Most ambitious project yet
WE ARE THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE OUR NEWEST AND MOST AMBITIOUS PROJECT YET!
With funding from the BBC Performing Arts Fund we will be working with three artists of international acclaim to produce three unique and contrasting pieces to be added to the band’s repertoire.
Our composers for the project will be jazz supremo Paula Gardiner, South African born trumpet legend Claude Deppa and Wonderbrass’ own musical director and multi-instrumentalist Rob Smith.
Each commissioned composer has been selected to contrast and complement each others’ styles of music making and to enable Wonderbrass to further develop its existing and extensive back catalogue of tunes.
We’re aiming to explore new musical avenues; developing our playing styles as individual musicians and as a collective.
Paula Gardiner
Flautist, guitarist and double bassist Paula is RWCMD’s Head of Jazz Studies as well as a renowned performer and composer.
Paula places a great deal of emphasis on live performances and frequently plays festivals and jazz nights across the country. She is Honorary President of Women in Jazz and a founder member of Wales Jazz Composer.
Claude Deppa
South African born trumpet player Claude Deppa is at the forefront of the African Jazz scene Claude has developed his own three special projects and these are African Jazz Explosion, Horns Unlimited and Five Funky Fellas.
He has worked with Wonderbrass previously is well remembered by some of the long-standing members of the band. We’re excited to see what he has in store for us this time!
Rob Smith
Founder and musical director of Wonderbrass Rob Smith specialises in community music tutoring as well as composing and performing across a broad range of musical styles.
Writing music for dance, film, television, radio, theatre and musical groups spanning many genres, Rob has worked alongside some of the most prolific names in music.
He is the Senior Lecturer in Popular Music at Cardiff’s Atrium.
This is such a fantastic opportunity for people from different musical and social backgrounds to learn, to develop and to diversify their own musicality, as well as a chance to spread our music into the wider community through our performances and recordings.”
Rob Smith, Musical Director
Where will Wonderbrass showcase the new pieces?
The pieces will be showcased at Wonderbrass’ Summer Party this year, so make sure you keep an eye on our website, Facebook and Twitter for more info when the venues and dates are confirmed. In the mean time the band will be working hard to create, learn and play the new music.
BBC Performing Arts Fund
The BBC Performing Arts Fund is a charity committed to developing new performing arts talent from across the UK. Since it’s inception in 2003 the Fund has awarded over £4m to aspiring musicians and talented performing arts individuals and community groups. To learn more about what the Fund does and how to apply please visit the website www.bbc.co.uk/performingartsfund
If you need any help or have any questions about any of the above then please contact the BBC Performing Arts Fund team on 0161 836 0303 or e-mail performingartsfund@bbc.co.uk
