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Canadian Brass returns to roots

The five virtuosi of the world’s most popular brass group are touring Europe and North America in support of Magic Horn, their debut CD release for Canada’s Opening Day Recordings label. CANADIAN BRASS will appear in Toronto for the November 23 launch of Magic Horn, and return home again for its annual Holiday performance at Roy Thomson Hall, December 23.

“As we celebrate our 34th season, it is only appropriate that we come back to where it all started, to perform for our Canadian fans,” says trombonist Gene Watts. “Canadians have always been supportive of our music and we are proud to be their ambassadors.”

Magic Horn features settings of works by Piazzolla, Paganini, Ellington and Luther Henderson, plus the world premiere recording of Bramwell Tovey’s Santa Barbara Sonata, specially commissioned for CANADIAN BRASS.

“It was a great pleasure to work with this talented group of musicians, and to contribute to one of their finest offerings to date,” comments Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Music Director Tovey, winner of the 2003 JUNO for Best Classical Composition. “Canadian Brass has amassed a stunning body of work, a living tribute to an extraordinary career that music fans around the world have enjoyed for almost 35 years.”

As a bonus to the already varied programming on Magic Horn, an enhanced CD video track by Rhombus-Media is included featuring CANADIAN BRASS performing the music of Michael Kamen in the spectacular fall setting of the Elora Quarry.

CANADIAN BRASS began in Toronto in 1970 with a distinctive sound, dynamic character and an extraordinary connection with audiences. Three original members—Gene Watts, trombone; Chuck Daellenbach, tuba; and Stuart Laughton, trumpet—are still with the group, and have been joined by Joe Burgstaller, trumpet, and Jeff Nelsen, horn. With over 50 recordings to date, CANADIAN BRASS’ repertoire of over 600 works testifies to the group’s unprecedented recording, arranging and commissioning activities.

OPENING DAY RECORDINGS (www.openingday.com) was founded in 1993 to showcase Canadian classical performers and composers. The company earned an enviable reputation for excellence and five JUNO nominations plus a JUNO win. The Opening Day Entertainment Group (incorporated 2003) extends this initiative across a notably broad musical spectrum, with three labels concentrating on Top 40 (OP3), roots/blues (Opening Night) and classical. Opening Day is distributed by SRI, Peterborough (www.sricanada.com), tel. 705.748.5422.

In support of plans for a dynamic new performing arts centre for the community, CANADIAN BRASS will be “Trumpeting a new era in Burlington” with an appearance at PERFORMING ARTS BURLINGTON’s Annual General Meeting on November 23, 2004. CANADIAN BRASS has been invited to inaugurate many of North America’s premiere music venues such as Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Dallas’ Meyerson Hall, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and Toronto’s own Roy Thomson Hall.

ROY THOMSON HALL CONCERT:

The quintet returns to Toronto for its annual Christmas Concert, at 8 p.m. on December 23, 2004, at Roy Thomson Hall. Tickets are $29-$55 and are available at 416.872.4255 or online at www.roythomson.com.