December 10, 1998. A date that will live in Lounge Art Finnish fan lore as the night Dave Carpenter, Bob Sheppard and Peter Erskine brought their American swing ethos to the frozen jazz hinterland otherwise known as the newly-opened Doo-Bop Club in Vaasa, Finland. I remember two things about that gig: that it was fun, and that it was cold. It was also captured by the YLE radio station and preserved on DA-88 tapes. Discovering these in the usual unmarked cardboard box in storage, I had their contents transferred to .wav files by the archival experts at Warner Brothers in Burbank (this involved some “baking” of the tape material) and then setting engineer Aaron Walk loose to remix it to his heart’s content.

We have an album! 7 tunes from the First Set, and 7 tunes from the Second Set. Featuring the late / great Dave Carpenter on acoustic and 6-string electric bass. His simultaneous walking and chordal comping is out of this world, as is his soloing on these recordings. Bob Sheppard swings, and I manage to get a few good licks in now and then. Of special note are the w tunes on the First Set where I’m playing the Club Jordan cocktail kit. Holy Cow.

90 second previews appear below. (Please click the >> button on the player to advance from preview-track to preview-track!)

7 tunes for $2.50 … you can’t beat that deal with a stick.

Buy the first set here.

December 10, 1998. A date that will live in Lounge Art Finnish fan lore as the night Dave Carpenter, Bob Sheppard and Peter Erskine brought their American swing ethos to the frozen jazz hinterland otherwise known as the newly-opened Doo-Bop Club in Vaasa, Finland. I remember two things about that gig: that it was fun, and that it was cold. It was also captured by the YLE radio station and preserved on DA-88 tapes. Discovering these in the usual unmarked cardboard box in storage, I had their contents transferred to .wav files by the archival experts at Warner Brothers in Burbank (this involved some “baking” of the tape material) and then setting engineer Aaron Walk loose to remix it to his heart’s content.

We have an album! 7 tunes from the First Set, and 7 tunes from the Second Set. Featuring the late / great Dave Carpenter on acoustic and 6-string electric bass. His simultaneous walking and chordal comping is out of this world, as is his soloing on these recordings. Bob Sheppard swings, and I manage to get a few good licks in now and then. Of special note are the tunes on the First Set where I’m playing the Club Jordan cocktail kit. Holy Cow.

90 second previews appear in the player below. Use the next/previous >> buttons to hear previews of each track.

7 tunes for $2.50 … you can’t beat that deal with a stick.

Buy the second set here.

Jazz On 3 for BBC Radio 3 commissioned me to compose a suite of music “for brass and percussion” in late 2000. I set to work and came up with 11 pieces for brass (3 trumpets, 3 French horns, trombone, tuba), rhythm section, percussion plus one woodwind soloist. The premiere date was May 25, 2001, and the ensemble was conducted by Mike Gibbs. Soloists included Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Michael Formanek and Marty Ehrlich! The master multitrack tapes were discovered recently, and I had all of the music remixed and mastered to my total satisfaction by Aaron Walk!

The players are: John Barclay (1st Trpt.), Richard Iles (2nd Trpt.), Kenny Wheeler (solo trumpet & flugelhorn); Pip Eastop , Richard Berry & Martin Owen, French horns; Liam Kirkman, trb; Owen Slade, tuba; Colin Currie, percussion; John Taylor, piano; Michael Formanek, bass; Peter Erskine, drums; and Marty Ehrlich, reeds.

The great British brass band tradition of excellence shines, as does the improvisatory genius of Kenny, JT, Marty and Michael.

The music is available by individual song file, or as a suite. An added bonus is a trio improvisation of Marty, Michael & myself (“Relativity”). Download the entire concert for $7.99.

Also available are the scores and parts for each of the 11 movements of “Music for Brass & Percussion.”

Many thanks to all of the musicians, and the following:

Peter Erskine

Jazz On 3 for BBC Radio 3 commissioned me to compose a suite of music “for brass and percussion” in late 2000. I set to work and came up with 11 pieces for brass (3 trumpets, 3 French horns, trombone, tuba), rhythm section, percussion plus one woodwind soloist. The premiere date was May 25, 2001, and the ensemble was conducted by Mike Gibbs. Soloists included Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Michael Formanek and Marty Ehrlich! The master multitrack tapes were discovered recently, and I had all of the music remixed and mastered to my total satisfaction by Aaron Walk!

The players are: John Barclay (1st Trpt.), Richard Iles (2nd Trpt.), Kenny Wheeler (solo trumpet & flugelhorn); Pip Eastop , Richard Berry & Martin Owen, French horns; Liam Kirkman, trb; Owen Slade, tuba; Colin Currie, percussion; John Taylor, piano; Michael Formanek, bass; Peter Erskine, drums; and Marty Ehrlich, reeds.

