Brass Evolution

In this episode I chat to Besses player and researcher Steve Hughes about the band performing to Princes and Presidents on their groundbreaking French tour of 1905.

In this episode I chat to banding icon Ray Farr about his research into the Distin Family and their extraodinary impact on the beginnings of the brass band movement. We discuss the groups origins, tenor horn vs. alto saxhorn, missing testpieces and the wonderful array of instruments being performed at the time.

In this episode I chat to researcher and relative of Cora Youngblood Corson, James P Gregory Jnr about her trailblazing and complex life and his ongoing discoveries into her significance in opening doors for women brass musicians. We discuss her enterprising beginnings in Anardarko, her rise to fame, jewel encrusted Euphoniums and much more.

In this episode I chat to David Hirst about the origins of the probably the most famous brass band in the world - Black Dyke. We discuss the early contests, instrumentation, local rivalries and some of the legends of the Queensbury band in the Victorian era.

In this episode I chat to Band Blasts from the Past blogger and postcard collector Jeremy de Korte about his own collection, Australian banding and how these cards and their messages can help us uncover the banding past.Trove - National Library of Australia and partnersThis episode mentions Aboriginal Mission Bands. This podcast acknowledges First Australian peoples as the Traditional Custodians of Australia and their continued connection to land, sea, and culture. Brass Evolution pays respects to the resilience and strength of Ancestors and Elders past, present, and emerging and extends that respect to all First Australian peoples.Support the show

This episode I chat to founding Director of the Shildon Heritage Alliance CIC and author David Reynolds about the lives and entrepreneurial spirit of two men from a pioneering railway town who went on to create some of the brass band movements most powerful and enduring contest marches - George Allen and Thomas Bulch.The Wizard & The Typhoon websiteSupport the show

This episode I chat to Director of Percussion at the RNCM Simone Rebello about the history of percussion in UK brass bands. We talk about the  journey from solitary timekeeper to incredible virtuoso soloists and vast sections, performing on a wonderful variety of instruments, and the compositions that propelled percussion forward.Simone Rebello websiteIf you like the podcast you can support it by leaving a tip or buying a perk - including asking my next guest a question or getting a shoutout via PodInBoxPodcast music is Mephistopheles performed by the Illinois Brass Band Salute to Youth - Gilbert Vinter performed by the CWS Manchester Band Support the show

This episode I chat to Dr Alex Parker and Eleanor McKenzie from Brass Bands England and Heritage Quay about all things Brass Band Archive. We talk about moving 6 transit vans worth of history, problematic silverware, brass band traffic jams and the mystery of the wax cylinders.The Brass Band ArchiveBrass Band Archive BlogArchive Catalogue OnlineSupport the show

In this episode I chat to to the incredible Dr. Joanna Ross Hersey about her research into women brass musicians in American music, routes into the profession, the changing political and social settings, all female bands and their inspiring leaders including Helen May Butler and Cora Youngblood Corson.Joanna Ross Hersey websiteCora Youngblood CorsonComposer Diversity DatabaseEvery episode a portion of the ad revenue is donated to an organisation chosen by our guest - this week its the Athena Brass BandIf you like the podcast you can support it by leaving a tip or buying a perk - including asking my next guest a question or getting a shoutout via PodInBoxPodcast music is Mephistopheles performed by the Illinois Brass Band Support the showSupport the show

In this episode I'm chatting with Gavin Dixon about his research into the G Trombone, discussing its origins, instrument manufacture in the UK and beyond aswell traditionalists and revivalists.Gavin Dixon websiteThe Horniman MuseumArnold MyersSt. Cecilia's Hall Every episode a portion of the ad revenue is donated to an organisation chosen by our guest - this week its the Musicians Benevolent FundIf you like the podcast you can support it by leaving a tip or buying a perk - including asking my next guest a question or getting a shoutout via PodInBoxPodcast music is Mephistopheles performed by the Illinois Brass Band Support the show

In this episode I speak to band member and archivist Robert Fraser about Whitburn Band's exhibition at the Whitburn Community Museum, some band legends and a few interesting discoveries they made along the way.Whitburn Band websiteWhitburn Band YouTubeWhitburn Community MuseumFriends of Whitburn Community MuseumThe Living Memory AssociationEvery episode a portion of the ad revenue is donated to an organisation chosen by our guest - this week its the Whitburn Band.If you like the podcast you can support it by leaving a tip or buying a perk - including asking my next guest a question or getting a shoutout via PodInBoxPodcast music is Mephistopheles performed by the Illinois Brass BandSupport the show

In this episode I speak bandsman and author Chris Ord about his memories and experiences of the Northumberland Miner's Picnic. We chat about band rivalry, the late great Jimmy Shepherd and how to get everyone to be your best mate in the pub on Picnic Day.Every episode a portion of the ad revenue is donated to an organisation chosen by our guest - this week its the Jayess Newbiggin Band.This episode is dedicated to James "Jimmy" ShepherdChris Ord AmazonChris Ord Author FacebookJayess Newbiggin Brass BandWoodhorn MuseumMik Critchlow PhotographyIf you like the podcast you can support it by leaving a tip or buying a perk - including asking my next guest a question or getting a shoutout via PodInBoxPodcast music is Mephistopheles performed by the Illinois Brass BandSupport the show

In this episode I speak to researcher Gavin Holman, the owner of Internet Bandsman's Everything Within discussing how band histories are discovered, recorded and saved for the future. We chat about resources available, first contests and a brass band family taking things to a whole new level.Every episode a portion of the ad revenue is donated to an organisation chosen by our guest – this week it’s IBEWhttp://www.ibew.org.uk/If you like the podcast you can support it by leaving a tip or buying a perk - including asking my next guest a question or getting a shoutout via PodInBoxPodcast music - Mephistopheles performed by the Illinois Brass BandSupport the show