ABOUT PRIME BRASS

“Exceptional brass ensemble Prime Brass” (Classic FM)

Cambridge-based ensemble Prime Brass was formed in 1989 by trumpeter Paul Garner. For its first thirteen years Prime Brass appeared predominantly as a quintet, comprising (since 2001) Michel Sedgwick and Paul Garner (trumpets), Guy Llewellyn (horn), Alex Hewins (trombone) and Christopher Lawrence (tuba). Since 2002, however, the ensemble has developed into a regular 10-piece ensemble, and it is in this formation that Prime Brass currently gives most of its concerts.

As well as regular 10-piece and quintet performances, the ensemble expands for a few concerts each year to perform repertoire for symphonic forces or larger. In particular, the players appreciate the opportunity to perform regularly in Ely Cathedral and the Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge. Prime Brass gives an annual recital in King’s Chapel, conducted by the Director of Music at King’s, Stephen Cleobury, with whom the ensemble enjoys a flourishing relationship. These recitals include the addition of the organ, reflecting the ensemble’s exploration of the repertoire for this combination, which has led to performances of works by composers such as Cowell, David, Delerue, Hakim, Koechlin, Langlais, Leitner, Müller-Zürich, Schmidt, Vierne and Wills.

In addition to recitals of its own, Prime Brass enjoys performing with choirs, and has worked with: the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge; the Choir of Ely Cathedral; Cambridge University’s CUMS Chorus; Cambridge Voices; Cambridge Philharmonic Chorus; and Cambridge Chorale. In this combination the ensemble has performed works by Bingham, Blake, Brown, Bruckner, de Massini, Jongen, Patterson, Purcell, Rutter, Rutti, Vaughan Williams, Tomasi and Walton. As a quintet the ensemble has combined with: piano, in works by Burrell and Schickele; saxophone, in the Holcombe concerto; and with orchestra and symphonic wind ensemble in the Hidas concerto.

Prime Brass is also well known for its performances at the lighter end of the musical spectrum, and the ensemble has achieved notable success in family concerts with titles such as ‘Prime Brass at the Circus’, ‘Prime Brass in Space’, and ‘Around the World with Prime Brass’. The ensemble has recorded three CDs: ‘Just a Closer Walk... with Prime Brass’ (1998: quintet); ‘Prime Brass: Blue Rondo’ (2006: quintet & 10-piece, with saxophone), one of Classic FM’s CDs of 2006; and ‘Prime Brass: A Brass Odyssey’ (2009: quintet, 10-piece & symphonic brass).

The members of Prime Brass are:

TRUMPETS:

Michel Sedgwick, Gavin Bowyer, Paul Garner, Shaun Fitzgerald

HORN:

Guy Llewellyn

TROMBONES:

Alex Hewins, Neil George, Gary Davison, Julian Jarvis (bass)

TUBA:

Christopher Lawrence