The EVOLUTION of the Brass Quintet

These five brilliant young musicians may have dozens of recitals, a few hundred jazz gigs and countless concerts between them, but they’ve also got style, substance, and a flair for innovation. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2007, The Copper Street Brass Quintet set up shop in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2008 where, through their inventive concerts, engaging classroom programs, and a host of original arrangements, they’ve transcended the brass quintet box and evolved into something fresh.

The CSBQ’s new tour program, “The Evolution of the Brass Quintet”, has been a hit in communities across the country. This exciting show features music from Mozart to Dave Brubeck to Adele, and has wowed audiences with its innovative blend of musical styles and dazzling fusion of electronic effects with breathtaking brass. They pride themselves on shattering the divide between listener and performer with their lively banter and audience interaction, bringing people to their feet from Montana to Massachusetts.

The group has recorded three albums and is featured on two recent holiday CD releases from Minnesota Public Radio. They have appeared live on MPR, KARE 11 news and Montana Today. Their albums, “Copper Street Classics”, “Christmas on Copper Street”, and “The Evolution of the Brass Quintet” feature all-new arrangements of everything from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” to Mozart’s “Queen of the Night” to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”.

As devoted educators, The CSBQ spends much of its time in schools sharing their energy and passion with students from kindergarten to college. With expertise in classroom teaching as well as individual instruction, the group’s dynamic residency packages were a hit with over 4,300 students in 25 schools visited last year alone.

The diverse talents of the quintet members are always in demand, having performed with The Minnesota Orchestra, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, The Minnesota Opera Orchestra, The New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, The Santa Fe Symphony, and the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as Davina and the Vagabonds, Big Walter Smith and the Groove Merchants, and ACME Jazz Company.

From performing at intimate concert series venues to elementary school auditoriums packed with kids, the quintet has seen it all and can do it all. What’s next for this group is anyone’s guess - but chances are you won’t want to miss it!

The CSBQ is: Allison Hall, trumpet & keyboard; Corbin Dillon, trumpet; Timothy Bradley, horn, keyboard, guitar; Alex Wolff, trombone; and Nick Adragna, tuba.

For more information and individual artist bios, visit our Artist Page.

The CSBQ is Artist in Residence at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in downtown Minneapolis.

Our Bio, photo, and other press materials are available for download on our Press Kit Page.