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The Guardian
| Mardi Brass: | |
| Richard Hammond | - trumpets |
| Edward Maxwell | - trumpets |
| Jonathan Hassan | - horn |
| Adam Woolf | - trombones |
| Jeffrey Miller | - tubas and bass trombone |
Mardi Brass is a versatile and dynamic brass quintet founded in 1992 by former students of the Royal College of Music and is dedicated to expanding the musical experience and knowledge of its audiences, through a combination of entertaining presentation and innovative programming.
The ensemble performs music spanning five centuries, from the Renaissance to jazz. Unlike most brass quintets, Mardi Brass use only music composed or arranged specifically for the group. They have given recitals all over Britain, thrilling audiences with their unique blend of music and humour. Performance venues include London's Purcell Room and the Edinburgh Fringe, and they have toured the UK and the Channel Islands.
Mardi Brass also offers a unique interactive children's workshop entitled Jurassic to Jazz - A Brass Player's Journey Through Musical Time which traces the evolution of the brass family in a fun and informative way. The workshop features hands-on experience for the children, giving them the opportunity to see, hear, touch, and play a wide variety of instruments. It has been performed in schools in London, Scotland, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Yorkshire, and the Channel Islands to much acclaim from teachers and pupils alike. Jurassic to Jazz has also been adapted by special request for several of the group's concert recitals. Other programs include The Full Monteverdi and Soundforce, a musical makeover show. In addition, Mardi Brass have recently developed a child-friendly family recital program which allows the very young to experience live music while still appealing to their parents and older siblings.
Mardi Brass have performed Jurassic to Jazz and a programme entitled Baroque to Blues, at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and made an appearance on BBC 2's Edinburgh Nights, playing for the Perrier Comedy Award presentation. They have been featured on Radio 3, Radio Scotland, BBC Southern Counties, Radio Devon and Radio W.M. They have also made a cameo appearance on Panorama on BBC 1, playing at a Royal function.
In addition to their recitals and educational work, Mardi Brass provides music for a wide variety of occasions including weddings and other ceremonial functions, as well as corporate functions and parties. The quintet specialises in composing and arranging music to meet the needs of each specific occasion. They regularly perform ceremonial music for the graduation ceremonies of large institutions such as City University, and in 1993 they played at Classic FM's first birthday celebrations. They have also performed at the Royal Charity Gala Preview of the Grosvenor House Art and Antiques Fair, in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal and Commander Lawrence.
The members of Mardi Brass have played for many of Britain and Europe's finest ensembles, including: * the Philharmonia Orchestra * the BBC National Orchestra of Wales * the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden * English National Ballet * English Touring Opera * the Orchestra of Scottish Opera * English Baroque Soloists * the Bournemouth Sinfonietta * the Athens Chamber Orchestra * the Royal Scottish National Orchestra * His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts
Richard Hammond (trumpets) was born in Hampshire in 1969. He read music at City University, London, receiving trumpet lessons at the Guildhall School of Music with Andrew Mitchell and Gerry Ruddock. He graduated in 1990, winning the Mercer Prize for Outstanding Performance. In July 1990, Richard represented the United Kingdom in the European Music for Youth prize held at the South Bank, London. In September 1990 he won a year's scholarship to study at The Royal College of Music, where he was awarded the David Mason prize for Orchestral Trumpet Playing. Richard has toured with the London Arts Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. In 1992 he appeared as a trumpet- playing monk in an episode of ITV's Ruth Rendell Mystery, has appeared on a BBC Young Musician of the Year trailer, and recently performed on the soundtrack of a forthcoming ITV childrens' series. He is an extra with the Philharmonia Orchestra and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, has appeared with the Athens Chamber Orchestra, Travelling Opera, English National Ballet and London City Ballet, and has toured with Carmen Jones, Scrooge and The Music Man. He has played in Sondheim's Passion in the West End, and has played in several shows in Regents Park Open Air Theatre. He teaches trumpet at two central London prep schools. Richard is a keen supporter of Southampton Football Club and holds a private pilot's licence. Richard leaps over small buildings and outruns speeding trains in his spare time.
