Bravo the Onyx!
Philip Jones
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One of Britain’s classiest brass acts…stands apart from the rest of the field…holds its own as one of the finest brass groups in the country…audience enjoyment is paramount….If you ever see a concert by Onyx advertised, it is certainly worth a visit to listen to this energetic and dynamic brass group, which is busy attracting audiences to the genre of new brass music.
British Bandsman magazine, England
You have hit the jack-pot with these artists. Our audience just loved them. Almost a week later people are calling me about how much they enjoyed the concert. There were a number if things beyond their impeccable presentation and performance. The group really warmed up the audience at the Pre-concert. At the concert, the patter between numbers was both informative and humorous. Their personalities drew the audience in immediately. Several people remarked about the program which for which we worked together to have a very sophisticated mostly non-transcribed works. It certainly helped to have the composer of some of the works actually present and playing in the concert. Although we cannot guarantee them the thrill of the Miss USA contestants again, we would like to have them back in several years. They were phenomenal.
Holly Thomas, Candlelight
A wonderful experience. The young men were most pleasant, with enthusiastic and upbeat personalities, and their execution of the program was masterful. They took time to explain their music to the audience in a very warm and personable way, and then played it to perfection.
Jeanette Beck, Palm Coast FL, presenter
Onyx Brass has established itself as one of the finest exponents of brass chamber music and education in the UK and this recording affirms their outstanding ability to communicate and perform… Produced by Rachel Smith, this CD captures the intimate, vocal sound of the Onyx players with consistently refined balance and clarity…Each tonally matched fugue in this recording demonstrates that Onyx brass is a combination of musicians who have a unified musical philosophy and skills which together produce an ensemble of rare quality… Onyx Brass is one the finest examples of the British brass quintet, not only perpetuating the traditions and style of the Philip Jones Brass ensemble but also extending the repertoire, aspirations and reputation of brass chamber music.”
Brass Herald on Fugue, late 2008, Kevin Price, Head of Brass RWCMD Autumn 2008