The great British brass band tradition of excellence shines, as does the improvisatory genius of Kenny, JT, Marty and Michael.

The music is available by individual song file, or as a suite. An added bonus is a trio improvisation of Marty, Michael & myself (“Relativity”). Download the entire concert for $7.99.

Also available are the scores and parts for each of the 11 movements of “Music for Brass & Percussion.”

Many thanks to all of the musicians, and the following:

Peter Erskine

“Fanfare” is dedicated to Michael Gibbs

a 90-second audio preview appears below…

Jazz On 3 for BBC Radio 3 commissioned me to compose a suite of music “for brass and percussion” in late 2000. I set to work and came up with 11 pieces for brass (3 trumpets, 3 French horns, trombone, tuba), rhythm section, percussion plus one woodwind soloist. The premiere date was May 25, 2001, and the ensemble was conducted by Mike Gibbs. Soloists included Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Michael Formanek and Marty Ehrlich! The master multitrack tapes were discovered recently, and I had all of the music remixed and mastered to my total satisfaction by Aaron Walk!

The players are: John Barclay (1st Trpt.), Richard Iles (2nd Trpt.), Kenny Wheeler (solo trumpet & flugelhorn); Pip Eastop , Richard Berry & Martin Owen, French horns; Liam Kirkman, trb; Owen Slade, tuba; Colin Currie, percussion; John Taylor, piano; Michael Formanek, bass; Peter Erskine, drums; and Marty Ehrlich, reeds.

The great British brass band tradition of excellence shines, as does the improvisatory genius of Kenny, JT, Marty and Michael.

The music is available by individual song file, or as a suite. An added bonus is a trio improvisation of Marty, Michael & myself (“Relativity”). Download the entire concert for $7.99.

Also available are the scores and parts for each of the 11 movements of “Music for Brass & Percussion.”

Many thanks to all of the musicians, and the following:

Peter Erskine

“Meanwhile” is dedicated to Marty Ehrlich

a 90-second audio preview appears below…

Jazz On 3 for BBC Radio 3 commissioned me to compose a suite of music “for brass and percussion” in late 2000. I set to work and came up with 11 pieces for brass (3 trumpets, 3 French horns, trombone, tuba), rhythm section, percussion plus one woodwind soloist. The premiere date was May 25, 2001, and the ensemble was conducted by Mike Gibbs. Soloists included Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Michael Formanek and Marty Ehrlich! The master multitrack tapes were discovered recently, and I had all of the music remixed and mastered to my total satisfaction by Aaron Walk!

The players are: John Barclay (1st Trpt.), Richard Iles (2nd Trpt.), Kenny Wheeler (solo trumpet & flugelhorn); Pip Eastop , Richard Berry & Martin Owen, French horns; Liam Kirkman, trb; Owen Slade, tuba; Colin Currie, percussion; John Taylor, piano; Michael Formanek, bass; Peter Erskine, drums; and Marty Ehrlich, reeds.

The great British brass band tradition of excellence shines, as does the improvisatory genius of Kenny, JT, Marty and Michael.

The music is available by individual song file, or as a suite. An added bonus is a trio improvisation of Marty, Michael & myself (“Relativity”). Download the entire concert for $7.99.

Also available are the scores and parts for each of the 11 movements of “Music for Brass & Percussion.”

Many thanks to all of the musicians, and the following:

Peter Erskine

“The Sweetest Curve” is dedicated to Mark-Anthony Turnage

a 90-second audio preview appears below…

Jazz On 3 for BBC Radio 3 commissioned me to compose a suite of music “for brass and percussion” in late 2000. I set to work and came up with 11 pieces for brass (3 trumpets, 3 French horns, trombone, tuba), rhythm section, percussion plus one woodwind soloist. The premiere date was May 25, 2001, and the ensemble was conducted by Mike Gibbs. Soloists included Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Michael Formanek and Marty Ehrlich! The master multitrack tapes were discovered recently, and I had all of the music remixed and mastered to my total satisfaction by Aaron Walk!

The players are: John Barclay (1st Trpt.), Richard Iles (2nd Trpt.), Kenny Wheeler (solo trumpet & flugelhorn); Pip Eastop , Richard Berry & Martin Owen, French horns; Liam Kirkman, trb; Owen Slade, tuba; Colin Currie, percussion; John Taylor, piano; Michael Formanek, bass; Peter Erskine, drums; and Marty Ehrlich, reeds.

The great British brass band tradition of excellence shines, as does the improvisatory genius of Kenny, JT, Marty and Michael.

The music is available by individual song file, or as a suite. An added bonus is a trio improvisation of Marty, Michael & myself (“Relativity”). Download the entire concert for $7.99.

Also available are the scores and parts for each of the 11 movements of “Music for Brass & Percussion.”

