Vic Hobson just did an interview with Jazz on the Tube about his latest book on Louis Armstrong that many members might be interested in (it also mentions our upcoming conference on Jazz in the early 20th century!). https://www.jazzonthetube.com/vic-hobson-and-the-roots-of-louis-armstrongs-music/
The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Brass Instruments which has been described as the most important publication on brass instruments since 1976 (Anthony Baines's Brass Instruments) has now been published in hardback.
The 600 page book is edited by Trevor Herbert, Arnold Myers and John Wallace.
Thirty-two experts from fifteen countries join three of the world’s leading authorities on the design, manufacture, performance and history of brass musical instruments in this first major encyclopedia on the subject. It includes over 100 illustrations, and gives attention to every known brass instrument which has been regularly used, with information about the way they are played, the uses to which they have been put and the importance they have had in classical music, sacred rituals, popular music, jazz, brass bands and the bands of the military. There are specialist entries covering every inhabited region of the globe and essays on the methods that experts have used to study and understand brass instruments. The encyclopedia spans the entire period from antiquity to modern times, with new and unfamiliar material that takes advantage of the latest research. From Abblasen to Zorzi Trombetta da Modon, this is the definitive guide for students, academics, musicians and music lovers.
Members of the Historic Brass Society can buy a copy at a discounted price from http://www.thewallacecollectionshop.world, by using the special coupon code of HBS2018CEBI at the checkout. This will provide a saving of more than 15% off the normal RRP.
Conference Registration and Information: "Making the Jazz Gumbo"
An international conference on repertoires that Influenced and were influenced by early jazz and celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the death of James Reese Europe, presented by the Historic Brass Society with support from the City University Of New York Graduate Center
May 8, 2019
CUNY Graduate Center, New York City
The Naturhornakademie Bad Dürkheim (International Horn Academy in Bad Dürkheim) is celebrating its fifteenth year with a number of events (concerts and seminars) this summer. Please see http://www.naturhorn.com/ for more information.
20–22 November 2018 in Biel/Bienne (Switzerland), Kongresshaus, Zentralstrasse 60.
The Fifth International Romantic Brass Symposium continues a year-long tradition at the Bern University of the Arts. Recurring on the research project Sound of Brass on the German trombone of the late 19th century, scholars and musicians from all over the world will meet to discuss the latest research in the area of brass instruments. http://www.hkb-interpretation.ch/romanticbrass5
Call for Proposals: Making the Jazz Gumbo
An international conference on repertoires that Influenced and were influenced by early jazz and celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the death of James Reese Europe, presented by the Historic Brass Society with support from the City University Of New York Graduate Center
May 8, 2019
CUNY Graduate Center, New York City
As with a great gumbo, the creation of musical genres involve the mix of many elements. Some of those elements have been downplayed in jazz history. This conference aims to address those shortcomings and will focus on musical styles that helped create and were influenced by jazz. Special focus will be placed on James Reese Europe and the Harlem Hell Fighters who created a link between ragtime and early jazz as well as what Jelly Roll Morton intriguingly called “That Spanish tinge.” Exploration of cross-influences from Latin American music will be explored, most notably, early Cuban repertoire. Brazilian choro, maxixe and other styles as well as repertoire from Puerto Rico, and Mexico will be included. Music and history of composers such as Louis Moreau Gottschalk and Ernesto Nazareth will also be represented.
The conference will end with a period-instrument concert of the music of James Reese Europe and the Harlem Hell Fighters as well as late 19th and early 20th century music of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Brazil and works by Gottschalk and Nazareth and others.
Proposals for papers on those and related topics will be considered for inclusion in the conference.
Send proposals by January 1, 2019 to
On October 12-13, 2018 the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis will present a workshop on trumpet ensemble improvisation practices in the 16th and 17th centuries. It is part of a research project headed by Igino Conforzi and Jean-François Madeuf with the goal of recreating improvised trumpet ensemble practice.
The Historic Brass Society is pleased to announce that the 2018 Christopher Monk Award has been presented to Richard Seraphinoff in recognition of his outstanding and sustained contributions to the understanding of the natural horn, its repertoire, historic performance practice, and manufacture.
The 51st International Horn Symposium in Ghent, Belgium will be held from 1 to 6 July 2019. Included are a number of events related to historical horn playing! Those interested in submitting an abstract for the conference or attending are encouraged to visit the symposium's website: http://ihs51.schoolofarts.be/program/historical-horn-conference/. You can view the call for papers here: https://goldenpages.jpehs.co.uk/2018/08/09/moving-horns-worldwide-migrations-in-horn-playing/
Robert Barclay, Richard Seraphinoff & Michael Münkwitz will again be giving their annual week-long trumpet-making course in Linton, UK beginning on June 11. Click for more information: Long Trumpet Making with Robert Barclay and guest appearances from Richard Seraphinoff & Michael Münkwitz | Monday 11th - Friday 15th June | £880; Cornetto Making with Sam Goble and Andrew Hallock 2nd - 6th July.
Arnold Myers helped organize numerous brass lectures and performances for HBS sessions at the 7th International Scientific Meeting for Sound and Musical Instrument Studies presented by ANIMUSIC. The conference (July 4-7, 2018)
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