This web site is dedicated to our founders & dear friends Ray & Nancy Hicks who passed away 07/01/06 & 03/25/07 respectively (the world's a much better place because they were in it)
The Old Arizona Brass Band (Tucson's Historic Brass Band) was founded in Fall of 1996 (first performance early 1997) by Ray Hicks, our long-time bandmaster, friend & mentor to provide a living representation of the military and civilian bands that performed throughout Arizona during the period 1872 to 1912. Our music, uniforms, and instrumentation reflect a transitional point between the all brass "over the shoulder" instrumentation of the Civil War years and the shift to primarily bell-front brass & expanded mix of reed and brass instruments of the modern day concert band. Our instrumention may look more familiar to moderns than a Civil War band, but our frontier sound emphasizing Eb voices in cornet, alto horn, tuba, ( & even clarinet on occasion) probably won't. (Not to mention the oldtimers' love for oompah, snap & military snare that crops up in the strangest places...) When you see & hear the Old Arizona Brass Band, you experience the real music of the military and town bands of the western frontier.
Mostly we stick close to home, Tucson, Arizona, but darned if we don't show up from time to time elsewhere in Arizona & New Mexico as well. You've probably seen us at the 4th Avenue Street Fair, the annual "Civil War in the Southwest" at Picacho Peak State Park, or beside the Ft. Lowell Museum during February's Reunon De El Fuerte. ...Not to mention, recent forays down Tombstone way, at the ranch in nearby Colossal Cave Park, or breaking forth in melody beside Engine #1673 at the restored railroad depot in downtown Tucson (the venerable Old Pueblo). Basically any chance to perform mid to late 19th-century Americana scored for brass band is our meat & potatoes. So, if you're planning a historical celebration, vintage-style ball, fair, festival, concert, etc., sign us up!
*************
In keeping with our educational goals, it is our fond hope that the lists maintained on this website will encourage citizens of the 21st century to discover the riches of 19th-century brass & transition band music while saving confirmed enthusiasts much time & effort. Suggestions & corrections much appreciated.
Our season is winding down, only 2 more performances this spring in Tucson (both are just about a mile apart on the same day):
04/5/08 -- 11:30 AM Presidio Festival (inside the Presidio Museum's plaza, downtown at Church & Washington, 1 block west of Stone & 1/2 block north of Alameda)
04/5/08 -- 3:00 PM 4th Avenue Street Fair (at 5th street & Hoff just East of 4th Avenue & north of 6th street, north of downtown)
Results of our LATEST CONTEST:
Congratulations to Francis Wessbecher & Jan Huber for successfully answering our latest contest question: The revolutionary brass instrument invented in 1810 in Ireland was the keyed bugle! Each will receive a free copy of our audio CD, "Music of the Western Frontier"
Musical instruments were designed to be played, not stored!
Donate your retired musical instruments to the OLD ARIZONA BRASS BAND & we'll put them back to work in our band (our preference) or in the hands of a deserving student (our pleasure). Nothing goes to waste. thank you.
To engage the services of The Old Arizona Brass Band, pursue opportunities for performing with the band, or dialogue mutual swap of 19th century band arrangements, please leave a short message on our contact phone: 520-990-6386 (also, don't store that neglected Eb cornet, piccolo, or whatnot, donate it to the band)
An educational non-profit 501(C)(3) musical organization whose members volunteer their time & talent for your listening pleasure.
Click for
Tucson
Events
Click for: Thomas Eishen Online: featuring truly evocative & striking images of Gettysburg & other civil war battlefields, plus audio "color" by the Old Arizona Brass Band, publications, etc.
CITIZEN - - STAR
HEY PARDNER,
YOU LIKE THIS OLD BRASS BAND MUSIC, BUT DON'T KNOW WHERE TO FIND MORE?
Check out our ever-expanding list of what's "out there" on our RECORDINGS
page.
So much audio & video is available now.
Prepare to be amazed & delighted!!! .
Love music, history & Americana?
Join the Old Arizona Brass Band!
(best way to hear this great old time music is to play it yourself)
... loaner instruments available ...
... weekly rehearsals in Tucson area ...
(love the concept, but not a player? No problem, enlist in our quartermaster corps)
(currently recruiting alternates for 2007-08 season)
Old Arizona 's 3 faces:
1) 4th Cavalry Regimental Band of Ft. Lowell, Arizona Territory`:
1885-1890 Cavalry Band in US Army Blue (20-24 performers) + (non-coms are band officers ready to answer your questions)
2) Townie "Cornet Band":
mid 19th to early 20th century Town Band in Circus Band Red (20-24 performers)
3) Pioneer Ensemble & Pioneer Band: smaller versions of the above to fit special situations (4-12 performers)
