PRESS INFO
In the last few years the Norwegian brass ensemble The Brazz Brothers has entered the European music scene with great success. The audience is "singing their praises" and The Brazz Brothers have gotten overwhelming reviews for their performances and recordings. "The Brazz Brothers set brass instruments in focus in a new and refreshing way"....
After years of playing concerts and touring the Scandinavian countries The Brazz Brothers today have visited Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, England, Slovakia, Holland, Canada, USA, Asia and Africa. During the last years, they have given more than 120 concerts a year. Their reputation as great "live" performers makes them a favorite in every festival or concert.
All the music that The Brazz Brothers plays is composed or arranged by the members of the group and represent a unique mix of traditional jazz, modern jazz and folk music from different parts of the world. The Scandinavian folk music tradition is strongly represented. All this is presented and performed with instrumental virtuosity and spontaneous humor.
Often The Brazz Brothers invite guest stars and partners in their musical projects. Musicians like Lester Bowie (trp.), Yousou N'Dour (voc.), John Surman (sax), Famoudou Don Moye (perc.), Amina Meyers (piano, organ), David Peaston (voc.), Rebecca Storm (voc.), Phil Minton (voc.), Povl Dissing (voc.), Sissel Kyrkjebø (voc.) Hukwe Zawose (afro.) and many others.
They also present their own compositions and arrangements in co-operation with other bands like Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy, the Tanzanian band Tatunane ("Afrobrazz"), the Japaneze Shidara drum ensemble, different big-bands, brass-bands and professional Symphony Orchestras and Choirs.
The Brazz Brothers have represented Norway in many official culture festivals all over the world and in 1992 they got a large scholarship from the Norwegian State. The members of the group are highly respected musicians both in the field of classical, studio recording and jazz. They are sought after teachers and often give lectures and masterclasses on their concert tours all over the world. At The Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer '94, The Brazz Brothers played at the closing ceremony presented for billions of TV-viewers all over the world.
During the Olympic Culture Program the band also presented their musical project "Brazzy Voices" which included jazz stars from America and a large norwegian chior. This musical celebration of Scandinavian and Afro-American music was presented in the summer of 1995 at twelve major jazz festivals in Europe and the music is released on the CD "Brazzy Voices", In+Out Records, Germany 1996.
The Brazz Brothers were founded in 1981 and consist of two sets of brothers that were born and grew up on the small island of Sula on the west coast of Norway. After their first drummer Egil "Bop" Johansen died in1998, the drums are now played by the swedish drummer Marcus Lewin.
The Brazz Brothers Musicians:
JARLE FOERDE, trumpet/ flugelhorn.
JAN MAGNE FOERDE, trumpet/flugelhorn.
RUNAR TAFJORD, French Horn.
HELGE FOERDE, trombone.
STEIN ERIK TAFJORD, tuba.
MARCUS LEWIN, drums.