Boston Brass
09.04.08 | Boston Brass in "The Brass Herald".
Check out our latest interview in this world prestigious brass publication. Also, on this issue, an article written by Jose Sibaja on brass basics.
07.09.08 | Boston Brass' "Latin Nights"
Boston Brass is pleased to announce the release of our newest album. Produced by Sam Pilafian, "Latin Nights" is one of the most exciting projects we have worked on. Guest artists include Carlomagno Araya (percussion), Talita Real (voice), Clarke Rigsby (guitar/engineer) and the incredible Steve Gadd (drums). A mix of styles that will take you on a journey throughout landscapes and portraits of Spain, Latin America and Brazil. "Latin Nights" will be on sale as early as September. We hope you enjoy it.
06.09.08 | Thanks
Thanks for all the support we have been getting from all of you. It was a pleasure and a great honor to perform at ITG. To our old friends, it was great to see you and to our new ones; thanks for your kindness and support. Boston Brass only keeps going because of all of you. Again, from the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!
04.10.08 | Lakota West High School wins National Concert Band Competition
The Lakota West Symphonic Winds band of West Chester, Ohio is the winner of the National Concert Band Competition sponsored by Jupiter Band Instruments. The Lakota West High School Band is directed by Mr. Greg Snyder and has been selected twice to perform at the Midwest Clinic, in both 2000 and 2006.
As winners of the 2008 National Concert Band Competition, the band will receive a two-day visit at their school from the Boston Brass and renown conductor Dr. Stan Michalski. The band will have a full clinic with the Boston Brass, including a special session for parents led by Dr. Michalski. The visit will culminate with a concert where the Boston Brass will perform two pieces with Lakota West and the band will also be guest conducted by Dr. Michalski.
For more information on the Lakota West High School bands please visit http://www.lakotawestbands.org/.
03.26.08 | Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser says:
"The Boston Brass is made up of five innately gifted musicians who demonstrate a level of musical proficiency certain to thrill any audience. More importantly, they are master teachers dedicated to sharing their artistic wisdom with young musicians; they are first class ambassadors for music in our schools."
11.30.07 | Rick DeJonge's "Cinematic Fantasy" Video (live)
BB and the Air force Band of the Golden West join forces on this incredible composition. Conducted by Captain Michael Mench.
11.04.07 | Check out Lance's "Flight Plan for Practice".
Go to our downloads section and download the article. It's under master class material. It will be a great journey......
10.23.07 | Caravan Video (live)
BB at UNLV.... Courtesy of Captain Michael Mench.
10.23.07 | Danza Final Video (live)
BB at UNLV.... Courtesy of Captain Michael Mench.
10.23.07 | Takada Video (live)
We don't always have to play to ....... Courtesy of Captain Michael Mench.
10.23.07 | Rick DeJonge's latest composition "FLIGHT" Video (live)
BB and the Air force Band of the Golden West join forces on this incredible composition. Conducted by Captain Michael Mench.
09.20.07 | Boston Brass latest interview in Asia..... Catch it here!!!!
Boston Brass in "Prime Time Morning"...This is one of the most watched news broadcasts in Asia, check it out!!
09.07.07 | Interview for Clarino.Print (German magazine)
Check out Boston Brass' latest interview for the prestigious Clarino.Print Magazine. This German publication met with us in our last trip to Europe. To read it just go to the downloads section of the website and click on the BB interview thumbnail.
08.20.07 | SUMMERTIME..............
This summer, Boston Brass had the opportunity to play in some amazing venues all over the world. The 3rd of July we played in New York City at the Naumburg Band Shell in Central Park to around 1,000 people. It was a beautiful night and a great experience. The band shell has a long and varied history and it was an honor to play there.
The morning of the 5th of July we headed to Europe for a series of master classes and performances in Spain, Germany and Austria. We made some new friends (HELLO! to Luis Miguel, Juan Manuel Garijo, Angel, and Rüdiger), had TOO MUCH awesome food (paella, calamari, mouth bags… don’t ask), and played for many nice people as well.
