Dan Haverstock & Zack Smith, trumpets; John Jensen, trombone; Charles Bubeck, mallets; Gerry Kunkel, guitar; Jon Nazdin, bass, Steve Rosenheim, drums
Influences
Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass; Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66; Antonio Carlos Jobim; Baja Marimba Band; Joao Gilberto
Sounds Like
Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass...
They burst onto the scene in 1962 with a new song called The Lonely Bull, which was inspired by the brassy sounds and excitement that Herb Alpert had witnessed at a bullfight in Tijuana, Mexico.
The totally new and unique style that developed from these beginnings was a combination of American pop and Mexican mariachi, with a bit of mainstream jazz, a touch of Dixieland, and a pinch of bossa nova, sprinkled with various other ethnic flavors, and a healthy dash of good humor.
People were soon drawn to this new sound with its refreshingly upbeat spirit, and there were many other hit songs to come. A dream that literally began in Herb Alpert's garage grew into a hugely successful performing group and a major record company, A&M Records.
When we tell people that we play the music of Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, they'll often say something like, "Oh, yeah, I used to LOVE that music!" The TJB's sound was so unusual and distinctive that very few bands have tried to recreate it, and so that music hasn't been as fresh in people's minds as other music from that era. But we usually get a smile as they recall that great old music... kinda retro, always upbeat, tasteful, but with a healthy dose of good humor.
Dan and Zack got the idea to create a TJB tribute band a few years ago while on the long drive home from yet another unremarkable gig... somebody mentioned Herb Alpert's name in passing, and the other said something like "Oh yeah... I used to LOVE that music!" and "Do you remember that Whipped Cream ALBUM COVER?!" We agreed that, as trumpet players, it would be a blast to play those wonderful tunes, and the only way to do that was to start our own band.
The Black Sombrero Brass is based in the Washington area and is made up of long-time professional musicians and friends. We’re trying to recreate the old Tijuana Brass sound as best we can, so our instrumentation is the same as theirs: 2 trumpets, trombone, marimba/vibraphone, guitar, bass, and drums. We hope you enjoy hearing this great old music as much as we enjoy performing it...
OUR NEW CD IS NOW AVAILABLE!
“TIJUANA ROAD TRIP “
Please join the Black Sombrero Brass as we wind our way down to Tijuana,
Mexico, the birthplace of the Tijuana Brass, with songs arranged in a style reminiscent of their very distinctive sound. We’ll pass by the set of TV’s
Secret Agent Man, making a stop on Broadway for a song from Camelot, and go to the movies for Pennies from Heaven and Mrs. Robinson. Then we’ll head down to Brazil for sultry bossa
novas by the legendary Antonio Carlos Jobim. Along the way we’ll catch Icarus at a jazz club and grab a late dinner of Sukiyaki. We’ll swing by Vegas for a
Sinatra tune and then hear the great Vince Guaraldi in an after hours joint. Somehow, we’ll end up in Tijuana and bid farewell with Vaya con Dios. Enjoy the ride and fasten your seat belt!
Now available at CDBaby: http://cdbaby.com/cd/blacksombrero
Thanks for add! I was in a TJB cover band in the late 60's - early 70's call Knights of Brass. Great stuff! You sound great. Take requests ....Brasilia?
It's amazing that you found me on myspace!....let alone you being in a TJB tribute band!....Herb Alpert was the reason why I picked up a trumpet in 4th grade and have played to this day! My daughter is getting married over Labor Day weekend in the D.C. area. Please be sure to let me know of any gigs that you may have around the beginning of Sept. 09. I'll be in the vicinity and would love to hear you guys and possibly jam a bit....thanks for the add...
