Marty Hackleman: Monday YouTube Fix

When I was a kid I had this poster of Marty Hackleman with the Empire Brass up in my room:

One of the great brass quintet albums of all time.

So needless to say, the first time I got to perform with Marty (in a brass quintet that also featured Jens Lindemann, Kevin Gebo and Joe Alessi!) I was over the moon excited.

This recording of Marty performing Richard Strauss's Horn Concerto No. 2 live in 1992 makes me actually laugh out loud in a few places. He is just a stunning musician.

If you haven't heard it already you can find our interview with Marty for The Brass Junkies podcast below the YouTube clip.

You can also find some incredible quotes from two different master classes that Marty did at George Mason here:

• 2010 George Mason University
• 2011 George Mason University

Enjoy this phenomenal performance of the Strauss Horn Concerto No. 2!

This video is about Martin Hackleman live Strauss 2 1992

Alexandra Grot: Monday YouTube Fix

Here is Alexandra Grot performing some Bach live in Munich in 2008.

The flute takes the second most air of any wind instrument and she does a great job of breathing in places that doesn't interrupt the music. This is particularly hard in unaccompanied pieces and she does a great job of modeling it.

Enjoy!

Alexandra Grot /flute/ performs Bach Partita. Recorded in Munich, 18.02.2008

Carol Jarvis: Monday YouTube Fix

Need a little inspiration for better phrasing out of your playing or conducting? I've got you covered.

This is an incredible arrangement of "I Think of You" performed by trombone virtuoso Carol Jarvis.

If I'm being analytical, I love how effortless her playing looks. The ease with which she gets into and out of her high register is textbook.

But this clip is better enjoyed by leaving the analytical cap at home and just enjoying the gorgeous musical storytelling. Just beautiful stuff.

Enjoy!

'I THINK OF YOU' arranged by Russell Garcia, arranged/adapted by Carol Jarvis Trombone: Carol Jarvis www.caroljarvis.com Ensemble: NedSym Lite Filmed for the Lätzsch Trombone Festival: www.trombonefestival.eu

Eastman Wind Ensemble: Bach Toccata and Fugue in D Minor

Here is a clip of the Eastman Wind Ensemble performing Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor live at the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall. This hall is one of the best I've ever played in and I'm sure they were loving it.

Enjoy!

The Eastman Wind Ensemble at Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall

Harry Connick Jr: Monday YouTube Fix

Harry Connick Jr. is one of my musical heroes. He is the consummate showman, a phenomenal composer and arranger, and one of the best piano players in the world. You throw in the fact that he can sing and act and he can make you depressed pretty quickly.

I just performed a fantastic arrangement of this chart by Bryan Kidd with the American Festival Pops Orchestra. I personally think more Christmas tunes should have a New Orleans street beat.

Enjoy!

From the AOL Music Sessions recorded in the Bronx, November 13, 2008

David Cutler: Monday YouTube Fix

David Cutler is a dear friend and a creative genius.  I hope he doesn't read this because it will go to his head but he is one of those people who seems to always being thinking a couple of steps ahead on the creative front.

Here is his version of "Oh Christmas Tree" for prepared piano which he performed many times when he joined Boston Brass every year for the expanded Christmas lineup.  I always looked forward to his solo performances during every gig.  You never quite know what he is going to come up with.

Enjoy!

"Oh Christmas Tree--Why Is There So Much Junk in My Christmas Tree???" AKA "Oh Christmas Tree: Are You Prepared for Christmas????" AKA "Oh Christmas Tree--What Would You Think If I Cut You Down, Made You Into a Piano, and Gently Placed Ping Pong Balls on Your Strings?????"

PROJECT Trio: Monday YouTube Fix

PROJECT Trio is an incredible ensemble that blends a whole lot of musical styles to create their own genre. This clip is a great example of what they do.

I love the creativity of the arrangement juxtaposed with the virtuosity of the articulations at the beginning. They are hard to describe and that is a good start to be successful in today's crowded music business.

Enjoy!

NEW ALBUM IS OUT! Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/instrumental/id865307861 CD Baby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/project8 Aw snap, they're at it again! These guys will jack up anything and make it their own. Rossini was a hot target for us ever since our first trip to to the Black Forrest spa town of BAD WILDBAD, which is of course as awesome as it sounds.

Brian Balmages: Monday YouTube Fix

Here is a recording of one of my wife's favorite pieces for band, "Moscow, 1941" by Brian Balmages. She has done this piece frequently as a guest conductor and I love hearing it every single time.

Brian is an incredibly versatile composer who has written for everything from beginning band to top professional ensembles. During the 25th anniversary season of Boston Brass, we commissioned him to write us a piece and he wrote a wonderful three movement work that has since been performed by the likes of the New York Philharmonic Principal Brass Quintet and others.

Enjoy!

Time of war in Moscow, Russia! The Germans have invaded and are trying to seize the city! Can the forces of Russia's Red Army defend Moscow from Hitler's German Army? Can the Red Army withstand the offense of the Germans? Only one way to find out... in the Battle of Moscow!

Canadian Brass, Boston Symphony and New York Philharmonic: Monday YouTube Fix

In 1989, the Canadian Brass were joined by the principal players of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic for a series of legendary concerts.

I was lucky enough to see this concert when it came to Tanglewood in July of 1989. It was a day that changed my life.

I had recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts. As a part of becoming an Eagle Scout, you get to spend the day with someone who is working in the field you hope to pursue. Upon receiving the request, Chester Schmitz, the tuba player of the BSO, agreed to let me tag along for a day.

Imagine my elation as a 14-year-old when the day he suggested was the Brass Spectacular concert at Tanglewood that would involve the likes of Phil Smith, Joe Alessi, Chuck Dallenbach, Fred Mills, etc! I can still remember getting the phone call from him. I almost dropped the phone.

He very graciously introduced me to almost every one of the players in this video as if he had known me for years. It really was one of those experiences for a young boy that vaulted me forward with enthusiasm for music.

Chester and I have remained friends to this day. I could never repay him for how kind he was to me that day over 25 years ago.

I didn't know this video existed and am ecstatic to be able to witness this lineup again. This is as good as it gets.

Enjoy!

The Canadian Brass : Trompettes : Ronald Romm , Frederic Mills. Cor : David Ohanian. Trombone : Eugene Watts. Tuba : Charles Daellenbach.

Chris Martin: Monday YouTube Fix

Chris Martin is one of the greatest orchestral trumpet players in the world. He is the Principal Trumpet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Here is a great opportunity to hear him as a soloist. He is performing the Arutunian Trumpet Concerto live with the Santa Monica High School Band under the direction of Kevin McKeon.

Enjoy!