We were gone for a little over a week and our trip culminated in a masterclass
and three performances for the Mid-Europe conference in Schladming, Austria. We even got to hang out with some other Americans, including our good friends Ray Cramer and Col. Arnold Gabriel who were also guests at Mid-Europe.
A week after our arrival home, we were off again to perform at the Kappa Kappa Psi/Tau Beta Sigma National Conference in Orlando, Florida. Col. Alan Bonner, the Executive Director of the organizations invited us down to give a masterclass and a concert. The audiences for both events were incredibly warm and enthusiastic. Thanks to Gail Robertson for trying to help us find a tuba when Andrew’s briefly visited Colorado.
Once again, about a week later, we headed back to Europe, this time to Greece. Our good friend Vinnie DiMartino handed off this wonderful opportunity to us. We had a tremendous time once again working with students, eating great food and playing for a very warm audience in Kalavrita, about three hours from Athens. A couple of us were even able to visit the Parthenon and Acropolis. Amazing!!!!!!!. Thanks again to Vinnie and two great friends we made in Greece, George Babarakos and Gerassimos Ioannidis.
Since then, we’re enjoying about a month off to get ready for the fall season, which starts in early September. Thanks to Andrea Brown we have a trip back to Austin Peay (Go Peay!) in Tennessee, before we head to Asia for three weeks.
We hope to see you soon!
06.26.07 | Kenton's recording reviewed on The Brass Herald.
CD REVIEW
by Steven Haynes
Scroll down for more fun stuff to read.....
It's over 45 years since The Stan Kenton Band released its Christmas album. How lucky we are then that this Christmas sees the re-release of these charts (and a couple of new ones) by the sensational Boston Brass.
Interestingly, the original Kenton recording almost didn't happen due to the controversy of a jazz band recording a selection of Christmas carols. What a travesty that would have been and how grateful we should be that Boston Brass have brought these arrangements, from the pen of Kenton and Ralph Carmichael, back to life with the addition of two new works from J D Shaw and Sam Pilafian. Whilst these great arrangements play a large role in the success of this CD, the contribution of the players (Boston Brass and the Brass All-Stars Big Band) is immense. The brass quintet Boston Brass, one of the busiest and best known quintets working today, is the foundation for this incredible extended group of musicians and just one glance at the line¬ up of players is enough to set any brass enthusiast's pulse racing! The CD kicks off with a Ralph Carmichael arrangement of Good King Wenceslas. Straight away the extremely high technical standards and sound quality of the group are apparent with the initial bell effects making way for a swing melody with rhythm section. The next few tracks, although fairly short at around two minutes, each have something fabulous to offer. From the magical lyricism of the trombone section in God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen to the electric flamboyancy of what is clearly an incredible trumpet section in We Three Kings Of Orient Are. The texture is always varied with a wide range of tonal colours and some really juicy chords, with piano, whistling and percussion wonderfully complementing the more delicate passages. I can't over emphasise the brilliance of these arrangements; they utilise every possible capability of this 17 strong group comprising four trumpets, four trombones, four horns (originally Kenton's mellophoniums), tuba, kit, bass, piano and percussion. It really is a joy to progress through the 13 tracks of all the well known Christmas carols you could ever ask for plus a few others thrown in along the way; notably JD Shaw's arrangement of Greensleeves which has a good Latin feel and some more excellent trumpet and horn playing. Indeed all the playing is simply out of this
world and it is clear why they're referred to as 'the Brass All-Stars Big Band'. Boston Brass (Rich Kelly and Jeff Conner - trumpets, JD Shaw - horn, Ed Clough - trombone and Andrew Hitz - tuba) are joined by some phenomenal brass playing talent: Jens Lindemann (former trumpeter with Canadian Brass), Scott Hartmann (former trombonist with Empire Brass) and also Mark Frost on bass trombone. It's obvious why Boston Brass flew Mark across to the States to record the album; the sound he makes is like nothing else you've ever heard and surely ranks him as one of the best bass trombonists around today (listen out for Mark's feature on the bonus track about three minutes after the last track!). The tuba legend Sam Pilafian directs the group and his arrangement of Motown Jingle Belk closes the CD. It's a funk extravaganza with a big shout playoff ending the CD on a real high. The sleeve notes are highly informative and it is worth noting that the group is giving a series of concerts to mark the launch of the CD in Florida and Michigan in November and December. This CD is fantastic; the playing is as technically incredible as it is musically beautiful and the writing is truly inspired; certainly a worthy addition to anyone's Christmas play list!
