©Photo: Daniel D'Ottavio

Canadian Brass

Home
Reviews
Tours
Features

“These are the men who put brass music on the map with their unbeatable blend of virtuosity, spontaneity and humor.”
The Washington Post

With an international reputation as one of the most popular brass ensembles today, Canadian Brass has truly earned the distinction of the world’s most famous brass group.

Friends Chuck Daellenbach and Gene Watts first came together in 1970 to form a brass quintet, a chamber music setting not entirely new, but never before having garnered the success and storied career Canadian Brass would achieve over the next 50 years.

Five tremendous brass musicians — each a virtuoso in his own right — form the legendary Canadian Brass. With five decades under their belts, the ensemble continues to thrill audiences around the world. Their varied repertoire features brass standards as well as a wide-ranging library of original arrangements created especially for them from a variety of different genres. The hallmark of any Canadian Brass performance is entertainment, spontaneity, virtuosity and, most of all, fun – but never at the expense of the music: whatever the style, the music is central and performed with utmost dedication, skill and excellence. Canadian Brass has developed a uniquely engaging stage presence and rapport with audiences.

With a discography of over 130 albums and an extensive worldwide touring schedule, the ensemble has become an important pioneer in bringing brass music to mass audiences, selling well over 2 million albums worldwide. Ambitious touring projects have seen the ensemble travel across Canada, North and South America, Australia, Asia, the Middle East, Russia, and Europe. They were the first brass ensemble from the West to perform in the People’s Republic of China, as well as the first brass group to perform at Carnegie Hall.

Education plays a key role in the story of Canadian Brass and each member is uniquely attuned to training the next generation of players. On their travels around the world, they often pause for masterclasses, more than happy to work with students, young audiences, and professionals alike. Their support of education is clearly viewed also in their outreach and interaction with El Sistema, the acclaimed global music education program founded in Venezuela.

HarrisonParrott is delighted to be arranging international tours across Asia and Australia for Canadian Brass.

Canadian Brass promo trailer © Canadian Brass

“One need not be partial to brass, or even to classical music, to love Canadian Brass. For these famous five are masters not only of music but also of presentation. After 40 years on stage, they’ve got the chops of virtuosos and the deadpan delivery of the best stand-up comics.”

The Plain Dealer

“The Canadian Brass achieve a blend that’s akin to the dark smoothness of aged Scotch whisky, purring out rounded legato lines in which no breath seems to transpire.”

Classics Today