Brass-Beatbox-Breakdown

      A large focus of this blog is looking at ensembles that have married together brass bands with hip hop elements, primarily rap artists. On occasion, however, some ensembles draw from the hip-hop influence without calling upon extra help.  The Broken Brass Ensemble  covers Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' Thrift Shop. This is a prime example of why the brass family works so well with voice, both in a historical aspect of playing with choirs, but also in regard to the modern sense, with hip hop and other pop stars. Each time I listen, I can hear all of the lyrics just as clear as if Macklemore were saying them himself. This style is a great reference for a brass player trying to mimic the voice, showing them how to match articulation, timbre, and general effect that the voice has. 

 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1wEj6zmxbWBGY5oQsHZnFm?si=32a7527b3aee4a5b  da Blechhauf'n da Blechhauf'n or The Brass Heap in English, is an Austrian brass ensemble consisting of seven members that started as a non-profit ensemble, which turned into a profession for each of the members. The crew plays a mix of traditional music along with more modern renditions, mixing vocals and brass together.  Reinhold Bieber (trombone, bass trumpet), Philipp Fellner (trombone), Christoph Geza Haider-Kroiss (trumpet, flugelhorn), Bernhard Holl (trombone, styrian harmonica), Alexander Krenn (trumpet,  flugelhorn), Albert Wieder (helicon tuba), Christian Wieder (trumpet, flugelhorn) Gabriela's Song - 2009 Mei Auto S auft So Va Wia i - 2012 Broken Brass Ensemble The Broken Brass Ensemble is a new-orleans style brass band that is based out of the Netherlands and does extensive touring throughout Europe. As there is a similar theme today, they mix vocals with brass playing. Joël Bo...

 Alexander Alyabiev     Published in 1847, Alyabiev wrote what is considered one of the first works composed for the brass quintet, predating even the likes of Ewald. This piece is composed with two main ideas, a meloncholy opening and closing, with a more energetic aleggro middle section, that is almost playful. It perfectly highlights the different colors capable of the ensemble and lays a strong groundwork for many pieces of standard repertoire to come later. Viktor Grishin       Grishin's Rondo for Brass Quintet is his only composition for the Brass Quintet. His background as a percussionist shines through in the character of this piece. This piece is full of rhythmic ostinatos with sharp interjections, often with varying rhythmic complexity. Many of the instruments are used percusively in nature with short strike utilzing the many timbres available on each instrument. The piece calls for many layers to be woven together carefully with great care from t...

 MOOP MAMA      Germany has had an influx of new bands that mix brass band music, which the country is very familiar with, alongside a newer style of spoken word and/or rap music.     One of the leading bands on the scene for this particular blend of old and new is MOOP MAMA , a ten-piece unit based out of Munich, Bavaria, Germany. The group features two percussionists, two saxophonists, two trombones, two trumpets, and a sousaphone player with a frontman rapper. The group often collaborates with other German rappers or spoken-word artists outside of their typical group.     Oftentimes, the band is primarily playing accompaniment and hits to emphasize the phrase structure that the vocalist is laying down. On ocassion the band takes the spotlight and gets featured. In live performances peices are often extended to open the floor for improvisatory solos that really highlight the ability of each of the horn players.         ...