Widely acclaimed as an ensemble of the highest caliber, the
Sonoran Brass Quintet has been captivating audiences for more than
a decade. Sam Pilafian, founding tubist of the renowned Empire Brass
acclaims:
“The Sonoran Brass Quintet is a group of musical virtuosos
who have transcended the difficulties of performing on brass
instruments. They have become master storytellers!”
The summer of 2008 saw the much-anticipated release of the
Sonoran Brass Quintet’s first full-length CD, entitled “Dry Heat.”
This exciting new album contains a wide variety of the quintet’s
favorite repertoire, from Renaissance works to 20th Century brass
compositions to all-new jazz arrangements written exclusively for the
quintet.
The Sonoran Brass Quintet has been featured with the Mesa
Community College Band performing Eric Ewazen’s “Shadowcatcher”, a
concerto for brass quintet and wind ensemble. The ensemble was the
only brass quintet invited to present a recital as Guest Artists at
the 2007 Southwest Regional Tuba/Euphonium Conference in Tucson,
Arizona and has been chosen to be a featured ensemble during the 2009
National Convention of the American Guild of Organists. The members of
the quintet are also participants in the Arizona Music Project, a new
program by the Arizona Office of Tourism designed to feature some of
Arizona’s most talented musicians.
The Sonoran Brass Quintet has collaborated in concert with
the Phoenix Children’s Chorus and Orpheus Men’s Chorus of Phoenix and
will be joining the Grammy-winning Phoenix Chorale (formerly known as
the Phoenix Bach Choir) for their December concert series. They have
been named “Artists in Residence” at Central United Methodist Church
in Phoenix, where they are featured regularly in services and
recitals. The quintet has been featured on live television broadcasts
across the state of Arizona and is also active in the arrangement,
commission and performance of new works.
The group is beloved by audiences in performances ranging from
standards of Classical music to Renaissance brass quintet literature
to arrangements of Broadway shows, the Beatles and Duke Ellington.
Charles Berginc, Principal Trumpet of the Phoenix Symphony, states the
quintet’s impression best: “...besides being musically polished to a
high degree, the Sonoran Brass Quintet is just plain fun!”
The members of the Sonoran Brass Quintet are Jupiter Performing Artists.
"...master story tellers..."
"...one of the nation's finest young brass ensembles..."
Widely acclaimed as an ensemble of the highest caliber, the
Sonoran Brass Quintet has been captivating audiences for more than
a decade. Sam Pilafian, founding tubist of the renowned Empire Brass
acclaims:
