TromboneChat

Hello Trombone Fans in the Mid-Atlantic!

Just putting the word out that MATT NIESS will be the guest trombone soloist with Spires Brass Band on Saturday, October 12, 2024. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Kussmual Theater at Frederick Community College in Frederick, Maryland. The venue address is: 8010 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702.

Matt Niess was the lead trombonist with the Army Blues Band in Arlington, VA for thirty years. He is also the founder and leader of the Capital Bones. Matt has also led the Stan Kenton Christmas performances at the Kennedy Center and is the director of the National Jazz Workshop. Currently, Matt is professor of trombone at the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in Winchester, VA.

Matt will perform a couple of standard jazz ballads along with some significant works, including "Colors" by Bert Appermont and "Brasilia" by Robin Dewhurst. Matt is a very dynamic performer and puts his personal twist on everything. It should be a great concert!

Frederick, MD is in the middle of everything in the mid-Atlantic region. We are only about 40 minutes from the Baltimore and D.C. beltways. Harrisburg and York, PA are only about 75-80 minutes away. The northern Virginia suburbs of D.C. are not far away either.....we actually have several performers in the band that drive up weekly from northern Virginia. The Spires Brass Band website is: spiresbrassband.org

The Spires Brass Band rehearsed again last night with Matt Niess. He absolutely lit it up! This is going to be a great concert and Matt is going to demonstrate some fantastic trombone playing.

Just want to mention the ticket details. Tickets for adults are $20 at the door. Student tickets are only $5 at the door. Students include high school and college students.....show us a college ID and you can get the student rate! This is a special rate for this season because the Spires Brass Band is aiming to attract more young people for our performances. If you are a high school or college student, this is an exceptional opportunity to hear a talented artist at a very reasonable price. Spires Brass Band accepts cash, checks and charge cards at the ticket booth. Here are the concert details again....

"Gettin' Jazzy" with the Spires Brass Band
Guest Artist - Trombonist Matt Niess
7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 12, 2024
Kussmaul Theater - Frederick Community College
8010 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702

Agh why did you have to schedule this to overlap with my son's birthday? You should know better!!

I would go but I already have a gig.
A few years ago I subbed for Jay in that band, maybe it was just for a rehearsal.

Doug and Matt......sorry about the schedule conflicts. I'll let Matt know that you said "hello."

Doug.....I am wondering if you played with Spires Brass Band prior to the pandemic. Jay Gibble is still playing with us (he has a couple of smaller solos this Saturday) but a lot has happened since 2020.

The band had to take a year off for Covid. Spires Brass Band made a big comeback in the fall of 2021. Unfortunately, the founder/director John Slezak passed away in the summer of 2022. Many were concerned that the band might fade away after his passing. Not a single musician left.

After a year of guest conductors, I was selected as the conductor/music director in 2023. We have had a very strong run in the last year......enthusiastic membership, large appreciative crowds and outstanding performances. Two of the last three concerts were standing room only. The May 2024 "British Invasion" concert was absolutely stunning. This October 12th concert should be great one as well!

I think it was long before the pandemic. Could have been 10 years ago.