BUENA PARK, CA (January 13, 2004) — "The enthralling sound of a brass choir… programs that feature virtuosic musicianship, masterful interpretations and flashes of humour… repertoire that encompasses Bach to blues – all these ingredients make the Canadian Brass the world's leading brass ensemble.

These are the men who put brass music on the map: with their unbeatable blend of virtuosity, spontaneity and humour, they brighten the rosters of concert halls, international festivals and orchestra series throughout the world. Their numerous recordings, frequent television appearances and tireless efforts in the realm of music education have resulted in vast new audiences for the Art of the Canadian Brass."

Canadian Brass Members

Joe Burgstaller, Trumpet — When he joined Canadian Brass (in 2001), Josef Burgstaller was North America's busiest trumpet soloist, performing over 50 solo concerts every season. He has performed and taught in 48 states, 21 countries and hundreds of cities throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. Joe has recorded for a dozen labels, including his solo CD The Virtuoso Trumpet.

When Joe joined the Brass, he was one of the all-time most popular soloists at Community Concerts (a network boasting Jascha Heifetz and Van Cliburn as alumni). As a Yamaha Artist, Joe reached upwards of 7,000 students every solo season, and has appeared at over 60 universities, conservatories and colleges. Joe was also a member of NYC's Meridian Arts Ensemble, and with the group received the ASCAP Adventurous Programming Award (over the Kronos Quartet) and recorded several of his own compositions and arrangements. Gramophone Magazine heralded Joe's original work Lullaby as "an understated gem."

Thanks to his early training in jazz and his later classical training, Joe has enjoyed a wide and varied crossover career ranging from NYC's Knitting Factory and CBGB's to Amsterdam's Bimhuis, as well as recordings with Dweezil Zappa and with the CB a recent Top 30 version of "The Little Drummer Boy" featuring Joe on flugelhorn and piccolo trumpet. Joe began the cornet in Chicago at age six, by twelve was soloing with area bands and jazz clubs, and by fifteen was the youngest professional in the Virginia Opera Orchestra. He studied at Arizona State University (with David Hickman), and in 2003 was awarded ASU's Inaugural "Distinguished Alumnus Award" (2002 had brought the inaugural "Outstanding Alumnus Award" from Eastern Music Festival).

Joe lives in New York City with his wife, Cuban violinist Inalvys Paris; his immediate family lives throughout Virginia, and his extended family resides throughout his parents' native Austria.

Joe Burgstaller plays on a Yamaha Xeno YTR-8335G B^b Trumpet. Joe also plays on a YTR-9830 Piccolo Trumpet, a YFH-6310Z Flugelhorn, a YTR-9610 E^b/D Trumpet, and a YTR-936G Custom Rotary Trumpet.

Stuart Laughton, Trumpet — performance career had a rather auspicious beginning – he was a founding member, at age 19, of the Canadian Brass. "In the early days, no one wanted to know what a brass quintet was. We created an audience (and a repertoire) by performing hundreds of concerts in schools. I joined Canadian Brass right out of high school (whereas the others had completed university and were already thinking of a life outside a symphony orchestra), so when Philadelphia's Curtis Institute accepted my application I felt that I owed it to myself to attend."

Immediately following his tenure at Curtis, Claudio Abbado appointed Stuart Principal Trumpet at La Scala Opera House in Italy. Stuart subsequently returned to Canada where he began a family and developed an impressive career. He is of course well known throughout North America as a successful trumpet soloist, having performed in many of the venues frequented by Canadian Brass.

Along with his own performing skills, Stuart has made a significant contribution to the performing world by establishing Opening Day Recordings (www.openingday.com), a label that has given many fine Canadian classical artists an opportunity to be heard on an international stage. Stuart lives in Burlington, Ontario with his wife and their three children.

Stuart Laughton plays on a Yamaha Xeno YTR-8335RG B^b Trumpet. Stuart also plays on a YTR-9830 Piccolo Trumpet, a YFH-9310Z Flugelhorn, a YTR-9610 E^b/D Trumpet, and a YTR-936G Custom Rotary Trumpet.

