Runs Friday 7- Sunday 16 July – First selection of shows go on sale • North East Stars of the West End Matt Corner (Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys) and Kate Graham (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Billy Elliot) perform swing versions of songs from Broadway. • Experience early surround sound in Durham Cathedral with the Cathedral Choir and His Majesty’s Sagbutts and Cornetts. • BRASS celebrates 100th anniversary of Dizzy Gillespie with American jazz trombonist Jiggs Whigham and the BBC Big Band. • First Festival under new Festival Director Paul Gudgin. • New Summer School for young brass musicians to seasoned professionals to be held alongside BRASS Festival for first time. • Tickets now on sale for selection of BRASS 2017 shows and events at www. brassfestival.co.uk Durham’s popular BRASS Festival returns for its 11th year celebrating the best of brass from soul to jazz to traditional and classical across 10 days in one of the North East’s most stunning cities. BRASS Festival tickets are now on sale for a selection of events, available at www. brassfestival.co.uk
The weeklong festival, organised by Durham County Council, showcases the broadest possible range of brass music, from Broadway to 17th Century Venice. The festival also brasses up some Northern Soul while hosting the BBC Big Band’s tribute to jazz trumpet legend, Dizzy Gillespie. North East stars of the West End Matt Corner (Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys) and Kate Graham (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Billy Elliot) join the Scottish Swing Orchestra and the BRASS Broadway Chorus showcasing the region’s best musical theatre talent for swing versions of great Broadway songs from Anything Goes, Hairspray, Chicago, West Side Story and many more.
Venetian Surround Sound brings together Durham Cathedral Choir with early music virtuosos His Majesty’s Sagbutts & Cornetts to perform a tailor made concert programme designed to the acoustics and layout of Durham Cathedral. Experience early surround sound in a thrilling programme of Gabrielli, Lassus and Praetorius evoking the magical sounds of St Mark’s Venice in the 17th Century. Durham’s BRASS Festival 2017 BRASS celebrates the 100th anniversary of one of the greatest jazz trumpeters of all time, Dizzy Gillespie. The legendary BBC Big Band pays homage to his contribution to jazz, alongside that of other great brass players and band leaders from Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey to Maynard Fergusson and Quincy Jones.
Two great North East traditions Brass Bands and Choral Societies come together on Saturday 15 July in a spectacular new version of William Walton’s thrilling Belshazzar’s Feast. The concert will feature the Reg Vardy Band and a special Festival Chorus in a unique celebration of brass and voices. A brass festival wouldn’t be a brass festival without a top level traditional brass band and this year’s BRASS Festival presents the world’s best brass band: The Cory Band continues to dominate the world of traditional brass having become the first band in history to win the European, British National, British Open and Brass in Concert titles in a single year. They bring the best traditional brass band music which took them all the way to the top of the contest tree.
BRASS 2017’s commitment to inspiring a new generation of young brass players in the North East includes not just performing in schools throughout the Festival week, but also putting instruments directly into their hands through the Big BRASS Bus tour which goes on the road around the North East in July. Growing Durham’s reputation as the place for brass musicians to congregate, learn, show off and have fun, 2017 sees the first ever Big Band Summer School from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 July. Led by American jazz trombonist Jiggs Whigham and members of the BBC Big Band, this intensive 3 day big band summer school for young, intermediate and advanced players will focus on the music of the great brass big band leaders. This is a chance for players of all ages and stages to get involved and be at the heart of one of the UK’s leading celebrations of brass music and players.
Durham’s BRASS Festival Director Paul Gudgin said, “We’re delighted to announce the return of BRASS for 2017. “The festival has become known not only for offering great music and incredible entertainment, but also as a commissioner of new and exciting works and this year is no exception. “We’re incredibly excited by this year’s new works and the return of some old friends, all of which continue the tradition of brass music in County Durham, but ensure there is something for everyone to enjoy.” Steve Howell, head of culture and sport, said: “Unbelievably we are into our eleventh year of BRASS in Durham, always bringing the very best of a broad range of brass music from around the world to our wonderful city. “Once again this year we have an absolutely outstanding line-up of international and local musicians. “And once again BRASS will show off our stunning County, with performances everywhere from Gala Theatre and Durham Cathedral in Durham City to a variety of local parks around the County.” www.brassfestival.co.uk
