Slokar Quartet (Switzerland)

The Slokar Quartet whose members are Branimir Slokar, György Gyivicsan, Wassil Christov and Armin Bachmann, have already celebrated their 35th anniversary.
During this long and fruitful period of intense concert activity all over the world they have built up a very broad repertoire which ranges from arrangements of early baroque music to first performances of contemporary works. These four dedicated mudicians delight their audiences with their homogeneous sound, their brilliant virtuosity and their profound musicianship, which they often present in a very charming and humorous manner.
Many important contemporary composers have been inspired to collaborate intensively with the Slokar Quartet, which has led to a significant expansion of present-day trombone literature.
The latest Slokar Quartet CD - "Trombone Virtuoso" is on its way now!

Hans Gansch

Hans Gansch was born in 1953 in Kirnberg an der Mank, Austria. At the age of seven, he received his first music instruction from his father Johann Gansch (on the recorder and the small drum). When he was 11, he started playing trumpet in a band lead by his father. He studied trumpet with Professor Franz Veigl at the Anton Bruckner University in Linz.

From 1974 to 1976 he held the position as principal trumpeter with the Brucknerorchester Linz and from 1976 to 1982 he held the same position in the Symphony Orchestra of the Austrian Broadcast. From 1982 to 1996 he was first trumpeter in the Orchestra of the Viennese State Opera and with the Vienna Philharmonic. Since 1996, Hans Gansch has been trumpet professor at the Mozarteum in Salzburg.

Raya Brass Band (USA)

Raya Brass Band (pronounced “RYE ah”) is the sort of brass band that gleefully mashes up the music of Eastern Europe with funky American dance grooves, Reggaeton, and whatever else it gets its hands on. Featuring odd meters, unusual scales and a fine helping of gorgeous Balkan and Romany (Gypsy) melodies played on reeds, trumpet, accordion, tuba and drums, Raya Brass Band slakes the thirst for something old and new at the same time, unusual and funky, spiritedly played by some of NYC’s finest Balkan folk musicians.

Raya Brass Band draws in both average listeners and Eastern European folk music aficionados alike with its energetic and engaging portable show. As a fully acoustic ensemble, Raya Brass Band can wander freely, bringing a Balkan style dance party everywhere it goes. With members of the band ready to teach basic Balkan dances at the drop of a hat, the audience can choose to listen, learn some new dance steps, or shake everything they’ve got however they like!

Jorgen Welander (Sweden) - Funky tuba solo

Brass Ballet (Germany)

BRASSBALLETT is not just the name of a band, but a new musical genre.
That kind of music which transforms musicians into dancers and the practice room into a dancehall.
Modern brass music fuses with such styles of dance like Hip-Hop, Salsa, Street Dance, Tango and many more.
It’s all about reaching one goal: that you, dear audience won’t get bored and possibly will be able to say it the end of our show – WOW!
 
Video HERE and HERE

Brett Baker (UK)

"The name Brett Baker has become an established, household name in the world of brass, not least for the level of commitment and focus that this outstanding musician has given to his craft. Brett has always combined ‘Nature with Nurture' in an ever evolving quest for personal fulfilment in and through his music making. His outstanding musical accomplishments are testament to his ‘can do' attitude combining his talent with tenacity and his desire with determination. Brett was always destined to fulfil his personal goals and aspirations and I believe the future ‘new generation' of British brass enthusiasts have much to glean from seeking to emulate the formulae and foundation principles that Brett continues to share with those that search to live their own dream and draw on the resource of his knowledge and experience." Professor David King

Brett Baker is well established as one of the finest trombonists in Europe and has been described as being at the pinnacle of his glittering career. As principal trombone in Black Dyke Band - one of the most famous brass bands in the world - and as a guest soloist who has appeared with many other bands in Europe, America, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, together with his many solo recordings, technical accomplishments and warm personality, Brett's fame and popularity is truly world-wide. Add to this his commissioning of new works for trombone, teaching, conducting and adjudicating skills (he is a clinician for Michael Rath Trombones) and his reputation as an exceptional all-round musician is assured.

Polished Brass Quintet (Canada)

Ottawa's Polished Brass Quintet was founded in 1995 by a very fine gentleman named Bob Antosik. Bob's three-decade working career was in the RCMP, then CMHC. He played the tuba as a hobby for many years; then, after "retirement", he pulled together a group of brass-playing friends, including the late Sid Holmes, a trumpet legend in Ottawa, scrounged some quintet music, and the Polished Brass was born. Over the years, individual members have come and gone, but Bob remained throughout, encouraging new players, keeping the rehearsals going and the music flowing. Bob's dedication was proven beyond a doubt when, the day after a long afternoon concert at the Mackenzie-King estate, it was determined that he had done the whole event with a broken hip!