Jeff Nelsen, French horn — Joined the Canadian Brass in the summer of 2000. Age 30 at that time, he is the same age as the quintet. He was born near Edmonton, Alberta, into a family that owned a pig farm and made plenty of music – his parents, Ron and Diane Nelsen as opera singers, his sisters Lisa, a freelance flutist in England, and Suzanne, a bassoonist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Jeff studied piano and French horn as a child. "I chose the horn because it played the opening theme of Little House on the Prairie," he admits. After a three-year break to play sports, he threw himself into music again as a university student. When he toured with McGill University Orchestra and performed at Carnegie Hall, he was hooked.

The energetic Jeff Nelsen has been a member of the Montreal, Vancouver, and Winnipeg Symphony orchestras on fourth horn and has played with most of Canada's major orchestras, including Edmonton, Calgary, National Arts Center, and Canadian Opera Company orchestras. He has been on faculty with four Canadian Universities and has toured with many pop musicians including Michael Bolton, Barry Manilow, and Donny Osmund and performed major musicals, movie soundtracks, and big band as well as the classical repertoire.

Jeff turned down the first chair position in the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in order to join the Canadian Brass. And he brings more than musical magic to the Canadian Brass. He is an enthusiastic magician, and often adds touches of illusionary art to performances.

Jeff Nelsen plays on a gold plated YHR-667VS Yamaha Horn.

Gene Watts, Trombone — is the original creator behind the Canadian Brass. When the idea came to him in 1970, he had already carved out an orchestral career with orchestras in North Carolina, San Antonio and Milwaukee. Gene came to Toronto because Seiji Ozawa handpicked him for the principal trombone position in the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Soon he met Chuck Daellenbach (tuba) and the two set out to create a new model for brass quintets, which has been widely emulated but not yet matched.

Gene's life is steeped in music. He grew up in a musical family in Sedalia, Missouri, where he listened to mostly dance bands and sat in with local jazz groups. He financed his music studies at the University of Missouri in Columbia with his Dixieland band, the Missouri Mudcats. Gene further developed his lucid, elegant style during studies at the New England Conservatory in Boston, and his love for music expanded from baroque and classical to the newest sounds in concert music and jazz. His alma mater recently awarded him an honorary doctorate in music.

The Watts philosophy of music has guided the Canadian Brass for almost 30 years. His intuition often shapes the group's repertoire, and on stage his quick wit plays off Chuck's as they work the microphones to the delight of audiences. Gene shares his life-long interest in meditation with the group, keeping down stress levels through months of touring. He lives in Toronto with filmmaker Barbara Sweete.

Gene Watts plays on a new Yamaha Xeno trombone.

Chuck Daellenbach, Tuba — and his tuba have added music, imagination and humor to the Canadian Brass ever since the group began in 1970. The warm and commanding bass sounds of his gold-plated Yamaha tuba are the bedrock of the group's repertoire – from baroque to jazz. To audiences around the world, Chuck is also admired as a witty stage performer whose improvised banter with Gene Watts (trombone) is a concert trademark.

Chuck comes from a long line of German and Swiss musicians, and during his childhood in Wisconsin his father gave him daily music lessons. He left the Eastman School of Music with a Ph.D. at the age of 25 and headed north to teach music at the University of Toronto. His academic plans were derailed when he met Gene Watts, who had plans for a unique brass quartet – now a quintet with Chuck on tuba. Together the two created The Canadian Brass and a new model for daring stage presentation of eclectic repertoire. "The music must be satisfying, and the format interesting and entertaining," says Chuck.

Canadian Brass Home page

Chuck's energy is legendary, and he gives the word "multi-tasking" new meaning. He is a superb musician, overall stage performer, businessman, and innovator. Among his projects is a series of 200 brass works published by Hal Leonard, many with CDs, and played by students everywhere. When not on tour, Chuck is at home in Toronto or Florida with his wife Mary Beth and their two young sons.

Chuck Daellenbach plays on a YCB-621 Yamaha Tuba.