PRESS

New York Times

'To not have an all-boys club anymore at one of the pre-eminent brass ensembles in North America means that we’re really saying something, which is excellent. It also means that I get to wear a dress. They were wearing all-black before, and I’ve introduced some color to their palette.'

Boston Musical Intelligencer

[ABQ] regaled us with brightness and surprise...how sweet it was to discover that we are in the very thick of a new Golden Age for brass repertoire.

The Boston Musical Intelligencer

[ABQ] regaled us with brightness and surprise...how sweet it was to discover that we are in the very thick of a new Golden Age for brass repertoire.

The Aspen Times

"...an ear-soothing concert"

International Trombone Association Journal

Never disappointing audiences, the American Brass Quintet has again delivered an album of newly commissioned works by American composers, performed at an exceptional level.

The Berkshire Eagle

New music forms the cornerstone of ABQ's repertoire. Over its 60 years, ABQ has premiered some 150 new works that collectively form the basis of modern brass repertoire.

The Record

The American Brass Quintet offers a series of mini-residencies while they tour, giving young classical musicians the opportunity to develop in an 'intense chamber music experience' over a period of several days.

South Florida Classical Review

"Playing their modern counterparts, the superb American Brass Quintet joined the choir for a program of music that was both reverent and celebratory. "

The Aspen Times

With the imprimatur of the American Brass Quintet, and personal instructions from its members, the Seminar @Aspen became the premier brass chamber music program in the U.S. as soon as it was announced. After seeing it through its inaugural season, Rojak thinks it lived up to the hype. 'We were hoping it would be good,' he said, 'but I think it exceeded expectations.'

The Aspen Times

San Francisco Classical Voice

Audophile Audition

There really isn’t a better source for contemporary classical brass music than the ABQ.

The Aspen Times

The quintet’s mellow and rich playing on the 'old' music of Gabrieli, Stolzer and others of the Renaissance contrasted nicely with these [contemporary] works, and the virtuosic fun of the opener, Clint Needham’s Brass Quintet No. 1 'Circus.'

Broadway World

The American Brass Quintet was excited to have a chance to work with Rob Paterson and get him writing for brass quintet. Shine is a challenging, rewarding and effective piece that has stopped the show at every performance. Working with Rob was like having another member in the quintet - he knew how to solve technical issues without sacrificing the integrity of the music.

The Aspen Times

The quintet’s clear sound and precise articulation let the music speak with big-time personality.

The Aspen Times

The quintet’s clear sound and precise articulation let the music speak with big-time personality.

Limelight

Beyond its significant contribution to the catalogue, the American Brass Quintet is committed to education and the promotion of music. The ensemble is in residence at The Julliard School, where the five members teach and perform brass chamber music. During their Australian tour, they have scheduled visits to various institutions including the Sydney and Melbourne Conservatoriums of Music.

The New York Times

As of Monday both spots have been filled: the trumpeter Louis Hanzlik joined the ensemble on Dec. 1, and the hornist Eric Reed will take over from Mr. Wakefield on March 23. They are the 25th and 26th members of the ensemble…

International Trombone Association Journal

Never disappointing auidences, the American Brass Quintet has again delivered an album of newly commissioned works by American composers, performed at an exceptional level.

International Trombone Association Journal

“The ABQ brings forth a confident and exceptionally balanced performance, highlighting the artistry of five working as one.”

American Record Guide

I wish all brass players would approach Renaissance music with this much imagination and variety, not to mention skill. This may be the best recording of its type.

Fanfare

The mix of selections reinforces my belief that in the past "golden" age, certain tunes were common currency, regardleso sf the musical orientation of the listener. Schubert's Serenad was one of them, and Stephen Foster's Come Where my Love Lies Dreaming would have been another. The American Brass Quintet Brass Band cuts through these pieces like a knife through unrefrigerated butter, putting most of the village bands I've heard in my lifetime well into the shade. Lincoln, it's safe to say, would have been both grateful and impressed.

