London Brass was formed in 1986, for the purpose of promoting the virtuosity and sonority of classical chamber brass music. Many of the founder members already had significant experience in this field of performance through working with the PJBE and so the ensemble was very quick in making its way forward, giving concerts and producing groundbreaking recordings. Between 1987 and 1993 London Brass recorded solely for Teldec (now Warner Classics), and then in 1996 they made their first own label CD, An Evening With London Brass that was taken from a live performance in Germany.
In the mid nineties, a new format was created with the addition of a jazz trombone and trumpet, opening fresh musical marketplaces and giving the group a new direction, while at the same time retaining their classical roots. As a result of this change, composers such as Django Bates, Mike Gibbs, Mark Anthony Turnage, Michael Nyman and Richard Rodney Bennett produced conceptually new works for London Brass. Modern composer maverick, street person and all-round wonderful human being Moondog, aka Louis Hardin also "jammed" with the group and Miles Davis drummer Jack DeJohnette and composer/saxophonist John Surman subsequently collaborated in concert and recording (Free and Equal /ECM), something that would not have been feasible prior to this development.
During this period, London Brass also ran the very successful Festival of Brass Ensembles (directed by Roger Harvey), which gave the opportunity for young school enthusiasts from all over the country to perform and listen to each other at venues such as the Queen Elizabeth Hall and RNCM in Manchester.
London Brass have gone from strength to strength, and over the last two decades they have produced recordings and concerts ranging in repertoire from the 16th century Venetian composer Giovanni Gabrieli through to Freddie Mercury. Their appearances have also been equally varied, and have included venues such as the Lincoln Centre in New York , a Norwegian metal furnace works and even the shade of a mountain tree in the Italian Dolomites!
At home in the capital, London Brass have recently performed at the Albert Hall BBC Proms and also broadcast live around the globe from St Paul 's Cathedral, during H.M. the Queens 2002 Jubilee Celebration Service.
London Brass are as ever, in demand due to their commitment to commissioning new pieces from composers, their open approach, flexibility and willingness to expand the musical arena and potential of brass orchestration. They now record and produce for their own label, London Brass Recordings and currently hold the position of Ensemble in Residence at the Royal College of Music, London.
