Bay Street Brassworks
Bay Street Brassworks is one of America’s finest and most entertaining brass ensembles. Founded in 1995, this versatile brass group performs a wide variety of musical genres ranging from Classical Music to Dixieland Jazz, Show Tunes, Classic Rock, Movie Themes and everything in between!
Based in Baltimore, this professional brass ensemble consists of Glen Johnson (Trumpet and founder), Stuart Smith (Trumpet), Chris Brown (French Horn), Carmen Russo (Trombone), Willie Clark (Tuba) and Amin Gumbs (Percussion). In 2004, renowned percussionist Amin Gumbs joined the ensemble, bringing additional texture and style to the group.
Bay Street Brassworks’ variety of musical abilities has produced engagements ranging from opening ceremonies at Baltimore Orioles baseball games to world premiere performances and clinics alongside the American Brass Quintet, Harvey Phillips, Gunther Schuller, conductor Harlan Parker and Steven Hendrickson of the National Symphony Orchestra.
This extremely talented and versatile group has performed at most major Universities from coast to coast and is the premiere educational brass ensemble of its kind, having cooperative relationships with a number of Young Audiences state organizations, providing both educational and concert opportunities. Their performances have been labeled as “exciting, friendly and energetic”; “they play with finesse, character and assurance.” Bay Street Brassworks will keep your audience clapping and asking for more.
The musicians derive great satisfaction from their youth activities and spend considerable amounts of their time encouraging and mentoring young brass players across the country. Currently, Bay Street Brassworks are performing artists for Young Audiences of Maryland, Young Audiences of Atlanta, Young Audiences of Colorado, and the Council for the Arts in both North and South Carolina. The ensemble has performed hundreds of educational programs, demonstration concerts, master classes, as well as, individual instructional clinics.
Artistic collaborations with other world-class artists have resulted in performances with members of the Annapolis and New York Brass Quintets, the Baltimore Symphony brass section, principal trumpet of the National Symphony Orchestra Steven Hendrickson and conductor Harlan Parker. Musical explorations have ranged from Tull's Concerto Grosso to Daniel Pinkham's Christmas Cantata.
In addition to its extensive concert activities, Bay Street Brassworks released their first CD in 2002, entitled Fresh Off The Boat - Folk Music From Around The World. This recording has expanded the reach of the ensemble into homes and schools from Florida to Colorado and from Maryland to Korea.
Among its numerous awards, Bay Street Brassworks received the first prize at the New York Brass Conference Brass Quintet Competition in 2003.
"Each person in our packed house left a foot or two off the ground because of the excitement of the performance. They were wonderful, elegant, talented , and courteous. Yes to all. Very professional, highly recommend them."
--Peabody Conservatory
Your collective musicality is outstanding...your manner of approach to this music is again right on the mark. Your performance makes me want to hear it again!
-Don Butterfield, Celebrated Jazz Tubist
The ensemble's blend, precision, intonation, dynamics and phrasing are consistently excellent. Noteworthy is how well the two trumpets match in sound and articulation throughout.
-Jon Burgess, Assistance Professor of Trumpet, Texas Christian University
It is a pleasure to present artists with both highly accomplished musical skills and a remarkable ability to establish audience rapport. I express our appreciation for your work, your artistry, and your dedication in bringing both enlightenment and enjoyment to our audience.
-Deborah Pankey- Mebane