Canadian Brass - FEATURE STORY

Trumpet “Dream Team” Announced

Joe Canadian Brass announced today the creation of a ‘trumpet dream team’ to fill its trumpet positions. Anchoring the team will be Joe Burgstaller. He is well known to Brass audiences for his musical inventiveness, unbelievable technical proficiency and his heart-rending ballads. Joe has resumed his permanent appointment after a year soloing and performing in New York City.

Joining Joe on the other trumpet position will be a plethora of trumpet greatness. Ronald Romm, original trumpeter of the group and member for 29 years, Ryan Anthony (acting principal trumpet of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra), Jeroen Berwaerts (principal trumpet of the Hamburg Radio Symphony) and Stuart Laughton (original trumpet player of the Brass in 1970) will be performing in upcoming Canadian Brass appearances and concerts.

Ron “This is an unusual opportunity for both us as performers and for our fans and friends,” says Chuck. “Ronnie virtually invented today’s challenging role for trumpet in a brass quintet, equally at home playing Bach and jazz, Mozart and Beatles. Now he will be coming back to perform with the very artists that grew up in his inspiration.”

Ryan One of those who had joined the Brass knowing Ron’s style inside and out was Ryan Anthony. Ryan first came to the attention of the group as a teenager in California. Performing in workshop, he brought the crowd to its feet playing one of Canadian Brass’ own signature showpieces. The Brass decided they needed to keep an eye out for Ryan. Several years after he graduated from the Cleveland Instititute of Music, the call was made to have him fill Ronnie’s shoes.

Jeroen This past January on tour in Germany, for the first time in its 36-year history, the Brass had an unexpected last minute emergency requiring a trumpet substitute. As Jeroen Berwaerts tells the story, “I had called Joe about three hours before their concert to ask for a ticket. Joe said he had a better idea, that I wouldn’t need a ticket if I were to simply bring my trumpet and play along.” And play along he did! German critics were unanimous throughout the tour that the group sounded exciting, fresh and very gifted with Jeroen’s musical contribution.

Stuart And in one of the most interesting stories in all chamber music history, Stuart Laughton rejoined the Canadian Brass in 2003 after a 32-year absence, having left the fledgling group to attend college. To be able to return to be part of this amazing success story is unprecedented in music group relationships.

Gene mused that, “Collectively, this array of trumpet performers represents the finest players in the world today. To be able to have them perform with us as members of the Canadian Brass is indeed a dream. We’re sure our audiences will thank us for making this unique opportunity come to life.”

Check the concert calendar for the trumpet "team" line-up for each concert and appearance of the Brass.

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