Brett Baker back from solo tour

Written By: Geoff Wolmark Comments: 0

Brett Baker back from solo tour

After a successful concert with the Osaka Harmony Brass Band, which took place on Saturday 26 November, Brett Baker is on his way home.

Brett started his trip six weeks ago in Perth, Australia doing a recital, a workshop and a concert at the University of Western Australia.

"Perth was an awesome experience, and a great start to the tour, as I was able not only to play in a concert with Les Neish and perform the Launy Grondahl Concerto live with the band (which was a new arrangement by Howard Lorriman), play an arrangement of Rhapsody in Blue arranged by Darren Cole but also able to première the Rob Wiffin Concerto for Trombone with WAYO Symphonic Wind Band. It was also good to meet up with old colleagues, including Peter Younghusband (previously the bass trombone player at the Leyland Band), who I was able to stay with whilst in Perth."

From Perth, Brett travelled to Melbourne, then on to Christchurch, to Auckland, and then it was on to Wellington where Brett was met at the airport by Bill Platt who took Brett on a mammoth tour of the south part of the North Island. The final part of the NZ leg was to Wellington for a concert with Porirua Band.

After New Zealand, it was on to Japan.

"Travelling to Japan has been a thrilling experience. After 5 weeks of touring I thought I would be exhausted, but the Harmony Brass Band has made me feel so welcome and given me a bit of down time, it has been an experience I will never forget."

After 80 pieces of music, 20 concerts, 3 recitals, around 20 lessons and 6 workshops Brett is looking forward to a couple of hours' sleep on the aircraft before band practice at Black Dyke on Monday night, when he arrives in Manchester.

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