Thursday, I head to Europe for a week of teaching and playing:

• Friday, May 11
  Workshop
  Luzern Conservatory, Switzerland
• Monday, May 14
  Porgy & Bess with Christian Radovan (trombone), Alois Eberl (trombone, accordion) and Se-Lien Chuang (bass recorder)
  Vienna, Austria
• Tuesday, May 15
  Workshop
  JIM Institute for Jazz and Improvised Music at Anton Bruckner University, Linz Austria
• Thursday, May 17
  Workshop
  Prague Conservatory, Czech Republic
• Friday, May 18
  Jazzdock with Mark Aanderud (piano) and Tomáš Hobzek (drums)
  Prague, Czech Republic

Thank to Edwards for sponsoring these workshops.

Here are a few videos of Brainkiller at Vive Latino.

Please join us at facebook.com/brainkillermusic and me at facebook.com/nellanairb.

“Following a wayward trombonist at the piano is a lot simpler than chasing him with an ensemble in tow.”

“The sheer virtuosity of Taylor’s command of Schubert acrobatic showpiece was never in doubt – he can play it, and beautifully. But Taylor’s virtuosity is divinely wed to an idiosyncratic musical personality wholly his own. A lot of head-shaking and head-scratching followed that dress rehearsal.”

“None of us had anticipated the shock of “Doppelganger” in this context – it was Taylor’s first opportunity to open up and blast us full force. In the audience, bodies bobbed as if electrocuted. Watching the response of the musicians onstage was a rare pleasure: I have never seen members of an orchestra react as vividly, or visibly, to a soloist’s entrance as on this occasion.”

Not that we need extra incentive to hear Dave play, but Joe’s writing really makes us wish we had been in the audience.

A few weeks ago, Rick Romell of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel interviewed Christan for a story on the high level of brass manufacturing in Wisconsin (Elite trombonists lead parade to local custom instrument-makers). Christan was described as “a 39-year-old with a soul patch and a rapid-fire speech pattern sprinkled with musicians’ slang.” Sounds about right.

Romell’s article also discussed Gary Greenhoe’s role in Edwards’ history and his current job as owner of Greenhoe Trombones. It’s worth a read. Also, you can watch a video featuring Christan’s rapid-fire speech and soul patch.

Saturday, February 18, 2012 @ 8:00 & 10:00pm
Bohemian Caverns Nightclub
11th & U Street, NW
Washington, DC
Tickets: $20 addvance, $25 door
More info »

In March, Dave returns to DC to perform Schubert Uncorked with the PostClassical Ensemble. The group has commissioned a bass trombone and chamber orchestra version of Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata.

Saturday, March 31, 2012 @ 8:00 pm
Georgetown University – Gaston Hall
37th and O St. NW
Washington, DC
Tickets $25 ($5 with student ID)
More info »

These promise to be fantastic performances. I’m sure Dave would appreciate a venue packed with receptive brass players!

Participant spots available for:

• 6 Italians (5 tenors and 1 bass)
• 6 non-Italians (5 tenors and 1 bass)

ALL Particpants will be chosen by audition.
ALL Participants must register on www.alessiseminar.com.

Audition deadline is June 1, 2012. Participants will be notified of acceptance no later than July 15, 2012.

Audition Requirements

• Please record in the order listed.
• Electronic submissions ONLY!
• Email recordings in mp3 format to alessiseminar@me.com
• Please record solo repertoire without piano.
• No editing within an individual excerpt.
• Please record all selections in the same location.

Tenor Trombone

• David Concertino
  (beginning to letter C)
• Martin Ballade
  (beginning to #6)
• Bordogni/Rochut No. 15
  (beginning through m. 24 down an octave only)
• Mozart Requiem “Tuba mirum”
  2nd trombone solo
• Berlioz Hungarian March
  (2nd trombone part, beginning 6 measures before rehearsal 4 through the 2nd measure of rehearsal 5)
• Ravel Bolero
  (1st trombone solo, 3rd measure of rehearsal 10 to rehearsal 11)
• Wagner Ride of the Valkyries
  (major only)

Bass Trombone

• Vaughan Williams Concerto for Bass Tuba, mvt. 1
  (beginning to 4 measures before rehearsal 8)
• Vaughan Williams Concerto for Bass Tuba, mvt. 2
  (rehearsal 1 to rehearsal 5)
• Blazhevich 70 Studies for BBflat Tuba, vol. 1: No. #11
  (Robert King Edition)
• Bach “Sarabande” from Cello Suite No. 5
• Respighi Fountains of Rome
  (pick up to rehearsal 11 to 5 measures before rehearsal 16)
• Kodaly Hary Janos Suite, mvt. 4
  (beginning in the 5th measure of the poco meno mosso to the fermata)
• Wagner Ride of the Valkyries
  (2nd major section only)

And if you don’t know all of the pieces in the video, learn them!

Gerry recently presented a series of recitals and masterclasses on the prototype at TCU, Baylor and the University of Texas. He sounds great and we’re happy to have him playing an Edwards!