Scottish and Irish Music Enlivened by Uncommon Instrumentation, Top Notch Arrangements and Remarkable Musicianship
Scottish and Irish Music Enlivened by Uncommon Instrumentation, Top Notch Arrangements and Remarkable Musicianship BRASS LASSIE, a bold new band based in the Twin Cities of St. Paul/Minneapolis, combines traditional tunes, songs and style with dazzling modern horn lines, sparking their own genre of eclectic, remarkable music. 10-member strong, the ensemble performs extraordinary takes on Scottish, Irish and French music, traditional and new, featuring a powerful 4-piece horn section, a terrific rhythm section, fine fiddles, flutes, pipes, vocals and some fabulous step dancing. Smart, joyous horn arrangements by top notch jazz arranger Peter Enblom, plus some great band arrangements from Dr. David Milne. The founder of BRASS LASSIE Laura MacKenzie carefully envisioned this big band for several years. It was realized at last in 2016 with a triumphant summer debut, a great day. In 2017, MacKenzie received a highly competitive Artist Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board to further develop the repertoire for this ensemble concept. Since their debut, BRASS LASSIE has added engaging, exciting new arrangements to every performance, and will be recording their first studio album in Spring, 2018. BRASS LASSIE’s most notable performances have been at the Celtic Junction Arts Center, McNally Smith concert hall (both in St. Paul, MN), at the Minnesota Scottish Fair, the international Vintage Band Festival (Northfield, MN), The Irish Fair of Minnesota, Normandale Lake, and a major stage at the Minnesota State Fair. MEMBERS BRASS LASSIE's members have come together from a broad spectrum of expertise and experience: Traditional music, big bands, show bands, jazz, orchestral, roots and world music, step-dance, and education.
[Show full text]