Edward Maxwell (trumpets) was born in Birmingham in 1967. He read music at Sussex University, receiving trumpet lessons at the Guildhall. In 1990 he gained a place at The Royal College of Music. He has toured with the London Arts Orchestra, and appeared on BBC2 in a Royal Charity Gala Concert featuring Jose Carreras. In 1994 he played the solo trumpet part in Handel's aria Let the bright Seraphim with the soprano Gill Gomez, conducted by Sir Neville Marriner. Edward has played in a pantomime (Jack and the Beanstalk) and has toured with The Music Man. He has played with the National Festival Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall, London Palladium, and is a regular performer in the Buxton Opera House festivals. He regularly plays the natural trumpet in 18th century costume at Hampton Court Palace and has performed at the Tunbridge Wells Georgian Festival. Other natural trumpet work has included appearances with the Brook Street Band, The 18th Century Concert Orchestra, The Carolinian Consort, and the Britten-Pears Baroque Orchestra. In the field of contemporary music he has performed several times for Radio 3 and has recorded compact discs with Cambridge New Music Players and with Ixion. His teaching commitments include the University of Surry Roehampton and several schools. Edward is a passionate supporter of Aston Villa, rides a big motorbike and once jumped out of an aeroplane (or was he pushed?). Eddie is a proud (and rather tired) father of two sons, with one more child on the way.
Jonathan Hassan (horn) was born in Reading in 1969 and studied at the Royal College of Music. He has played in the West End in West Side Store and toured with West Side Story, Oklahoma! Great Expectations and Singing in the Rain. He is currently second horn with English Touring Opera and an extra with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. He has also been an extra with the Bournemouth Sinfonietta and has played with the Athens Chamber Orchestra. He has recorded a number of TV soundtracks including Vanity Fair. Jon recently completed a trial for second horn with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and regularly plays in Les Miserables in the West End. As a horn teacher he is a member of staff at St. Paul's Cathedral School and the University of Surry Roehampton. Jonathan drives a fast car but dislikes football.
Adam Woolf (trombones) joined Mardi Brass in 2001 and is the youngest member of the group. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music from 1993-1997 and during this time developed a keen interest in chamber music of all types from 17th century trio sonatas through to contemporary works for electronics and brass ensemble and jazz standards. Shortly after leaving the RAM Adam began freelancing with orchestras such as the Bournemouth Sinfonietta and New London Soloists. Adam now records and tours frequently as principal trombone with Sir John Eliot Gardner's orchestras, freelances with several chamber groups, big bands, and orchestras and is member of the pioneering group His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts. During his occasional stops in the UK Adam plays an active role in the promotion of brass music, home-made pasta, and Indian cuisine. Adam is an ardent supporter of Fuller's brewery.
Jeff Miller (tubas & bass trombone) was born in 1968 among the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. He received a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music, near Washington, D.C. Whilst a student at Shenandoah he was the winner of the institute's concerto competition and subsequently appeared as featured soloist with the conservatory orchestra and the symphonic wind ensemble. Jeff then relocated to Manhattan's Mannes College of Music, where he earned a Master of Music degree in Tuba (yes, there is such a thing). His tutors have included Stephen Johns of the New York City Opera, David Fedderly of the Baltimore Symphony, and David Taylor, New York bass trombonist extraordinaire. Jeff was a founding member of the Encore Brass Quintet, winners of the 1993 New York Brass Conference chamber music competition and joined Mardi Brass in 1997. Other performing experience includes a variety of orchestras in the US and UK, assorted bass trombone outings in musicals and big bands, and a few presumably legal experiences with string chamber groups. He has trialed on tuba and cimbasso with Scottish National Opera, and has played in Chicago both on tour and in the West End. He maintains an active interest in the way societies use their trash to express themselves, which has led to participation in Liquid Didj, a CD where he plays an 11-foot graduated sewer pipe, among other things. He is now happily domesticated and living with his wife Ellie (a professional violinist), daughter Alice, son Oscar, and a large collection of tubas. Jeff owns 6 Mr Potato Heads. He thinks that a football is oval-shaped.
The Guardian