64 The Brass Herald December 2006
02.27.07 | A Take on "The Breathing Gym" - By Andrew Hitz
A Take on "The Breathing Gym" - By Andrew Hitz
Scroll down for more articles.........
Wherever we go, I am always asked about my breathing. Many people want to know how I am able to breathe as frequently as I do without getting dizzy, especially on the jazz portion of the program. There is a very simple answer to that question: I practice breathing every single day. Even though you are practicing your breathing any time you are playing a wind instrument, I am referring to practicing breathing...away from the horn.
When a baseball team practices, they do not simply split the team in half and play a game. A baseball team isolates all of the different aspects of the sport: pitching, defense, hitting, and base running. The manager would then break each of these major categories into many much smaller ones to isolate and improve. Once the skills are worked on and progress, the team comes together and plays a game.
In music, you are your own manager! Any time that you are practicing your instrument you should isolate many different aspects of music to improve just as a manager would. And probably the most important aspect of playing a wind instrument is breathing. For many years, I would piece together many different breathing exercises from various masterclasses I had attended from Sam Pilafian, Rex Martin, David Fedderely, and Arnold Jacobs, to name a few. There was never one ultimate source for breathing exercises that you could easily point out to a student. Finally, there is a book and DVD/VHS that tells you everything that you would ever want to know about exercises to improve your breathing. Sam Pilafian and Patrick Sheridan, two of the greatest tuba players in the world, have written a book entitled "The Breathing Gym" which is available at Amazon.com, www.breathinggym.com, or by calling (800)332-2637. I thought that I would share an exercise with you from the book to give you an example.
This exercise is called the "Power Bow and Arrow" and is located on page 22:
Exercise - Breathe in to your fullest capacity in 1 count (stretching) and breathe out in one motion to completely empty (compression). The imaginary guideline is "shooting a bow and arrow." Both the stretch and the compression should be smooth and deliberate. Extend your "bow arm" forward when you "shoot" the arrow, and keep pushing it forward as you squeeze out the air (all the way to a hiss).
As with this exercise, there are pictures throughout the book to show you how to properly perform the exercises. The book also explains the purpose of each exercise (what exact aspect of breathing you are working on) and gives you hints for success. My favorite part of the book is the chart in back. If you are having trouble with something air related in a passage, you can look up that problem and see what exercises you can use to fix it. The DVD or VHS is also a perfect accompaniment to the book. All of the exercises come to life as Sam and Patrick enlist the help of a few Arizona State students who demonstrate all of the stretches and breathing exercises and keep it fun.
Here is the note from Sam and Patrick on their website:
Your students will stretch, breathe, move, and make noise along with Pat and Sam on the video/DVD. These fun exercises help them to:
Increase airflow and stamina.
Improve tone and breathe control.
Reduce body tension.
Raise energy level and focus.
Using The Breathing Gym in your rehearsal is easy!
Just include a few breathing exercises in the warm-up, or do an exercise or two between pieces for a change of pace and a chance to refocus.
Beginning musicians can perform the basic exercises, and even professional musicians are challenged when the exercises are extended to the most difficult levels.
I would highly encourage all of you to check this book out. It is a wonderfully organized resource for all of your breathing needs. Happy practicing and see you on the road!
09.27.05 | Master Class - By J.D. Shaw and Jeff Conner
Master Class - By J.D. Shaw and Jeff Conner
Playing in a chamber ensemble has wonderful opportunities for the growing musician, however too often these students are not presented with a plan of action in order to rehearse and communicate efficiently. The freedom of chamber music is not without its own perils. The absence of a conductor allows the musicians to express their own opinions, but these opinions can also conflict. The challenge is to operate the rehearsal in an open manner while at the same time merging many ideas into one synergistic goal. The ensemble is a team but no team will be successful without strong individual players. Each player needs to understand and study the music carefully, make musical judgements, and be able to present their ideas in a concise manner. One has often heard that "there is no "I" in team," however there is a "me" and the responsibilities of each person are tremendous.
