, Turin, Milan, ...), the Gomalan Brass has also performed in the United States, Canada, England, Scotland, Germany, Greece and Switzerland, and has given Master Classes at the Tanglewood Institute of Music, at Toronto University of Music, at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and at the University of Music in Glasgow.
Numerous radios have broadcast concerts and pieces by the Gomalan Brass Quintet, to name but a few: Bayerisches Rundfunk, Radio Vaticana, Radio Canada and Radio Rai Tre (for whom the group has performed several world premières).
The Quintet has made two CDs, (with a third currently under production), produced by Summit Records, today one of the world’s most prestigious labels for brasses

Opus 5 (Switzerland)

Opus 5 Brass Quintet, which was founded by Bertrand Galley in May 2007, has a colourful repertory of chamber music that ranges from the Renaissance up through the contemporary period, and even includes jazz.
The rich and extensive span of Opus 5 Brass Quintet’s timbre has inspired musicians either to compose or to arrange musical numbers especially for their performance. These compositions let the musical ensemble explore fully the deep, warm registers ofthe trombone and of the tuba as well as the crystalline brilliance of the piccolo trumpet.
Mindful of the pedagogical needs of school children, Opus 5 Brass Quintet has specially designed programmes meant to encourage exposure to the fine world of classical music for youth audiences. Well-known actors and musicians take part in these educational performances. Of late, the group has performed such time-honoured work as Francis Poulenc’s Histoire de Babar le petit elephant, Sergey Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, and Camille Saint-Saën’s Carnaval des Animaux.

Quatuor1084 (France)

The quatuor 1084°C merged together in 1998 at the Paris Conservatoire where they were awarded unanimouly the first price of chamber music in June 2000. Stemming from four personnalities of high calibre this music group originally classic could rapidly extend their repertory . Playing con brio and enthusiastically a self-made arrangement of the String Quatuor n°1 of Tchaikovski or the music of the film Rabbi Jacob, no anachronism frightens them: they are able to make a”coming back to the future”of nearly four centuries in only one hour and a half.
The result of a regular work and of a constant dialogue their catalogue is made in the image of their character: varied programmes for varying occasions and places. Since beginning 2006 the association” Brass à la carte” promotes 1084° particularly by reviving their first show “ZOOM on the screen”. Organized by the “Musical Youth of France “ the made a two-year-tour in the whole country.

Per Sonare

Per Sonare is a fantastic Brass ensemble from Austria. Just before Christmas they mixed and mastered there Christmas CD ''Weihnachten bei uns'' It's a pleasure to listen to great Christmas music. Go to the website and buy that CD!

Presidio Brass (USA)

Hailing from “ America’s Finest City”, San Diego, CA, Presidio Brass is a dynamic force in American brass chamber music. With a unique and exciting repertoire written specifically for the ensemble, the Presidio Brass is committed to providing engaging musical programs as well as developing close ties to their audience. Presidio has concertized nationally, presenting formal recitals as well as educational outreach programs throughout the United States. Members
of the ensemble have been seen with major symphony orchestras, including the London Philharmonic and Los Angeles Philharmonic; can be heard on soundtracks ranging from video games to major motion pictures; and have been educated at several of America’s finest institutions, including the Juilliard School, Boston Conservatory, Manhattan School of Music
and USC. Presidio Brass was formed primarily to promote musical education and appreciation in the next generation.