Cardiff-based jazz giants Wonderbrass reveal the origins and growth of their 25-strong musical troupe
“... we play anything from Dirty
Dozen tunes and ska classics to Lady Gaga and Calvin
Harris”
roundup
Cardiff-based jazz giants Wonderbrass reveal the origins and growth of their 25-strong musical troupe
WHAT’ S ON OUR RADAR THIS MONTH.
Q & A
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How did Wonderbrass first come about? Wonderbrass began in 1992 as a series of Pontypridd-based jazz workshops run by our musical director and composer Doctor Rob Smith. As part of the Valleys Live initiative that year, our first performances, dating from July 1992, were in small communities such as Gurnos Estate, Merthyr, and similar estates around the valleys.
What’ s so special about being a member of Wonderbrass? Being in Wonderbrass is a fantastic experience: we get to work with some of the biggest names in music for collaborative projects, learning about different types of music and developing our playing styles. We travel across the UK and play alongside( and sometimes with) many high-profile musicians at prestigious events. Members have the chance to develop their musicality and performance style in a fun and supportive environment, and then we can go out and actually use what we’ ve learned in professional situations, sometimes in front of huge audiences. It’ s a chance to have some once-in-a-lifetime experiences and to meet and work with people you’ d never have crossed paths with under any other circumstances. The band’ s membership includes a wide range of ages, professions and levels of musical ability and training. The level of dedication to the band from members is genuinely amazing.
How has the group progressed over the years? From a series of funded workshops based in Pontypridd, Wonderbrass has now become an internationally acclaimed, successful, evolving, dynamic group involved in huge musical events like Brecon Jazz, Durham Brass Festival and the 2012 Cultural Olympiad. We work with international artists, have produced seven albums and play regularly at many different kinds of events all year round.
What can audiences expect from a Wonderbrass show? You can expect anything from a Wonderbrass show; it’ s unpredictable but always an incredible amount of fun. The players just pour so much energy into performances because we love doing it – we play anything from Dirty Dozen tunes and ska classics to Lady Gaga and Calvin Harris. There’ s always dancing, laughing and passion wherever we play
This month catch Wonderbrass performing live at Blysh Festival, Cardiff Carnival and Brecon Jazz Festival. Info: www. wonderbrass. org. uk
“... we play anything from Dirty
Dozen tunes and ska classics to Lady Gaga and Calvin
Harris”
SEAN LOCK St David’ s Hall, Cardiff Fri 20 Sep Tickets: £ 22.50 Info: 029 2087 8500 www. stdavidshallcardiff. co. uk
KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES Cardiff University Students Union Thurs 3 Oct Tickets: £ 13.50 Info: 029 2078 1400 www. cardiffstudents. com
TOM ODELL Cardiff University Students Union Sat 12 Oct Tickets: £ 12 adv Info: 029 2078 1400 www. cardiffstudents. com
JAMIE CULLUM St David’ s Hall, Cardiff Thurs 31 Oct Tickets: £ 37.50 Info: 029 2087 8500 www. stdavidshallcardiff. co. uk
STEREOPHONICS Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff Sun 24 Nov Tickets: £ 35 Info: 029 2022 4488 www. motorpointarenacardiff. co. uk
JOOLS HOLAND Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff Thurs 19 Dec Tickets: £ 40.75 Info: 029 2022 4488 www. motorpointarenacardiff. co. uk
THE NUTCRACKER St David’ s Hall, Cardiff Thurs 19-Tue 24 Dec Tickets: £ 15.50 Info: 029 2087 8500 www. stdavidshallcardiff. co. uk
BUZZ 06