Canadian Brass
Websites:Â
https://canadianbrass.com/
Origin:
Toronto, Ontario, 🇨🇦
Biography:
With an international reputation as one of the most popular brass ensembles today, Canadian Brass has truly earned the distinction of “the world’s most famous brass group.”
Friends Chuck Daellenbach and Gene Watts first came together in 1970 to form a brass quintet — a chamber music setting not entirely new, but one that had never before achieved the success and storied career Canadian Brass would go on to enjoy over the next 40+ years. Gene initially took on the role of developing new repertoire, while Chuck focused on marketing, publishing, and managing the business. Three empty chairs were quickly filled, and together, the group’s imagination and consummate musicianship elevated the art of the brass quintet to what it is today.
More than just an ensemble, Canadian Brass saw a challenge: to bring the sound and excitement of brass music to new audiences. Masters of concert presentation, they developed a uniquely engaging stage presence and rapport with audiences. Each concert showcases their full range—from Baroque and Dixieland to newly commissioned works—served up with a mix of formal classical presentation, lively dialogue, and theatrical effects.
The hallmark of any Canadian Brass performance is entertainment, spontaneity, virtuosity and, most of all, fun—but never at the expense of the music. Whatever the style, the music remains central, performed with the utmost dedication, skill, and excellence.
With a discography of over 130 albums and an extensive worldwide touring schedule, Canadian Brass is a pioneer in bringing brass music to mass audiences. They've sold more than 2 million albums globally, including 1.2 million in the Nielsen SoundScan era alone (since 1991). Their 2010 recording Stars & Stripes: Canadian Brass Salute America spent 8 weeks in the Top 25 on the Billboard Classical Chart, peaking at #2.
Touring legends with an enthusiastic fan base, Canadian Brass plays to packed houses across the USA, Canada, Europe, and Japan. They’ve also toured Australia, South America, the Soviet Union, and the Middle East. In a historic moment, they were the first brass ensemble from the West to perform in the People’s Republic of China, and later returned for a 5-city tour in 2010, including a televised performance for over 500 million viewers on Hunan TV during Chinese New Year. They were also the first brass group to perform on the main stage at Carnegie Hall.
Canadian Brass has frequently been invited by the Canadian Government to perform for visiting heads of state, becoming one of the country’s greatest cultural ambassadors.
Millions of television viewers have seen Canadian Brass on shows such as The Tonight Show, Today, and Entertainment Tonight. They have been guest artists on Evening at Pops with John Williams and the Boston Pops, Beverly Sills’ Music Around the World, and numerous PBS specials—including 11 celebrated appearances on Sesame Street. They also contributed to the soundtrack for the 1988 film The Couch Trip, starring Dan Aykroyd and Walter Matthau.
The ensemble has produced a series of concert and educational DVDs and maintains an active presence across digital platforms—offering downloads, YouTube content, smartphone apps, and social media engagement through Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).
Canadian Brass’s repertoire spans brass standards, Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces, Classical works, marches, holiday favorites, ragtime, Latin, jazz, Broadway, and popular songs. They have transformed a previously limited brass repertoire by transcribing, arranging, and commissioning over 600 works from composers such as Michael Kamen, Luther Henderson, Bramwell Tovey, and Don Gillis.
Their famous Holiday Concerts are a highlight of the season, and their research and recordings were instrumental in reviving interest in Scott Joplin’s ragtime music.
Education plays a central role in their mission. Each member is passionate about training the next generation. Canadian Brass often offers masterclasses during tours and has served as Chamber Quintet-in-Residence at the Banff Centre for the Arts and the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara. They’ve also collaborated with El Sistema, the world-renowned music education program based in Venezuela.
In partnership with Hal Leonard Corporation, Canadian Brass has published its extensive music library for performers of all levels. Their “Canadian Brass Book of Beginning/Intermediate/Favorite/Advanced Quintets” series has surpassed 1.5 million copies sold.
With five decades under their belts, Canadian Brass continues to thrill audiences around the world—and shows no signs of slowing down.
Current Members:
Chuck Daellenbach – Tuba (Founding Member)
Joe Burgstaller – Trumpet
Mikio Sasaki – Trumpet
Keith Dyrda – Trombone
Jeff Nelsen – Horn
Representation:
Opus 3 Artists (North America)
MuenchenMusik (Europe)
