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Reviews:

Faith Encounter
Brett Baker (Trombone) with Boscombe Band of The Salvation Army

This new release from Polyphonic sees Brett Baker team up with his friends at Boscombe Citadel Band under the baton of Howard Evans.

The opening track, Intrada: To a God Like This (Larsson), sets the standard for the CD and the band immediately impresses with its warmth and breadth of sound. Brett's first solo offering is Sarah, which is dedicated to Mrs. Baker and played with the warmth and expression that one would expect. Kevin Norbury's Flourish for Trombone is a far spikier affair initially, but the band and soloist more than rise to the challenge. Band and soloist let their hair down in Barrie Gott's Up Yonder, before getting stuck into the heart of the recording.

The main offering is Ray Steadman-Allen's Faith Encounter, a new and most welcome addition to the repertoire. Although quite demanding in terms of stamina and technique, band and soloist take the challenges in their stride. The music tells the story of a pilgrim, who has his faith tested and strengthened through experience, and it passes through a wide range of styles and moods before ending in a bravura style.

Not to be outdone, the Boscombe trombone section gives a beautifully sustained reading of From That Sacred Hill. Another jewel on this CD is Broughton's Variations on Nicely Saved, which is a real vehicle for the band to display some neat ensemble playing and a beautifully restrained sound.

Brett shows his lyrical side in the final two solo contributions - Redhead's Whisper a Little Prayer and Kurt Weill's My Ship. Again, Brett shows that there are few who can match his control and ability to get to the heart of a melody.

This recording finds Brett and the Band on top form, delivering a varied, musical and well-prepared programme. A very engaging listen from start to finish!

Chris Thomas
British Bandsman, Saturday 2nd December 2006

Please see below to read reviews about my latest release Monument:

CD REVIEW : MONUMENT November 2004

Brett Baker, Trombone

Accompanied by The Black Dyke Band

Conductor Nicholas Childs

Review By Andrew Justice

The term ‘virtuoso’ has been devalued in recent years by being applied to assorted undeserving players and groups. This CD redresses the balance, certainly in terms of trombone playing in general, and within the brass band movement specifically.

Brett Baker, Principal Trombone of the world famous Black Dyke Band (which consummately accompanies Brett on most tracks of this CD), and a world-travelled soloist in his own right, has released his latest collection of solos which he describes as a tribute to the various individuals and groups that have contributed to his career as a trombonist with such groups as the National Brass Band of Great Britain, Forest of Dean Band, The Fairey Band, Flowers Band, and since 2000, Black Dyke Band.

The title track Monument, submitted by the young composer / tubist Marc Owen for the Leeds University / Black Dyke Band Composer’s Competition in 2001, immediately establishes Brett in the class of a virtuoso, providing ample room for his technical skills, sound concept, range, and the immaculate style for which he is well-known. Further virtuosic solos such as the old cornet solo Hailstorm (complete with triple-tonguing polka!), played here as if designed for the trombone, Ivor Hodgson’s Sonata, Earth’s Fury by Paul Lovatt-Cooper, all remind the listener that this is an exceptional talent being displayed.

Lighter in nature, but nonetheless in turn displaying the virtuosic elements of Brett’s playing listed above, such gems as Dorsey’s Trombonology, Bill Geldard’s arrangement of Dark Eyes, Pryor’s Thoughts of Love, A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (arranged by Howard Snell), and Peter Graham’s The Name all provide variety and highlights of their own.

By way of change, Brett has teamed up with the 2 other permanent members of the Black Dyke Band trombone section, together with co-principal Paul Woodward, to record the Gareth Wood Four Pieces for Four Trombones, a gentle reminder of the rarely-heard trombone choir concept.

For all aspiring trombonists within the brass band and related fields, this is essential listening to discover how far forward Brett has placed the finishing line, for those who think brass band trombonists still feature The Acrobat in their repertoire, this will be a shock for you!

Andrew Justice