Classical British Brass Bands

[jbtsax]

In addition to the music of the Beatles, another great contribution to the world of music from the U.K. is the brass band and the body of literature written for that ensemble. I was first introduced to the genre several years ago when a conductor and his wife who was a cornet soloist moved to Utah and started a British style brass band here. I immediately fell in love with the sound and the new literature I have never heard before.

Are there any other fans of this style of music at the Cafe, and if so which groups are your favorites?

 

[Halfers]

Simply because of the interesting choice of tune you've chosen above, I wonder if you're aware that's not a 'traditional' Brass band tune?

You've probably come across Grimethorpe Colliery Band, who are probably one of the best know British Brass Bands.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KigDxUQ_hgY

 

[nigeld]

I think @jbtsax ’s example is also the Grimethorpe Colliery Band.
Another famous UK band is the Black Dyke Mills Band.

When I was a child, we lived in a mining village in County Durham, and every colliery had its own brass band.
Ours (Boldon Colliery) was special because it was a silver band - the instruments were silver plated instead of brass-coloured, and as every saxophone player knows, this gives a completely different sound. 😉

Here’s Grimethorpe Band in a less serious mood. It’s worth waiting for the tuba czardas solo in the second half.

 

[Halfers]

I think @jbtsax ’s example is also the Grimethorpe Colliery Band.

Yes, sorry. saw that after the event! The Colliery Band had a bit of a 'Popular' revival in the late 70's and 80's? Thanks (or not, perhaps) to Terry Wogan. There was another Brass Band based hit during that period, but can't remember the name

 

[nigeld]

Here’s an example of cross-pond collaboration between the New York Staff Band and the Black Dyke Mills Band.

 

[Ivan]

There was another Brass Band based hit during that period, but can't remember the name

I think it went,

De de de der, de de der, de de dee der de derm

Woz it The Flower Dance?

 

[Tenor Viol]

I used to live in Sandbach in Cheshire, where Fodens (truck builders) was based. They also had a band. Although Fodens ceased trading over 20 years ago, the band still exists.

View: https://youtu.be/MgMyy-uIGkw

 

[Halfers]

I think it went,

De de de der, de de der, de de dee der de derm

Woz it The Flower Dance?

The Floral Dance, was Wogan's hit!

I was actually thinking of 'Eye Level' which perhaps isn't technically a Brass Band (Simon Park Orchestra), but lots of brass in it.

 

[Halfers]

@jbtsax You might be interested in this film from a few Years back. I seem to remember it was being quite a good watch.

Brassed Off - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[jbtsax]

Simply because of the interesting choice of tune you've chosen above, I wonder if you're aware that's not a 'traditional' Brass band tune?
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KigDxUQ_hgY

🙂

 

[Ne0Wolf7]

The brass band is one of my favorite types of ensembles, and my current inspiration for pretending that I am trying to learn trumpet, haha (it was originally the tpet solo on Sing Sing Sing from the 1938 Benny Goodman concert in Carnegie hall).

Brass bands have such a warmth and depth to the sound that's so hard to find with any other ensemble.
They're not a full British brass band, but I really like the Canadian Brass group.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Cst9lV5PPg

 

[rhysonsax]

@jbtsax You might be interested in this film from a few Years back. I seem to remember it was being quite a good watch.

Brassed Off - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Lots of famous British actors.

Orange Juice.

Rhys

 

[rhysonsax]

Not really a Brass Band in the British sense, but Mnozil Brass are amazing to see live.

No written music and very entertaining.

Rhys

 

[jbtsax]

The highest compliment I can pay the cornet soloists in the top brass bands is that they make their brass instrument sound like a woodwind. I know of nothing in the brass band literature that demonstrates that better than the 2nd movement of Gustav Holst's Moorside Suite.

 

[Targa]

This is my favourite Brass
Brass

 

[Trav1s]

Great thread! Phillip Jones Brass Band is one of my favorites from the British brass band world. We have a great British Brass band group here in Eastern Iowa: The Eastern Iowa Brass Band - Main

I'd love to play but lack the time necessary to make the commitment. Playing trombone is fun in these groups but euphoniums get all the great lines and harmonies but I don't have a euphonium of my own.


I played in a brass quintet for 3-4 years before I moved and it was much fun. The trumpet/trumpet/horn/trombone/tuba arrangement can produce a wide range of sounds and colors. When done will it is beautiful and when done poorly there is nowhere to hide.

I also really enjoyed playing in a Tuba/Euphonium quartet in college. Two euphs and two tubas can make some beautiful music together.

So much music to play and so little time and money for instruments!

 

[jbtsax]

Isn't it amazing what a bunch of homo sapiens buzzing their lips and blowing onto tubes can produce. 🙂

A band teacher friend of mine when asked what he did for a living jokingly replied, "I teach children how to blow into tubes." The person who asked the question replied, "That's nice" and just walked away.