The Chronicles of Bayer’s Brass Business TEXAS BRASS ENSEMBLE – ESTABLISHED 1986
The Chronicles of Bayer’s Brass Business
TEXAS BRASS ENSEMBLE – ESTABLISHED 1986
Darryl Bayer, trumpeter begins his twenty-first year at the Texas Renaissance Festival this fall, 2006 appearing with the Texas Brass and Herald Trumpets. The Texas Brass performs as you enter the gates on the Gazebo Stage. The Herald Trumpets fanfare the arrival of the knights at the jousting arena and also play a number of weekend weddings beneath the english ivy of the outdoor chapel. From the opening canon to the closing fireworks, you will hear resounding renaissance music and triumphant trumpeting from Texas Brass throughout the day. The following is a chronology of chapters in the career of Darryl Bayer from his first year at the Texas Renaissance Festival to the present time.
In 1986 Bill Hargrave from Kansas City called Darryl to trumpet alongside him at TRF playing at the jousts and chariot races. Immediately following his first year of apprenticeship at the festival, Darryl formed “Heralds for Hire”, an ensemble of two to eight trumpeters appearing in period costumes for events around Houston. They performed numerous times for the Houston Ballet’s Christmas Tree Lighting, Houston Grand Opera Annual Galas and the City of Houston Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremonies from 1986 to 1990. While completing his Masters Degree at University of Houston, Darryl expanded his knowledge base of authenticity in performance studying the music of Biber and Altenberg and completing a ten page research project in the area of renaissance heralding history.
In Austin, establishing themselves at the same time was the Texas Brass Quintet. Darryl auditioned for the group and became a founding member. In 1991, the Texas Brass headquarters were moved to The Woodlands and incorporated under the name Texas Brass Ensemble. By becoming a corporate ensemble, the group was able to flow more easily among genres and membership. In their debut, the Texas Brass performed with sixteen players for the dedication of the Houston Police Department Memorial, in their original quintet configuration for the Houston International Festival, joined Young Audiences of Houston bringing quality education to schools, and entertained at family concerts for Parks and Recreation programs from Galveston Island, up through Friendswood, Clear Lake and Pearland.
Requests for the Texas Brass to play entire concerts of Dixieland music, jazz and funk intrigued Darryl and friend Nelson Hatt (L.A. studio recording trumpeter) so along with Houston drummer, Joel Fulgum and saxophonist Martin Langford they formed one of the first hybrid brass ensembles in America, The Cadillac Brass. Again, this group’s popularity soared after their first concert for the Market Square Merchant’s Association groundbreaking event to revitalize downtown Houston. The Jazz Age Project, sponsored by Young Audiences brought Cadillac Brass into urban schools with their unique program, “A Jazz Odyssey” exposing thousands of students to history and sociology of jazz in America. Cadillac Brass performed twice at Ovations, a respected jazz nightclub in West University/Rice Village area along with receptions and corporate parties.
Texas Brass and Herald Trumpets was the next project on Darryl’s agenda. Feeling that “Heralds for Hire” was too commercial (although some agents still refer them) this more sophisticated name was chosen for the same group and also to tie the trumpets to the corporate identity. With this union, many clients were able to benefit by having Herald Trumpets greet the arrival of guests and Texas Brass perform dinner music. For weddings, Christmas parties, and fund raising gala events, The Texas Brass and Herald Trumpets played it all. At one point, Cadillac Brass, Texas Brass and Darryl Bayer’s solo Herald Trumpet act were all on the Young Audience Roster at the same time. Event coordinators such as Ward and Ames, Best Entertainers and Adams and Green were hiring the Texas Brass (in some form) for events around the state.