Bob Antosik died on 20 September 2009 at the age of 76. He had played a concert with the band just four days earlier. As the tuba player, he was necessarily the musical "anchor" of the Polished Brass Quintet, but that title fit in many other ways as well. The other members miss him.

With a library of over 500 numbers, they can tailor a programme for just about any event or musical taste. Indeed, they've played in parades and flotillas, for receptions and weddings, Church services and cultural events. They have played on Parliament Hill for a couple of thousand people, but they also entertained in hospitals for a couple of dozen.

Listen to 'Ain't Misbehavin'

The Venezuelan Brass Ensemble

The Venezuelan Brass Ensemble has set itself the task of giving fresh impetus to brass-instrument education in Venezuela. Since its foundation under the patronage of José Antonio Abreu, father of the Venezuelan orchestral movement, the Venezuelan Brass Ensemble has raised its professionalism to a high level with the exemplary support of internationally recognized musicians. Thanks to the academic guardianship assumed by the Berlin Philharmonic, and the financial support given by the Inter-American Development Bank, high-calibre teachers have been signed up for master classes in Venezuela.

Oberloh Woodwind and Brass Works

Oberloh has the capability to fabricate instrument parts that are no longer carried by the manufacturer. If you have an instrument that other shops say cannot be repaired or rebuilt, bring the horn to them before you give up hope!
The image above shows the King BBb helicon shortly after its completion. Manufactured by the H.N. White Co. in 1905 for the United States Military. Fully restored by Daniel C. Oberloh in satin silver plate. The valves were also completely rebuilt during the process. It is the oldest one of its type that Oberloh Woodwind and Brass Works has ever restored.
More pictures HERE!

Eclipse Trumpets

Eclipse trumpets are hand built to the highest standards, using the finest quality component parts and materials. The Eclipse features a uniquely designed main tuning slide not seen in other trumpets. By moving the tuning slide away from its traditional location as part of the leadpipe, we believe we have found a solution to the disturbance of airflow between mouthpiece and valve section. Much attention and development has gone into this key part of our design.
Eclipse Trumpets are offered either as a fixed leadpipe instrument or as an interchangeable leadpipe instrument, with both options featuring an uninterrupted airflow from mouthpiece to valve section due to our unique tuning mechanism. You will find that a lot more of your energy passes through the instrument rather than into it, creating a pure blow with greater projection - without the extra effort. MORE...

Brass Ensemble of the Berliner Philharmoniker (Ger.)

The Brass Ensemble of the Berliner Philharmoniker is among those Philharmonic chamber groups which have been playing together over the longest period. Their mutual interest in solo music-making is regarded by the members as fully equivalent to their day-to-day orchestral work. The ensemble is distinguished by highly nuanced blowing technique and its preference for German instruments because of their beauty of tone. The standard instrumentation of four trumpets and four trombones is regarded as authentic for the music of the 16th and 17th centuries, which forms a mainstay of the ensemble’s repertoire.

Of course the musicians also employ an array of instruments as called for by the music at hand: ranging from the high B flat trumpet by way of the bass trumpet to the contrabass trombone. On occasion, additional players and other instruments are brought in, such as horns, tuba or percussion. This variety allows for the performance of music from many periods and in many styles – even extending to Beatles adaptations. The ensemble’s extremely successful concert activities take it regularly to numerous European musical capitals and festivals as well on tour to Japan. It also has made numerous studio, radio and television recordings.
More here...

Prime Brass (UK)

Cambridge-based ensemble Prime Brass was formed in 1989 by trumpeter Paul Garner. For its first thirteen years Prime Brass appeared predominantly as a quintet, comprising (since 2001) Michel Sedgwick and Paul Garner (trumpets), Guy Llewellyn (horn), Alex Hewins (trombone) and Christopher Lawrence (tuba). Since 2002, however, the ensemble has developed into a regular 10-piece ensemble, and it is in this formation that Prime Brass currently gives most of its concerts.
As well as regular 10-piece and quintet performances, the ensemble expands for a few concerts each year to perform repertoire for symphonic forces or larger. In particular, the players appreciate the opportunity to perform regularly in Ely Cathedral and the Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge. Prime Brass gives an annual recital in King’s Chapel, conducted by the Director of Music at King’s, Stephen Cleobury, with whom the ensemble enjoys a flourishing relationship. These recitals include the addition of the organ, reflecting the ensemble’s exploration of the repertoire for this combination, which has led to performances of works by composers such as Cowell, David, Delerue, Hakim, Koechlin, Langlais, Leitner, Müller-Zürich, Schmidt, Vierne and Wills. Read more...