Stamford High Black Knights Marching Band

On Monday, April 7, the Stamford Jazz Ensemble was lucky enough to have a clinic and private performance by world-renowned brass quintet, the Boston Brass.

Few ensembles in America possess the versatility, talent and humor which Boston Brass embodies, and their energy in performance and rehearsal is contagious.

The quintet began by playing two charts for us, first being Kris Berg's "The Chicken." This featured an outstanding solo introduction by tuba player Andrew Hitz, as well as humorous, yet impressive improvised solos by the other players, including Jeff Conner (trumpet), Jose Sibaja (trumpet) and Lance LaDuke (trombone). Next, they performed Duke Ellington's "Caravan," a classic chart which can sound cliche, but due to the amazing arranging skills of JD Shaw (French horn), Boston Brass put its own unique style to an old favorite. The guys all had a chance to do some screaming, and contrasted it with soft, mysterious ostinatos. Finally, the students were blown away when JD Shaw nonchalantly traded his horn for trumpet, to finish the chart with an amazing flourish. 

Boston Brass then spent much time rehearsing the Stamford Jazz Ensemble on "Salt Peanuts," by Dizzy Gillespie. JD brought a new level of tightness and feel to the rhythm section. Andrew and Jeff rehearsed techniques in dynamics and listening across the ensemble, while Jose and Lance demonstrated some playing and answered questions about practice methods. The students were opened up to new levels of thinking about even the simplest lines, and got new practice techniques for breathing, articulation and time. Finally Boston Brass answered questions and took the time to speak with students about individual problems, interest in drum corps and further music study. The clinic was invaluable to the Jazz Ensemble, and the passion and personality with which Boston Brass delivered it made the rehearsal productive, intellectual and fun.

As the band director, I would like to thank the Stamford Band Parents Association for making this clinic possible. I also give wholehearted thanks to the phenomenal musicians and my dear friends in Boston Brass: JD Shaw (French horn), Jeff Conner (trumpet), Jose Sibaja (trumpet), Lance LaDuke (trombone) and Andrew Hitz (tuba). They are generous and passionate ambassadors of music education, and inspire everyone they meet to work towards greatness, and have fun doing it. We cannot thank you enough.

For more information about Boston Brass, or to order CDs, visit http://www.bostonbrass.com.

Check out the pictures!