With war time and revolutionary origins, the blossoming of the brass band dates back to Britain during the Napoleonic Wars. The popularity continued on through the veterans making their way home in the early 1800s. Over time the brass band evolved to include more instruments and became a fixture in parades and notably made a splash on the streets of New Orleans. 

With an ensemble made up of tubas, trombones, cornets, multiple kinds of horns, euphonium, and trumpets, today’s brass band takes on many forms. But no matter how it’s showcased, each gives off an energetic style meant to get you moving.

In addition to a variety of brass ensembles in the area, you’re sure to get a dose of big band energy by booking a ticket to Meredith Willson’s six-time, Tony Award-winning musical comedy, The Music Man. It’s in Denver for only five shows — February 27, 28, and March 1. So whether you want to see “Seventy-six Trombones” at the Buell or around town, Winter in the Mile High City is ready to toot its own horn.

The Denver Brass

Since 1981 The Denver Brass has brought a specialized brass chamber ensemble to the city, thanks to founders Kathy and Chuck Brantigan. Today the group shines throughout the United States with 21 musicians. Don’t expect run-of-the-mill shows either, using an array of modern techniques the group elicits specialized sounds showcasing not only the power of brass, but the innovative uses of the tools as well.

Each season the group performs from November to May, showcasing up to five local concerts of original compositions at venues around town. Coming up you can catch Rhythms of the Cosmos on February 7, Celtic Mania on March 7 and 8, and Pulse of America on May 17. The Denver Brass also has more than 30 recordings and often gets played on the radio.

Guerrilla Fanfare Brass Band

Sousaphone player Zach Brake started Guerrilla Fanfare Brass Band in 2015, and it’s been playing traditional jazz, pop music, and original scores ever since. The group performs all around the state, making music in schools, at pop-up events in the airport, parades, and more. Brake himself is a band teacher in Mapleton Public Schools and conducts the Skyview Symphonic Band. He also teaches 6th grade beginning band, serves as director of the Jazz Studies program, including the Mapleton Jazz Messengers and the Jazz Lab.

Listen to the band’s music on the website or catch a show around town. 

Rocky Mountain Brassworks

Officially Rocky Mountain Brassworks started in 1978, and since 1991 it has performed across the front range, notably for the Lord Mayor of London and Princess Ann at a British Faire in Denver, and for Pope John Paul II during the opening of mass on World Youth Day in 1993. 

Sporting a mix of traditional instruments such as the flugelhorn, trombone, cornet, tuba, euphonium, and more, the British-style brass band continues to go strong today. It’s led by music director and trombonist Ron Argotsinger, who has over 30 years’ experience playing and teaching music. The next show is a Celtic tribute on March 7 at the Broomfield Auditorium. 

Badda Boom Brass Band 

Get a dose of New Orleans brass band right in Denver. Badda Boom Brass Band started in 2015, and for over 10 years has brought its eclectic tunes around town. Think dance party meets brass meets modern jazz. Find Badda Boom next month at Bierstadt Lagerhaus, BurnDown Denver, and Diebolt Brewing. 

Aries Brass Quintet

Check out the side project by five of The Denver Brass’ core musicians who have created a recital ensemble called Aries Brass Quintet. The group features Denver Brass’ core musicians including David Artley and Sean Schafer Hennessy on trumpets, Susan McCullough on the horn, Joseph Martin doing the trombone and euphonium, and Bud Holmes on tuba.

Also simply called Aries, the group launched independently in 1977, overseen by Jim Harvey. When Kathy Brantigan came on as a tubist in the 1990s, Aries moved into the fold of The Denver Brass. The group became inactive in 2011, but now, with the 45th anniversary of The Denver Brass, it’s back.