Brass-Beatbox-Breakdown

 Overture for Euphoniums and Tubas     Overture for Euphoniums and Tubas (2015) by Parker Gaims  performed by MGySgt Mark Jenkins, MSgt Matthew Summers, GySgt Ryan McGeorge, and SSgt Hiram Diaz, euphonium MGySgt John Cradler and SSgt Simon Wildman, tuba Parker Gaims is a Washington, D.C. based clarinetist and composer whose compositions have been performed by the United States Marine Band, Northwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble, DePaul University Wind Symphony, Northwestern Clarinet Faculty, DePaul Clarinet Faculty, the Los Angeles Symphonic Winds, pianist Winston Choi, and members of every D.C. service band. The Overture for Euphoniums and Tubas is a piece that I was unfamiliar with until searching for pieces for ensembles that I was unfamiliar with. The amount of character changes is astounding and well composed. I appreciate the warmth and group sound of this type of ensemble and the versatility that the valved instruments allow for, great technical ...

 There has been a great deal of emphasis placed on American and European brass bands and how hip-hop has influenced their modern brass scene. I would be doing a great disservice, however, if I did not address the dominance of Mexican brass bands in this field.  Banda is a genre of regional Mexican music originating from Sinaloa. It features brass instruments, percussion, and clarinets, often with a vocalist. The grooves are often similar to those of European military bands due to the effects of European colonialism and the traditions it brought over.  Banda MS  is one of the hottest banda bands active right now. They are constantly touring and accrue millions of monthly listeners across all streaming platforms. Below are two videos highlights the exhilarating brass playing mixed with smooth vocals.  This first video by Banda MS features hip-hop artist Ice Cube, highlighting an even deeper blending of not both genres but also cultures. The lyrics futher this...

      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.