Music is an extremely passionate endeavor and it is easy to be highly protective and defensive of our opinions on how a phrase or section of music should be performed. Musicians tend to take these opinions quite personally, so the feat is to try to separate musical opinions from personal emotion. In an ensemble, everyone's opinions should be laid out on the table. Each presenter of an idea should have thoughtful reason and logic behind their stance. Simply stating "I just feel that it needs to be this way!" is not enough and irresponsible on the part of that player. Communication of ideas is, above all else, the most valuable rehearsal tool that any ensemble can have.
After all ideas have been presented, try rehearsing through some of these ideas. Usually, an idea will take shape in a more convincing manner when performed by the ensemble than simply expressing the idea vocally. Be flexible and open to all opinions because, very often, the group can meld several concepts into one. One will find that there is not necessarily just one correct way to play a section of music. At this point, the musicians need to decide on which action they are going to take. This is not always easy. In Boston Brass, we have the luxury of having 5 members so when we vote there is always a deciding majority. After the vote, the majority's decision is employed. Have faith - trust your fellow musicians. To continue to argue that one's opinion somehow outweighs the decision of the majority is arrogant. If one finds himself in the position of the minority, the responsible action is to live with the decision for a while and see if the idea takes shape. Most often, in Boston Brass, we find that we will merge all of the ideas naturally during performance simply because we are aware of everyone's corresponding opinions.
Many chamber groups have come and gone. The reason for many of their demises come from the fact that many people simply can't work together due to clashing egos, dictatorial leadership, or communication breakdowns. Separation of personal emotion from group decisions and thoughtful argument will circumvent many of these problems that have continually plagued musical ensembles. People ask us all the time "How do you guys live with each other day in and day out? Do you always get along?" In Boston Brass we usually get along famously, but when we do have arguments, we understand each other to a degree that we can make decisions without letting our emotions interfere and we respect and trust each other's talents, abilities and opinions.
08.09.05 | Jeff Conner in The Brass Herald
Jeff Conner Interview in The Brass Herald
Boston Brass
I first encountered Boston Brass in 2001 during a trip to America; this was one of those days that will stay with me forever. I, presumably like many other members of the audience that day, went into the concert expecting to hear yet another highly talented and polished young brass group similar to so many that are around these days. However, it became clear within the first few minutes that here was something quite special: technically superb, musically complete and thoroughly entertaining. Readers who were able to come to the 2002 ITG Conference in Manchester will no doubt remember their impressive performances that week too. I caught up with founder member and trumpeter Jeff Conner to find out more about this fantastic group.
Murray Greig – "Jeff, How and when did the group begin?"
Jeff Conner - "Well, Ed (Clough) and I started the group in 1986 when we were both studying at Boston University. During that time we were extremely fortunate to be coached and to learn the business of chamber music from the members of Empire Brass who were in residence at Boston University."
MG – "That sounds like a good start but what happened then? So many groups start off well at college / university but few last the test of time, which in your case I see is coming up for nearly thirty years (sorry!)"
JC - "We freelanced all around Boston and New England when we first started out, playing everything from weddings, graduations, church services and special events. Basically we did anything to get our name out there and make a little money. One of the most important lessons we learned during this time was to treat every gig / performance that we played as though it was the most important concert of our lives."
MG – "A good maxim and one that you obviously all strongly believe in."
JC – "Yes that’s right and over the years we have been extremely fortunate to find wonderful players who share the same principles to become new partners. An interesting aspect about the group is that once you are asked to join Boston Brass you become an equal partner and owner. Everyone in the group has different responsibilities that range from cd sales/inventory, travel, concert programming and being in constant contact with our management and CG Conn, our instrument sponsor. We know that if we want Boston Brass to succeed everyone must be part an integral part to make it work. There are so many wonderful brass groups out there performing that it’s important for us to be producers of chamber music not just consumers of chamber music."
MG - "Are you still all based in the Boston Area?"
JC – "No not at the moment although it is still “home” to the group. Currently Rich, Ed and I live in Boston or the Boston suburbs whilst JD lives in Tampa and Andrew lives in Baltimore."
