Brass Evolution

In this episode I chat to banding icon Ray Farr about his research into the Distin Family and their extraodinary impact on the beginnings of the brass band movement. We discuss the groups origins, tenor horn vs. alto saxhorn, missing testpieces and the wonderful array of instruments being performed at the time.

In this episode I chat to researcher and relative of Cora Youngblood Corson, James P Gregory Jnr about her trailblazing and complex life and his ongoing discoveries into her significance in opening doors for women brass musicians. We discuss her enterprising beginnings in Anardarko, her rise to fame, jewel encrusted Euphoniums and much more.

In this episode I chat to David Hirst about the origins of the probably the most famous brass band in the world - Black Dyke. We discuss the early contests, instrumentation, local rivalries and some of the legends of the Queensbury band in the Victorian era.

In this episode I chat to Band Blasts from the Past blogger and postcard collector Jeremy de Korte about his own collection, Australian banding and how these cards and their messages can help us uncover the banding past.Trove - National Library of Australia and partnersThis episode mentions Aboriginal Mission Bands. This podcast acknowledges First Australian peoples as the Traditio

This episode I chat to founding Director of the Shildon Heritage Alliance CIC and author David Reynolds about the lives and entrepreneurial spirit of two men from a pioneering railway town who went on to create some of the brass band movements most powerful and enduring contest marches - George Allen and Thomas Bulch.The Wizard & The Typhoon websiteSupport the show

This episode I chat to Director of Percussion at the RNCM Simone Rebello about the history of percussion in UK brass bands. We talk about the journey from solitary timekeeper to incredible virtuoso soloists and vast sections, performing on a wonderful variety of instruments, and the compositions that propelled percussion forward.Simone Rebello websiteIf you like the podcast you can

This episode I chat to Dr Alex Parker and Eleanor McKenzie from Brass Bands England and Heritage Quay about all things Brass Band Archive. We talk about moving 6 transit vans worth of history, problematic silverware, brass band traffic jams and the mystery of the wax cylinders.The Brass Band ArchiveBrass Band Archive BlogArchive Catalogue OnlineSupport the show

In this episode I chat to to the incredible Dr. Joanna Ross Hersey about her research into women brass musicians in American music, routes into the profession, the changing political and social settings, all female bands and their inspiring leaders including Helen May Butler and Cora Youngblood Corson.Joanna Ross Hersey websiteCora Youngblood CorsonComposer Diversity DatabaseEvery

In this episode I'm chatting with Gavin Dixon about his research into the G Trombone, discussing its origins, instrument manufacture in the UK and beyond aswell traditionalists and revivalists.Gavin Dixon websiteThe Horniman MuseumArnold MyersSt. Cecilia's Hall Every episode a portion of the ad revenue is donated to an organisation chosen by our guest - this week its the Musicians

In this episode I speak to band member and archivist Robert Fraser about Whitburn Band's exhibition at the Whitburn Community Museum, some band legends and a few interesting discoveries they made along the way.Whitburn Band websiteWhitburn Band YouTubeWhitburn Community MuseumFriends of Whitburn Community MuseumThe Living Memory AssociationEvery episode a portion of the ad revenue