It was now time to do something big! Duration of ten years had brought much satisfaction to music lovers of all ages but only within Houston and parts of Texas. In order to reach a global audience, the group would either need to tour or produce a CD. In the light that all current members had established careers in Houston, we opted for the CD. David Kirk, principal tuba for the Houston Symphony was recruited along with cross-over musicians Eddie Lewis, Thomas Hulton and Stephen Hambright. Thomas and Eddie were not only respected jazz and classical brass players but were fine composers looking for an outlet to record their music. With Darryl as producer, they began rehearsals and recitals in preparation for a summer of recording sessions. It was decided early on that the album would have elements of classical and jazz but for marketing to dedicated brass ensemble purists, having a french horn rather than saxophone was more sensible and Alicia Watson was invited to join the team. “Sounds of the South” is a one- of-a-kind CD with music that takes you through a journey of music that remises on the style Texas, Louisiana and Mexico. All songs, except for La Virgin de la Macarena and Amazing Grace are originals by Thomas and Eddie and every one in the group has an opportunity to be showcased in a solo setting.
With airplay on the radio, a soundtrack to an independent movie and an award by K-ARTS the Texas Brass Ensemble had come a full circle. The group was back to the quintet roots of the early days with two trumpets, horn, trombone and tuba. Percussion was preferred by us and especially when promoting “Sounds of the South”. The group played back-to-back New Year’s Eve at the Cynthia Mitch Woods Pavilion and New Year’s Day for the opening of the Main Street Houston Light Rail Inauguration. The group also performed at the Red Hot and Blue Festival in The Woodlands and at Minutemaid Park for George Bush Sr. eightieth birthday party.
The future of Texas Brass Ensemble, Inc. includes two new CDs, an all renaissance album and a Christmas collection. The new TBQ (Texas Brass Quartet) features young talented musicians from Rice University and Darryl will continue to promote his solo and chamber music career with a passion. The Cadillac Brass, Texas Brass and Herald Trumpets continue performances throughout the year with High School and College Master Classes, education programs in grade schools, recitals, church ceremonies and events requiring dynamic brass musicians for excitement, entertainment and excellence.
For CD sales and booking information please call: 281.367.7112 or visit the Texas Brass website: www.texasbrass.com
TEXAS BRASS ENSEMBLE – ESTABLISHED 1986
Darryl Bayer, trumpeter begins his twenty-first year at the Texas Renaissance Festival this fall, 2006 appearing with the Texas Brass and Herald Trumpets. The Texas Brass performs as you enter the gates on the Gazebo Stage. The Herald Trumpets fanfare the arrival of the knights at the jousting arena and also play a number of weekend weddings beneath the english ivy of the outdoor chapel. From the opening canon to the closing fireworks, you will hear resounding renaissance music and triumphant trumpeting from Texas Brass throughout the day. The following is a chronology of chapters in the career of Darryl Bayer from his first year at the Texas Renaissance Festival to the present time.
In 1986 Bill Hargrave from Kansas City called Darryl to trumpet alongside him at TRF playing at the jousts and chariot races. Immediately following his first year of apprenticeship at the festival, Darryl formed “Heralds for Hire”, an ensemble of two to eight trumpeters appearing in period costumes for events around Houston. They performed numerous times for the Houston Ballet’s Christmas Tree Lighting, Houston Grand Opera Annual Galas and the City of Houston Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremonies from 1986 to 1990. While completing his Masters Degree at University of Houston, Darryl expanded his knowledge base of authenticity in performance studying the music of Biber and Altenberg and completing a ten page research project in the area of renaissance heralding history.
In Austin, establishing themselves at the same time was the Texas Brass Quintet. Darryl auditioned for the group and became a founding member. In 1991, the Texas Brass headquarters were moved to The Woodlands and incorporated under the name Texas Brass Ensemble. By becoming a corporate ensemble, the group was able to flow more easily among genres and membership. In their debut, the Texas Brass performed with sixteen players for the dedication of the Houston Police Department Memorial, in their original quintet configuration for the Houston International Festival, joined Young Audiences of Houston bringing quality education to schools, and entertained at family concerts for Parks and Recreation programs from Galveston Island, up through Friendswood, Clear Lake and Pearland.
