BRASS BAND of BATTLE CREEK

• Make Me Smile (Chicago)

"[The BBBC] demonstrates an easy facility with a broad range of styles... The combination of high-quality brass and 70s-80s nostalgia makes this an album that is well-worth a listen".

Robert Bruns, Pan Pipes [Winter 2018]

"Many of the people [in the Brass Band of Battle Creek] are world-renowned artists... The playing is very good.”

Kilpatrick, American Record Guide [November/December 2017]

“[the Brass Band of Battle Creek] brings considerable technical prowess to play in the service of music … Michael J. Garasi leads everything with enthusiasm, whether offering swing, show tunes, pop or dance music, marches or even a touch of the Dixieland sound... There is plenty of energy in evidence, and the band’s overall sound is a fine and well-balanced one... the recording is a fine example of the skill of these Michigan players and will be a treat for band fanciers who may be unfamiliar with this particular ensemble.”

Mark J. Estren, InfoDad [July 2017]

"Live in Concert gives occasion to glance back to a more happy and meaningful past. What better way to celebrate this music than to turn to the snappy rhythms of the Brass Band of Battle Creek. Recommended."

Christie Grimstad, ConcertoNet [June 2017]

Over the last 27 years the Brass Band of Battle Creek (BBBC) has established itself as one of the premier brass/percussion ensembles in the world. Through a wonderful relationship with its local audience and the generous support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation the band has seen its membership grow to include some of the finest brass/percussion performers in the United States and Europe. The band has twice performed with legendary trumpet soloist Doc Severinsen. The BBBC is best known for its ability to expertly perform many styles of music. From swing, to brass band classics, orchestral transcriptions, show tunes, pop selections, dance music, marches and dixieland the BBBC will wow you with its stunning energy, power and technical virtuosity. In addition to the performances by the Brass Band of Battle Creek, a primary goal of the band is to provide hands on education to students. The band works with area schools before each  performance to increase their knowledge of brass band music and increase their technique through various methods. Since 2010 they have provided educational opportunities to the local schools impacting over 2,000 area students each year.

Michael J. Garasi is the Principal Conductor of the internationally acclaimed professional Brass Band of Battle Creek (Michigan) and a faculty member of The North Broward Preparatory School in Coconut Creek, FL. For eight successful seasons, he was the Music Director and Principal Conductor of the professional Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra. Under his baton, the FLSO became a significant profile in Central Florida. Garasi has also held the positions of Music Director/Conductor for the Treasure Coast Symphony and the Broward Symphony Orchestra, and he was the guest conductor for five concerts with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. For seven holiday seasons, he conducted the Epcot Candlelight Processional Orchestra and 200-voice choir. In 2015 he conducted the American Philharmonic in a video project called Virtual Symphony for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s Anthem of the Seas.

[ bbbc.net ]

BBBC PERSONNEL

Cornet, Flugelhorn: Jens Lindemann, Chris Jaudes, Stephen Jones, Tony Kadleck, Scott Thornburg, Richard Kelley, Leonard Foy, Robert White, Ken Bauman, Ed Zentera, Rex Richardson, Jonathan Challoner, Amy McCabe, John Daniel

Tenor Horn: Owen Farr, Martin Armstrong, Lisa Bontrager, Philip Randell

Euphonium: Steven Mead, Ben Pierce

Baritone: Demondrae Thurman, Gail Robertson, Mark Carlson

Trombone: Scott Hartman, Tony Baker, Mark Frost, Marshall Gilkes

E-Flat Tuba: Marty Erickson, Les Neish

CC Tuba: Phil Sinder, Dave Zerkel, Charles Villarrubia

Percussion: Alison Shaw, John Beck, Dave Coash, Dave Hardman, Jonathan Ovalle, John H. Beck

Keyboard: Terry Lower, Ron Neuman

Guitar/Bass Guitar: Al Ayob, Ed Fedewa

Vocals: Daniel Alan


  Vehicle (Peterik – arr. Gray)
Demondrae Thurman, vocals; Al Ayoub, guitar

The Water of Tyne (arr. Harper)
Steve Mead, euphonium; Chris Jaudes, cornet

Funiculi, Funicula Rhapsody (Denza;  arr. Garasi)

Jamaica Farewell (arr. D.Wilson–Gray)
John Challoner, trumpet; Tony Baker, trombone

Incantation and Dance (Chance; arr. Henderson, Gray)

Children of Sanchez (Mangione; arr. Gray)
Al Ayoub, guitar; Rex Richardson, flugelhorn/trumpet; Marshall Gilkes, trombone

Crescent Moon (Block/Petit)
Rich Kelley, vocals/flugelhorn; Terry Lower, piano; John H. Beck, drums; Marty Erickson, tuba

Make Me Smile (Pankow; arr. Sharp)
Al Ayoub, guitar

Saturday In The Park (Lamm; arr. Sharp)
Daniel Alan, vocals

If You Leave Me Now (Cetera; arr. Sharp)
Daniel Alan, vocals

Hard To Say I’m Sorry / Get Away (Cetera/Foster; arr. Sharp)
Daniel Alan, vocals; Rex Richardson, flugelhorn; Chris Jaudes, trumpet; Tony Kadleck, trumpet; Gail Robertson, baritone; Ron Newman, keyboards; Rich Kelley and Demondrae Thurman, back up vocals

Beginnings (Lamm; arr. Gray)
Daniel Alan, vocals; Ed Fedewa, bass; Tony Baker, trombone; Rich Kelley, trumpet; Jens Lindemann, trumpet; Al Ayoub, guitar; Rich Kelley and Demondrae Thurman, back up vocals

25 or 6 to 4 (Lamm; arr. Sharp)
Daniel Alan, vocals; Al Ayoub, guitar; Tony Kadleck, trumpet; David Hardman, drums
 



MSR Classics