Boston Brass

John Irish, Reporter
The lively Moscow Cheryomushski of Dmitri Shostakovich set the high energy, precise ensemble, and excellent playing of the Boston Brass’ afternoon recital. This award-winning quintet has delighted audiences with their diverse programming and high-energy performances.

As with most of the pieces presented this afternoon, the opening selection was arranged by J. D. Shaw (horn) who skillfully condensed the essence of various original compositions into five voices. Ginastera’s “Malambo” (“Danza Final”) from the Estancia Dances offered a driving tour de force showcasing their rhythmic and dynamic energy. Two movements from String Quartet No. 8 by Shostakovich allowed all to experience both the haunting and the war-like sounds of the Russian master. The string lines of the original version translated into highly technical passages for the entire quintet and were handled expertly. Boston Brass no doubt, has a lot of fun as an ensemble. This was evident in their version of the Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody #2. Comic interaction among the players and deliberate clowning delighted the audience.

An arrangement of The Chicken (originally written for James Brown) reminded me of the music of the great, late, bassist Jaco Pastorius. This selection featured Andrew Hitz on tuba. Bluesly interjections, and solos by the rest of the group, were suited to the style of the piece. The standard, Autumn Leaves, featured a running contrapuntal line and included an up-tempo section, jazz waltz passage, and a brief interlude in 5/4. Shaw displayed his prodigious arranging skills, and was featured as a soloist in a poignant version of Laura. Ed Clough added his own talents to the texture of this standard. The famous blues tune made famous by Count Basie, Alright, Okay, You Win, livened the pace allowing each member of the group to play solo choruses. Especially noteworthy was trumpeter Rich Kelley and his plunger solo.

Not only is the Boston Brass a great instrumental group, but they possess prodigious talents as vocalists as well! We were treated to a five-part, barbershop tune from The Music Man sung to perfection. Benny Golson’s tribute to Clifford Brown, I Remember Clifford, was played on flugelhorn by trumpeter, Jeff Conner who soared through this gorgeous tune. Caravan, by Duke Ellington, in a multi-varied arrangement, closed the concert. Stellar solo playing from Kelley, along with impeccable performances by the entire group brought the audience to its feet. Shaw (horn) endeared himself to this particular crowd by picking up a trumpet and wailing away!

An encore, the old blues tune, Nightrain, got the audience involved snapping their fingers ending the afternoon recital on an exhilarating note. The Boston Brass has been together for 16 years. After all that time it is obvious that they still have a wonderful time making music. The entire concert was performed from memory and will certainly remain in the ears and memories of those fortunate to hear the concert.