Rhythm and Brass - Featuring the New Zealand Army Band Brass Quartet and Jazz Ensemble

Rhythm and Brass
Featuring the New Zealand Army Band Brass Quartet and Jazz Ensemble.

Formed in 1964 as a traditional brass band to perform at state and ceremonial occasions the New Zealand Army Band has evolved into one of the world’s most diverse entertainment organisations, performing in a wide variety of genres and settings. The incorporation of a rhythm section and vocalists in the 1970’s enabled the band to broaden its repertoire to include swing, jazz, pop and rock. A series of smaller ensembles then evolved, providing specific musical support to a wide variety of activities, events and audiences.

Rhythm and Brass will feature two of these ensembles.

The brass quartet performs at military and government functions, showcasing a variety of genres. The quartet, led by Private Kyle Lawson, will perform a combination of orchestral transcriptions as well as specific brass quartet repertoire made famous by internationally renowned brass quartets A4 Brass and Vaag Brass. They will also feature soloist Private John Mason on the tuba.   

The six piece jazz ensemble, named “Soldiers of Swing”, also performs at military and government functions, most recently at Government House in Wellington for HRH Princess Anne. They will be performing a mixture of old jazz standards, some R’n’B and modern funk charts.

The two ensembles will then combine for an epic finale.