Brass Band show another delight

With selections ranging from Sophisticated Ladies to Stravinsky’s Firebird to the Theme from Schindler’s List, the Brass Band of Battle Creek thrilled a full house at Kellogg Auditorium for a full 2 1/2 hours Friday evening.

Guest trumpeter Marvin Stamm made his instrument sulk like a saxophone, laugh like a clown, slink like a snake. He seemed to be particularly at home in the Cortner arrangements of Duke Ellington’s It Don’t Mean A Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing, and George Gershwin’s I Got Rhythm. Stamm had many other smaller solos during the concert as did Union, Michigan’s Danny Barber and Michigan State’s Richard Illman.

Even the tuba section had a small moment of glory with a comic rendition of Czardas, complete with cat calls, kazoos and sobs into handkerchiefs.

Founding brothers Drs. Bill and Jim Gray, contributed not only financially and in organizational matters; they also literally kept percussionist Alison Shaw on her feet for the performance. She had injured her ankle earlier in the week but received special assistance from the Gray’s.

The band had assembled from England and many parts of this country not only for this spring concert; they were also in town to cut their third compact disc.
Because it was to feature big band sounds, the band played an extensive medley from Glenn Miller at the end and then another one from Duke Ellington as an encore. Guest conductor Jeff Tyzik quipped that the band wanted to leave the big band sound in the hall in preparation for the next day’s work.

Tyzik has worked with many of the greats in the music scene over the past 20 years. Barbra Streisand, Doc Severinsen, Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, Lena Horne, Frank Sinatra, Woody Herman and the list goes on. One of the many memorable moments was Tyzik’s wonderful mellow composition entitled Lullaby for Basie.

Tyzik maintained a lively rapport with the audience as well as the band members, making the evening a high point in the Battle Creek musical season.

The band will present a summer concert on Saturday, July 13 at C.O. Brown Stadium with Doc Severinsen appearing as guest artist. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster only.