Classical Music

This recording is a fine example of the good results that can come from a mix of well-played modern instnrments and historically informed ideas of interpretation. General music lovers as well as lovers of fine brass playing will find much here to enjoy.

International Trombone Association Journal

This disc demonstrates why the American Brass Quitnet deserves to be considered one of the world's finest brass ensembles. The playing is always clear and precise, yet with an emotional excitement that can only be generated by performers united in their concept of music line.

Fanfare

Suffice it to say that the ABQ virtually invented the modern brass quintet. This release commemorates the ABQ's 40th anniversary...and it shows their collective virtuosity burning brighter than ever. Excelsior gentlemen.

American Record Guide

This is a truly great recording of wonderful new works.

Los Angeles Times

The members of the American Brass Quintet breathe as one, provide effortless well-matched phrasing, and generally produce a superbly balanced, fine golden sound.

The Denver Post

Brass quintets are, by their very nature, brilliant to the ear. When reinforced by superb performance the effect is positively dazzlng. This is what happened when the American Brass Quintet played Monday night at the University of Denver. In short the American Brass Quintet did itself and the repertory proud.

The Baltimore Sun

The American Brass Quintet is probably this country's most distinguished ensemble of its kind now appearing beforet he public. Nothing seems difficult for them- from the sustaining of the quietest organ-like sonorities to the articulation of quicksilver passages requiring digital speed and tonguing agility.

The Examiner

Describe the ideal in brass playing and you're talking about the kind of sound and ensemble produced by The American Brass Quintet

Jornal Do Brasil

Friday's program, eclectic and well-chose, superbly demonstrated the group's virtuosity, which cast a truly magnetic force on the enthusiastic audience.

The Telegraph

It is quite impossible to overpraise the playing of the American Brass Quintet...they have everything...brilliance, attack, perfect ensemble and intonation, and a tone quality of unrivaled purity, range and power...a concert of such high quality one could only single out a few of the outstanding moments...sombre beauty...feather-like delicacy...technical brilliance...wonderful sonorities. For one listener in a long and full career of over half a century this was concert was a unique experience.

The Washington Post

What the American Brass Quintet seemed intent on proving was that anything their instrumental relatives can do, they do as well, or better. No texture, speed, tonal color or dynamic seems to be beyond their means. They sustain wispy pianissimos as easily as deafening fortissimos, and toss of trills with awesome nonchalance. They have an astonishing variety of tonal attacks, and can negotiate melodic passages of a convoluted rapidity that would frighten a coloratura soprano.

Western Mail

The program was clearly the result of careful preparation...the performance both from an individual and ensemble viewpoint was exemplary, and in addition a noble one in quantity and qualiry the group pays rewarding attention to dynamic gradation.

La Provence

This group is of a very high caliber, especially regarding technical mastery and musicality of each member and the intelligence, sensitivity and refinement of the interpretations...the American Brass Quintet possesses, moreover an art of nuance of which it seems extremely difficult to find many examples.

The Times (London)

The American Brass Quintet filled the cathedral Tuesday evening with a range of color and sound that was astonishingly rich and varied..just as impressive was the variety of music involved, taking in its stride works from the fifteenth century to the present day...show players with the verve and power of this fine quintet.

Badische Zeitung

The five American virtuosos don't seem to have any technical difficulties whatsoever; they play neck-breaking passagess self-assuredly and easily, as if they were playing flutes or clarinets. The bravura of their solo playing multiplies itself in the super bravura of their ensemble playing.

The New York Times

A spectacular demonstration of ensemble virtuosiry. The brilliance of their playing is matched by the extraordinary sonics: crystalline definition, airy spaciousness, superb presence and an overall clarity this is positively breathtaking.

The New York Times

A spectacular demonstration of ensemble virtuosity. The brilliance of their playing is matched by the extraordinary sonics: crystalline definition, airy spaciousness, superb presence and an overall clarity this is positively breathtaking.