BRAZZISSIMO Brass Chamber Music Ensemble
Est. 2001

Thank you for visiting our website!

As we presently are unable to perform in a public manner, past concert selections will be posted here on a periodic basis for your listening pleasure. Stay well!

Sound track today:

Ave Maria - Franz Biebl, arr. Jonathan Knight

Recorded live June 4, 2016 Berkeley , Ca BRAZZISSIMO and Solstice

If not hearing the sound track

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About the ensemble

BRAZZISSIMO is a ten-piece brass chamber music ensemble and was formed in September of 2001 under the direction of then trumpeter/director Philip Shoptaugh and trombonist friend Jim Jaffe. As a result of a late night reading session at the Humboldt State Brass Chamber Music Workshop, Philip Jones' music was on the menu and the spark of inspiration was ignited. Since then we have been performing specifically arranged or composed music for this ensemble's configuration with emphasis on classical, jazz, Latin and contemporary pieces.

We utilize a combination of four trumpets (piccolo trumpet, various pitched trumpets and flugelhorn), four trombones (including baritone horn), French horn and tuba. Added percussionists accompany many of our concerts.

Our musicians, year in and year out, are representative of some of the finest in the S.F. Bay Area. Our members perform with various orchestras, symphonic bands, smaller chamber groups, and many also are music educators.

2020 represents BRAZZISSIMO's 19th season, and as we roar ahead our unrelenting MISSION is to showcase exciting and true interpretations of brass chamber literature to you. Our consistent GOAL is to present the most enjoyable and memorable concert-going experiences possible.

Dean