Skip to main content

Time:

Friday
December, 22, 2023
07:00 PM - 08:15 PM

Location:

W375AB

Category

Professional Chamber Ensemble

Conductor

Conductor Thumb
Gateways Brass Collective

Program

Download

Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

Through dynamic performances and inspirational educational programs, the Gateways Brass Collective inspires artists and audiences of all ages and backgrounds. An ensemble of the Gateways Music Festival, whose mission is to support and connect professional classical musicians of African descent and enlighten and inspire communities through the power of performance, the Brass Collective was founded in 2018 and maintains an active touring schedule of performances, master classes, demonstrations, clinics, and community engagement activities across the United States. In addition to regularly participating in the Gateways Music Festival and maintaining active performance careers, members of the Brass Collective are dedicated educators whose love of music is matched by their dedication, passion, and commitment to community and learning. Each member’s journey to the stage demonstrates perseverance, a love for the art form, and a genuine interest in paving the way for others to succeed in music. Members of the Brass Collective include Courtney Jones, DMA and Herbert Smith, trumpet; Larry Williams, horn; Isrea Butler, DMA, trombone; and Jerome Stover, DMA, tuba. The Brass Collective enjoys a close relationship to distinguished instrument manufacturer Conn-Selmer and works closely with Conn-Selmer’s education division to presents innovative workshops specifically geared towards support pre-professional musicians. Workshop topics “How to Improve Your Practicing,” “Learning to Improvise,” “Audition Success,” among others. To connect with as many fellow musicians and students as possible, the Brass Collective regularly partners with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs); the HBCU Band Directors’ Symposium; the Midwest Clinic International Band, Orchestra and Music Conference; Florida Atlantic University Brass Day and Buffalo State University, to name a few. They are sought-after participants at music festivals across the country, including their home at the Gateways Music Festival, the Fringe Festival, the “GITS Fest” (the Grammys in the School’s festival), and others. Accomplished in multiple genres, individual Brass Collective members have performed with orchestras and big bands, as soloists, on Broadway, on commercial recordings, with indie bands, and more. They have performed with the Count Basie Big Band and Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, New Jersey Symphony, Cab Calloway Orchestra, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Mingus Big Band/ Mingus Dynasty, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, David Byrne, Aretha Franklin, Sharon Jones, and the Dap-Kings, Johnny Mathis and Bernadette Peters, among many others. Individually, their work has also been featured on Netflix, Lifetime Network, CW network, and movie soundtracks and members have been nominated for multiple GRAMMY Awards. The Brass Collective strives to support diverse communities, encourages everyone to be a part of the larger musical discourse, and welcomes opportunities to collaborate with artists from all backgrounds.

Gateways Brass Collective

Conductor's Bio

tbd

Back