Requests for the Texas Brass to play entire concerts of Dixieland music, jazz and funk intrigued Darryl and friend Nelson Hatt (L.A. studio recording trumpeter) so along with Houston drummer, Joel Fulgum and saxophonist Martin Langford they formed one of the first hybrid brass ensembles in America, The Cadillac Brass. Again, this group’s popularity soared after their first concert for the Market Square Merchant’s Association groundbreaking event to revitalize downtown Houston. The Jazz Age Project, sponsored by Young Audiences brought Cadillac Brass into urban schools with their unique program, “A Jazz Odyssey” exposing thousands of students to history and sociology of jazz in America. Cadillac Brass performed twice at Ovations, a respected jazz nightclub in West University/Rice Village area along with receptions and corporate parties.
Texas Brass and Herald Trumpets was the next project on Darryl’s agenda. Feeling that “Heralds for Hire” was too commercial (although some agents still refer them) this more sophisticated name was chosen for the same group and also to tie the trumpets to the corporate identity. With this union, many clients were able to benefit by having Herald Trumpets greet the arrival of guests and Texas Brass perform dinner music. For weddings, Christmas parties, and fund raising gala events, The Texas Brass and Herald Trumpets played it all. At one point, Cadillac Brass, Texas Brass and Darryl Bayer’s solo Herald Trumpet act were all on the Young Audience Roster at the same time. Event coordinators such as Ward and Ames, Best Entertainers and Adams and Green were hiring the Texas Brass (in some form) for events around the state.
It was now time to do something big! Duration of ten years had brought much satisfaction to music lovers of all ages but only within Houston and parts of Texas. In order to reach a global audience, the group would either need to tour or produce a CD. In the light that all current members had established careers in Houston, we opted for the CD. David Kirk, principal tuba for the Houston Symphony was recruited along with cross-over musicians Eddie Lewis, Thomas Hulton and Stephen Hambright. Thomas and Eddie were not only respected jazz and classical brass players but were fine composers looking for an outlet to record their music. With Darryl as producer, they began rehearsals and recitals in preparation for a summer of recording sessions. It was decided early on that the album would have elements of classical and jazz but for marketing to dedicated brass ensemble purists, having a french horn rather than saxophone was more sensible and Alicia Watson was invited to join the team. “Sounds of the South” is a one- of-a-kind CD with music that takes you through a journey of music that remises on the style Texas, Louisiana and Mexico. All songs, except for La Virgin de la Macarena and Amazing Grace are originals by Thomas and Eddie and every one in the group has an opportunity to be showcased in a solo setting.
With airplay on the radio, a soundtrack to an independent movie and an award by K-ARTS the Texas Brass Ensemble had come a full circle. The group was back to the quintet roots of the early days with two trumpets, horn, trombone and tuba. Percussion was preferred by us and especially when promoting “Sounds of the South”. The group played back-to-back New Year’s Eve at the Cynthia Mitch Woods Pavilion and New Year’s Day for the opening of the Main Street Houston Light Rail Inauguration. The group also performed at the Red Hot and Blue Festival in The Woodlands and at Minutemaid Park for George Bush Sr. eightieth birthday party.
The future of Texas Brass Ensemble, Inc. includes two new CDs, an all renaissance album and a Christmas collection. The new TBQ (Texas Brass Quartet) features young talented musicians from Rice University and Darryl will continue to promote his solo and chamber music career with a passion. The Cadillac Brass, Texas Brass and Herald Trumpets continue performances throughout the year with High School and College Master Classes, education programs in grade schools, recitals, church ceremonies and events requiring dynamic brass musicians for excitement, entertainment and excellence.
For CD sales and booking information please call: 281.367.7112 or visit the Texas Brass website: www.texasbrass.com
posted by Darryl Bayer at 1:52 PM
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