One of the Big Easy’s biggest bands joins forces with talented young Durham musicians this week to bring the sound of New Orleans to the city.
The Stooges Brass Band performs at Gala Theatre on Friday, 13 July as part of Brass: Durham International Festival 2012, organised by Durham County Council.
Mixing traditional New Orleans brass with contemporary urban beats, The Stooges have won wide acclaim and have shared the stage with stars including Ray Charles, Mos Def and Jessica Simpson.
They arrive fresh from a three-day residency with Durham Music Service and will be joined on stage for 20 minutes at the beginning of their set by the service’s Durham County Big Band and Little Big Band for the opening of the show, which starts at 7.30pm.
Adrian Biddulph, Durham County Council’s manager of music education and specialist subject inspector for music, said: “I am sure the chance to learn from a band such as The Stooges, who our students would normally only see or hear in recordings, will have a huge impact on their improvisational and performance skills.”
This week’s BRASS programme also sees a performance by leading chamber ensemble Onyx Brass at the 12th Century St Brandon’s Church, Brancepeth on Thursday, 12 July from 7.30pm.
Described as the classiest brass ensemble in Britain, Onyx have appeared at festivals across Europe and the USA and are ensemble-in-residence at Westminster Abbey Choir School and Imperial College, University of London
Meanwhile, budding local musicians step into the spotlight in Newton Aycliffe for a carnival celebration of music, dance and costume.
Organised by Greenfield Community and Arts Centre, the free event sees local people performing alongside professional musicians, including La Banda de le Maria from Spain. Entitled Cutting Loose, it starts at 5.30pm at West Park.
The best street bands from home and abroad will also be performing at village halls and community centres around the county as part of the BRASS 2012 Community Tour.
Following the success of last year’s tour, the number of venues taking part this year has almost doubled.
UK- based Perhaps Contraption bring their massive choral harmonies and jubilant, soaring horns to Shadforth Village Hall on Tuesday, 10 July; Jubilee Hall, West Rainton on Thursday, 12 July; Wellfield Community Centre on Friday, 13 July and Belmont Parish Hall on Saturday, 14 July.
La Banda de la Maria will be at Pelton Community Centre on Tuesday, 10 July, Howden-le-Wear Community Centre on Wednesday, 11 July, and Frosterley Village Hall on Saturday, 14 July.
Adventurous Dutch band Brasta perform Middleton-in-Teesdale Village Hall on Thursday, 12 July and the Hazlewell Centre, Haswell on Friday, 13 July.
Funky Style Brass take their extravagant costumes and showmanship to Blackhall Community Centre on Friday, 13 July and St Stephen’s Centre, Stanley on Saturday, 14 July.
On Sunday, 15 July, Jazz Combo Box perform at The Brockwell Centre, Pelton Fell, The Pink Puffers take to the stage at Lanchester Community Centre and Oompah Brass are at Whorlton Village Hall.
Find out more about BRASS events by visiting www.brassfestival.co.uk or follow:
twitter.com/DurhamBrass
facebook.com/BRASS.DurhamInternationalFestival
youtube.com/user/brassfestivaldurham