Fortune Brass update
Tuesday, 23rd September 2008 by zachDue to some temporary long term unavailabilities of our trumpeters, Fortune Brass has taken a bit a of a break from performing regular feature concerts, and is on standby until mid-2009.
But during this time there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes!
Not only is Fortune Brass currently in the process of ordering more repertoire from overseas, Australian composers writing for us and Jules and Zach writing some cool arrangments, but we are also building relationships with some of the best venues in town: St. Christopher's Cathedral, Jazz at The Folkus, The National Library, and University house hall. This growing repertoire list and contrast of venues will help us to be more specific in the style of music we play - eg jazz for one concert, classical for another!
On top of this, we are collecting together as many brass players as we can from all over Canberra to be on our list, so we will never be short of musicians for performances.
It really is exciting how the versatile brass scene in Canberra is growing.
Get ready for a big year of concert programs for 2009!
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Cruising the Carribean!
Sunday, 14th September 2008 by zachThe Carribean....this is where your Zach Raffan is at the moment , playing his trumpet in a commercial show band on board the 'Majesty of the Seas' Cruise ship. I will be there until March 2nd 2009. We go around in a huge circular route, from Miami, to Nassau, Key West, Cocoacay, and then back to Miami. Cocoacay is my favorite because of the palm tree beaches where i swim once a week, and walk around the island in my sunnies and haiwan shirt like a mafia guy. Apart from playing in the band at night, there is a lot of free time, which i spend reading, playing folk music on the guitar and going to the gym.
Sounds exotic, but believe me, you can get homesick for a hometown like Canberra! The fresh air, the Orchestra, and the space i miss the most,...not to mention all of you guys.
But i am so happy i am doing this temporarily for six months. The band set up is trumpet, trombone, sax, keyboard, bass, guitar, drums. The commercial music is a lot of fun to play, and i feel like it is getting me in real good shape playing night after night. Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Ray Charles, ABBA, Elvis, and lots more of the disco, and motown famous stuff.
I was so nervous and a bit sad the first couple of days because i thought i didnt really fit in. But when it was as simple as getting over the Kindergarten shyness, and just plainly introducing myself to the others and asking them directly if i could hang out with them, i realise how easy it is to meet people and feel accepted.
So the the whole playing on a Cruise ship experience - its different from Canberra - but highly recommended to all of you trumpeters who want to get the commercial experience under your belt!
If you want to know anything else about what im doing at the moment, put up a post on this website or send me an email on zachraffan@hotmail.com
I also am interested in knowing what you guys are doing! Anything that is brass related, please post it up on this website - no matter how small/amatuer/ or non interesting you think it is, it deosnt matter. For me, everything is interesting!:)
I wish you all well, and a wonderful musical year for the rest of 2008.
All the best,
Zach
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New Pics!
Thursday, 1st May 2008 by julieMany thanks to our good friend Bing Tan for taking such brilliant photographs at our April 6 gig at the Wig & Pen. Many of you will know that The Wig is a cosy venue with fairly low lighting but as you'll see, Bing's artistic eye & creativity has produced some amazing results!
Wig and Pen Gig!
Monday, 31st March 2008 by zachJust a reminder folks, Fortune Brass performs in the Wig and Pen Sunday 6th April. Eight trumpets folks - be prepared for a blast!
We'll be kicking off with some classical tunes before we jazz it up featuring Canberra jazz trumpet legends, Miroslav Bukovsky and Dan McLean along with Dan's colleagues from the Funky Fedoras: Wayne Kelly (piano), James Luke (bass) & Chris Thwaite (drums).
Doors open at 12:00pm, music starts at 12:45pm!
$10 entry fee. With complimentary food & drinks...overall, a very good excuse for a very enjoyable afternoon!
National Library gig
Friday, 14th March 2008 by julieLast Wednesday, Fortune Brass performed at the launch of the National Library of Australia's latest exhibition, Bridging the Distance
We played a fanfare version of 'Road to Gundagai' to open the proceedings & played from the mezzanine level in the Library's foyer - great acoustics for brass! After the speeches we helped get everyone in the mood for a great night with a jazzy rendition of 'I've been Everywhere', both pieces arranged by Julie Watson for brass quartet - three trumpets & trombone. We hadn't played in this combo before but it worked really well! More arranging from Julie on the way!