One of the most respected brass ensembles in the United States, Burning River Brass has been dazzling audiences from Alaska to Taiwan with "power and virtuosity," "harmonious blend," and "consistently stirring performances." Composed of twelve of the finest brass and percussion players in the country, Burning River Brass is an ensemble on fire!
The original inspiration behind Burning River Brass was to give great players who were also good friends a chance to play together on a consistent basis. Soon after the first rehearsal in May 1996, BRB began to grow rapidly. The ensemble made its debut in September of 1996 in Tremont, Ohio under the auspices of Arts Renaissance Tremont and by 1998 was touring nationally.
In 1999 Burning River Brass was offered a recording contract by Dorian Recordings® and shortly thereafter recorded its first CD — Of Knights and Castles. The disc was met with great critical acclaim and was followed by the release of Russian Carnival in 2000. The group’s third CD was entitled Romanza Espana—Spanish Masterworks for Brass and was released in the fall of 2004. During the 2005 holiday season, BRB released its long requested Christmas CD—Christmas Around the World. All of the recordings have been praised for their energy, sound, and style. In a few weeks Burning River Brass will release its second Christmas album: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
In concert, Burning River Brass presents a wide range of music that audiences find entertaining and that the ensemble enjoys playing. The ensemble is consistently applauded for the infectious joy with which it performs. BRB’s repertoire includes fresh arrangements of classic literature as well as original works written specifically for the group. The ensemble's camaraderie continues into BRB’s educational and outreach programs, where the players provide students with a rich, positive experience to encourage their enthusiasm for music in the future.
A featured guest at the 2006 NTDTV New Year's Gala at Radio City Music Hall, Burning River Brass has been heard on NPR’s Performance Today and Sunday Baroque as well as radio stations throughout the United States and abroad. During the 2008-9 season, BRB will continue to tour nationally visiting New York, California, Delaware, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio.
