In this episode I chat to banding icon Ray Farr about his research into the Distin Family and their extraodinary impact on the beginnings of the brass band movement. We discuss the groups origins, tenor horn vs. alto saxhorn, missing testpieces and the wonderful array of instruments being performed at the time. https://www.rayfarr.com/ Podcast musi…

In this episode I chat to researcher and relative of Cora Youngblood Corson, James P Gregory Jnr about her trailblazing and complex life and his ongoing discoveries into her significance in opening doors for women brass musicians. We discuss her enterprising beginnings in Anadarko, her rise to fame, jewel encrusted Euphoniums and much more. The Leg…

In this episode I chat to David Hirst about the origins of the probably the most famous brass band in the world - Black Dyke. We discuss the early contests, instrumentation, local rivalries and some of the legends of the Queensbury band in the Victorian era. The 'Celebrated' Black Dyke Mills book The Heritage Centre Roy Newsome Brass Band Archive…

In this episode I chat to Band Blasts from the Past blogger and postcard collector Jeremy de Korte about his own collection, Australian banding and how these cards and their messages can help us uncover the banding past. Trove - National Library of Australia and partners This episode mentions Aboriginal Mission Bands. This podcast acknowledges Firs…

This episode I chat to founding Director of the Shildon Heritage Alliance CIC and author David Reynolds about the lives and entrepreneurial spirit of two men from a pioneering railway town who went on to create some of the brass band movements most powerful and enduring contest marches - George Allen and Thomas Bulch. The Wizard & The Typhoon websi…

This episode I chat to Director of Percussion at the RNCM Simone Rebello about the history of percussion in UK brass bands. We talk about the journey from solitary timekeeper to incredible virtuoso soloists and vast sections, performing on a wonderful variety of instruments, and the compositions that propelled percussion forward. Simone Rebello web…

This episode I chat to Dr Alex Parker and Eleanor McKenzie from Brass Bands England and Heritage Quay about all things Brass Band Archive. We talk about moving 6 transit vans worth of history, problematic silverware, brass band traffic jams and the mystery of the wax cylinders. The Brass Band Archive Brass Band Archive Blog Archive Catalogue Online…

In this episode I chat to to the incredible Dr. Joanna Ross Hersey about her research into women brass musicians in American music, routes into the profession, the changing political and social settings, all female bands and their inspiring leaders including Helen May Butler and Cora Youngblood Corson. Joanna Ross Hersey website Cora Youngblood Cor…

In this episode I'm chatting with Gavin Dixon about his research into the G Trombone, discussing its origins, instrument manufacture in the UK and beyond aswell traditionalists and revivalists. Gavin Dixon website The Horniman Museum Arnold Myers St. Cecilia's Hall Every episode a portion of the ad revenue is donated to an organisation chosen by ou…

In this episode I speak to band member and archivist Robert Fraser about Whitburn Band's exhibition at the Whitburn Community Museum, some band legends and a few interesting discoveries they made along the way. Whitburn Band website Whitburn Band YouTube Whitburn Community Museum Friends of Whitburn Community Museum The Living Memory Association Ev…

In this episode I speak bandsman and author Chris Ord about his memories and experiences of the Northumberland Miner's Picnic. We chat about band rivalry, the late great Jimmy Shepherd and how to get everyone to be your best mate in the pub on Picnic Day. Every episode a portion of the ad revenue is donated to an organisation chosen by our guest - …

In this episode I speak to researcher Gavin Holman, the owner of Internet Bandsman's Everything Within discussing how band histories are discovered, recorded and saved for the future. We chat about resources available, first contests and a brass band family taking things to a whole new level. Every episode a portion of the ad revenue is donated to …