MG – "That must make rehearsals difficult to organize? How do you manage to work this out?"
JC - "Our rehearsal schedule is very different now from when we started. When we started out we were rehearsing 12 to 15 hours a week. Now, because we all live different places we tend to rehearse on the road. We have found that our rehearsals are now more focused with no outside distractions. We usually have an agenda for the rehearsal, whether it’s going to be a working session where we learn new stuff or a concert run through."
MG – "Talking of concerts, how many concerts does the group do these days?"
JC - "We are on the road for about half of the year I’d say and between concerts, master classes and residencies we do approximately 120 performances a season."
MG – "When I’ve heard you guys play, apart from the stunning playing, I’ve been most impressed with the repertoire that you play. Not only is it pretty unique but the arrangements are all fantastic! "
JC – "Our horn player, JD, basically does all of the programming and arrangements now. He’s equally at home with both classical and jazz repertoire and knows the rest of the group’s playing so well that the arrangements are truly “made to measure”. His arrangements are really popular and for years people have been trying to get their hands on them. JD has finally succumbed to the pressure and has set up JD Shaw Music online where people can now get hold of his great arrangements. The address is : www.jdshawmusic.com"
MG – "So once JD has arranged it, you all then have to memorize it, is that right?"
JD – "Yes, we memorize our entire show. We feel that this allows us to communicate more with the audience and with each other. "
MG - "You mentioned JD’s affinity with jazz music, I’m still blown away each time I hear you all jazzing away on your “Ya Gotta Try” CD, can you tell us a bit about the improvising / jazz that you do?"
JC - "We all get a chance to play our own solos, which is a lot of fun. Rich definitely has the most experience with improvising and sounds amazing. JD will give us the changes and we can play what ever we want. "
MG – "Boston Brass have traveled far and wide, do you have any memorable moments / venues /concerts that you care to recount?"
JC - "There have been so many. One of the best tours the group has had was when we were in Taiwan last year. The audiences in every city were just amazing. It was a great experience; I was so impressed with how much they knew about brass and brass music. While we were in Taiwan we were scheduled to do a masterclass/concert for an all girl’s high school. We walked into the gym that was about 95 degrees and there were 2500 girls sitting quietly on the floor. We couldn’t believe how polite and well mannered they were. After we started playing the applause and screaming was unbelievable. They made us feel like the Beatles! Two days after we got back from Taiwan we had to go to New Jersey for a week long residency at Roxbury High School. This turned out to be one of our favorite residencies and concerts we have ever done. Both directors, Daryl Bott and Rich Hartsucker were amazing as were the students. It’s always great for us to visit a high school music program and see it thriving."
MG – "So educational work is an important part of you workload?"
JC – "Yes, very much so. It has been a privilege for us to work with and endorse C.G. Conn instruments. We have the opportunity to perform at many of the National and Regional Music Educator Conferences around the United States. We have also done master classes at some of the top music schools in the country. C.G. Conn is strongly committed to music education and it’s also a way for us to thank all the band directors for all the hard work they do. We all had great band directors when we were growing up. Personally my band directors, Al Ezer and Jerry Kazanjian are one of the main reasons I’m still playing today."
MG - "I mentioned the stunning “Ya Gotta Try” CD earlier, what other recordings have the group done?"
JC - "We currently have six recordings out and two that will be out soon. Our classical recordings are called “Stealing the Show” and “Within Earshot”. The jazz recordings are “Young Fogies” and the one you mentioned, “Ya Gotta Try”. We even have a brass and organ cd titled “Out Of This World”. Our latest is a holiday recording “Christmas Bells are Swinging” which has the Syracuse University Wind Ensemble joining us on five tracks. In addition we just finished recording all of our commissions and arrangements with the Capital University Wind Ensemble from Columbus, Ohio. In January 05’ we recorded the Stan Kenton Christmas Carols with a group consisting of 13 brass players and jazz rhythm section. We were privileged to work with some of the best brass players in the world. Jens Lindeman, Jeff Nelson and Chris Cooper who have all been with Canadian Brass, Scott Hartman from Empire Brass, Scott Thornberg and a good friend of yours I believe, Manchester’s own Mark Frost from Brass Band of Battle Creek. To top it all off we had Sam Pilafian conducting. We are looking forward to take this project on the road."
