Horns hoot again in Kouvola as brass music festival Kymi Brass comes for the 14th time. Kymi Brass, one of the two biggest brass music festivals takes place from Friday 31 October to Saturday 2 November bringing some of the frontline horn blowers to Kouvola. This time the honorary guest is the world-renowned Australian multi-instrumentalist James Morrison.
Morrison is not famous for nothing: so far it seems that he is the only musician on the globe who possesses virtuosic skills in not only all big band instruments (trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone, saxophones, double bass, piano) but also tuba, alto horn and euphonium. Naturally he has collaborated with equally talented musicians, including Dizzy Gillespie, B. B. King, Ray Charles, Wynton Marsalis, and played some of the most prestigious festivals, such as Montreux Jazz Festival and Pori Jazz, and cult clubs from Blue Note to Village Vanguard. Morrison, who is fearless when it comes to genre boundaries, has toured with some of London’s best orchestras, direct his own music festival in Queensland, Australia, and act as a host of the Australian Top Gear. Needless to say, he is an eagerly awaited star and guest lecturer at Kymi Brass.
At the festival weekend, around a hundred music students will have a chance to take part in lectures, small group and private instruction provided by top teachers. In addition the festival offers concerts that are open to the public. The schedule follows previous years’ pattern.
At the opening concert on Friday 31 October at 7:00Pm at Kouvolan Keskuskirkko perform tuba artist Alessandro Fossi, Lahti Brass Quintet and LoistoBrass, composed of young stellar Finns. Friday’s programme continues at Restaurant Neville where the audience will be warmed up by PowerBrassGirls, a tentet of women, and sextet Con Brassica. Among the latter’s members we find he Young Artist of the Year, trumpeter Sami Kaalinpää.
On Saturday 1 November at 7:00PM, Kymi Brass dazzling guest stars James Morrison and Marian Petrescu trio will bring down the roof of Kuusankoskitalo. The night will be closed by Tundramatiks who play at Hotel Vaakuna’s restaurant Aula, starting from 10:00PM.
The climax of the festival, the main concert, takes place on Sunday 2 November at 3:00PM when all students, teachers and guests gather to play together at Kouvola Town Hall.
More information on www.kymibrass.com. The event is organised by Pohjois-Kymen Musiikkiopisto.
XIV Kymi Brass 31 Oct – 2 Nov 2014: Teachers and guest artists
Several instruments: James Morrison (AU)
Trumpet: Timo Hiipakka, Tomi Nietula, Seppo Pohjoisaho
French horn: Heikki Keski-Saari
Baritone and euphonium: Sanna Sorvo
Trombone: Antti Autio, Teemu Salmi
Tuba: Juha Salmela, Aleksi Saraskari
Tuban master class: Alessandro Fossi (IT)
Conductors: Eero Lehtimäki, Tomi Nietula, Teemu Salmi
XIV KYMI BRASS 31 Oct -2 Nov 2014 Concerts
Fri 31 Oct at 7:00PM Opening concert at Kouvolan keskuskirkko: Alessandro Fossi (tuba), Lahti Brass Quintet, LoistoBrass. Free entry! Programme 10/5 €
Fri 31 Oct at 10PM Friday Jam Session at restaurant Neville: PowerBrassGirls, Con Brassica. Free entry!
Sat 1 Nov at 4:00PM Children’s concert, Kouvola-talo Simelius Hall, Tickets 5/3 €
Sat 1 Nov klo 19 JAMES MORRISON & Marian Petrescu Trio: Kuusankoskitalo Kuusaa hall, James Morrison (multi-instruments), Marian Petrescu Trio. Tickets 20/15 €.
Sat 1 Nov klo 22 Saturday’s Jam Session, Restaurant Aula: Tundramatiks. Tickets 10/7 €
Sun 2 Nov klo 15 KYMI BRASS XIV FINAL CONCERT Kouvola Town Hall. Tickets 15/10 €