Many thanks to all of the musicians, and the following:

Peter Erskine

“Since When…Tomorrow?” is dedicated to Kenny Wheeler

a 90-second audio preview appears below…

Jazz On 3 for BBC Radio 3 commissioned me to compose a suite of music “for brass and percussion” in late 2000. I set to work and came up with 11 pieces for brass (3 trumpets, 3 French horns, trombone, tuba), rhythm section, percussion plus one woodwind soloist. The premiere date was May 25, 2001, and the ensemble was conducted by Mike Gibbs. Soloists included Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Michael Formanek and Marty Ehrlich! The master multitrack tapes were discovered recently, and I had all of the music remixed and mastered to my total satisfaction by Aaron Walk!

The players are: John Barclay (1st Trpt.), Richard Iles (2nd Trpt.), Kenny Wheeler (solo trumpet & flugelhorn); Pip Eastop , Richard Berry & Martin Owen, French horns; Liam Kirkman, trb; Owen Slade, tuba; Colin Currie, percussion; John Taylor, piano; Michael Formanek, bass; Peter Erskine, drums; and Marty Ehrlich, reeds.

The great British brass band tradition of excellence shines, as does the improvisatory genius of Kenny, JT, Marty and Michael.

The music is available by individual song file, or as a suite. An added bonus is a trio improvisation of Marty, Michael & myself (“Relativity”). Download the entire concert for $7.99.

Also available are the scores and parts for each of the 11 movements of “Music for Brass & Percussion.”

Many thanks to all of the musicians, and the following:

Peter Erskine

“I See England, I See France” is dedicated to John Taylor

a 90-second audio preview appears below…

Jazz On 3 for BBC Radio 3 commissioned me to compose a suite of music “for brass and percussion” in late 2000. I set to work and came up with 11 pieces for brass (3 trumpets, 3 French horns, trombone, tuba), rhythm section, percussion plus one woodwind soloist. The premiere date was May 25, 2001, and the ensemble was conducted by Mike Gibbs. Soloists included Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Michael Formanek and Marty Ehrlich! The master multitrack tapes were discovered recently, and I had all of the music remixed and mastered to my total satisfaction by Aaron Walk!

The players are: John Barclay (1st Trpt.), Richard Iles (2nd Trpt.), Kenny Wheeler (solo trumpet & flugelhorn); Pip Eastop , Richard Berry & Martin Owen, French horns; Liam Kirkman, trb; Owen Slade, tuba; Colin Currie, percussion; John Taylor, piano; Michael Formanek, bass; Peter Erskine, drums; and Marty Ehrlich, reeds.

The great British brass band tradition of excellence shines, as does the improvisatory genius of Kenny, JT, Marty and Michael.

The music is available by individual song file, or as a suite. An added bonus is a trio improvisation of Marty, Michael & myself (“Relativity”). Download the entire concert for $7.99.

Also available are the scores and parts for each of the 11 movements of “Music for Brass & Percussion.”

Many thanks to all of the musicians, and the following:

Peter Erskine

(“Relativity” composed by Marty Ehrlich, Michael Formanek & Peter Erskine. We inserted this into the program to give the brass players a rest …!)

a 90-second audio preview appears below…

Jazz On 3 for BBC Radio 3 commissioned me to compose a suite of music “for brass and percussion” in late 2000. I set to work and came up with 11 pieces for brass (3 trumpets, 3 French horns, trombone, tuba), rhythm section, percussion plus one woodwind soloist. The premiere date was May 25, 2001, and the ensemble was conducted by Mike Gibbs. Soloists included Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Michael Formanek and Marty Ehrlich! The master multitrack tapes were discovered recently, and I had all of the music remixed and mastered to my total satisfaction by Aaron Walk!

The players are: John Barclay (1st Trpt.), Richard Iles (2nd Trpt.), Kenny Wheeler (solo trumpet & flugelhorn); Pip Eastop , Richard Berry & Martin Owen, French horns; Liam Kirkman, trb; Owen Slade, tuba; Colin Currie, percussion; John Taylor, piano; Michael Formanek, bass; Peter Erskine, drums; and Marty Ehrlich, reeds.

The great British brass band tradition of excellence shines, as does the improvisatory genius of Kenny, JT, Marty and Michael.

The music is available by individual song file, or as a suite. An added bonus is a trio improvisation of Marty, Michael & myself (“Relativity”). Download the entire concert for $7.99.

Also available are the scores and parts for each of the 11 movements of “Music for Brass & Percussion.”

Many thanks to all of the musicians, and the following:

Peter Erskine

“When You Are Old” is dedicated to The Hilliard Ensemble, for whom I first wrote the piece at a workshop in Germany. The piece gets its title from the poem by Yeats.

a 90-second audio preview appears below…