MG – "Wow, I hope we’re going to be able to hear this live too?"
JC – "Yes, though at the moment the only plan for a live performance of the Boston Brass Big Band is later this year in Arizona. However the normal group will be very busy and some of the highlights include concerts in France, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau and Japan, and performing at the National Music Educators Conference in Salt Lake City."
MG - "You mentioned your recording of commissions and arrangements with the Capital University Wind Ensemble, I really enjoyed the “Canyon of Heroes” piece that you performed in Manchester so poignantly shortly after 9/11."
JC - "Yes, we have commissioned many works for band and quintet which will be featured on our recording. Rick Dejonge has written three works for us: “Wayside Festival”, “C.B. Finnegan’s Flight” and “River Jump”. The later was just composed for the first National High School Band Competition sponsored by C.G. Conn and Boston Brass. Other pieces include the “Canyon of Heroes” by Sean O’laughlin that we played in Manchester and “Heroes and Legends” by Barry Kopetz. All of these works have had great responses by our audiences."
MG – "Boston Brass have really “been there and got the T Shirt” in terms of success in the field of brass chamber music, do you have any tips for up and coming young groups?"
JC – "We have found that communication and trust are the really the most important qualities you need for a successful chamber music group. Make sure you are working with people who all share the same goals and only want what’s best for the group but most importantly, have fun! Too many professional groups are owned by one or two people and the other members are just employees. It’s so satisfying when everyone is working hard thus making the success even sweeter."
MG – "Finally, I believe you have some breaking news, a real “Brass Herald Exclusive” for us!"
JC – "Yes, you read it first in the Brass Herald. After an incredible 10 year run, Rich will be retiring from the group at the end of August this year. Rich’s incredible playing, stage presence, educational prowess and positive attitude have really been an integral part of the success of Boston Brass. The ensemble has been solidly based on friendship right from the beginning and Rich’s calm, sincere and loving demeanor has helped the ensemble flourish both artistically and personally. We will all miss him dearly! Rich is expecting a second child in September and plans to spend more time with his family and to explore other musical paths, most notable of these being a solo recording project. Thankfully Rich will continue to be involved with Boston Brass as a producer and will participate in the Boston Brass Big Band projects as well. I can’t even begin to tell you how great it’s been to play with him. I consider myself one of the luckiest trumpet players in the world to be able to play and be friends with Rich. "
MG – "So, come on then, who’s the new guy?"
JC - "Our new lead trumpet is Jose Sibaja, I hope you have a chance to hear him soon. Like Rich, he’s an amazing player and leader and will bring a new excitement to the group. Jose has been playing with the Dallas Brass over the last few seasons and brings an incredible level of artistry, humor and personality to the Boston Brass. He’s a native of Costa Rica and studied at the New World School of the Arts and at the University of Miami. As an orchestral player, Jose has held positions in the Miami Symphony, the Sinfonietta de Caracas and the Orquesta Sinfonica de Venezuela. Jose has been active in South Florida’s Latin music scene and is a member of Ricky Martin’s band. He has also recorded with Celia Cruz, Elvis Crespo, and Franco de Vita. Jose has performed on television on such shows as the Grammy Awards, The American Music Awards, The MTV Music Awards, Total Request Live, The Rosie O’Donnell Show, Late Night with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Saturday Night Live. We are extremely fortunate to have Jose as part of Boston Brass!"
MG – "Well I know that you’ll all really miss Rich but it sounds as if you’ve got it all sorted for the future. It’s been great speaking with you again and hope we get to meet up again soon. Thanks Jeff."
JC – "It’s been a pleasure too. For anyone who wants to know some more about us, please visit www.bostonbrass.com and sign our guest book!. Also you should visit www.jdshawmusic.com for Boston Brass arrangements."
Boston Brass are :
Rich Kelley / Jose Sibaja – Trumpet
Jeff Conner – Trumpet,
JD Shaw – French Horn,
Ed Clough – Trombone,
Andrew Hitz - Tuba
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