The Heavyweights Brass Band - Don't Bring Me Down

The Heavyweights Brass Band have been making a name for themselves for the past year, with their debut record "Don't Bring Me Down" - an eclectic mix of original jazz tunes and pop arrangements.

The Heavyweights Brass Band are poised to take it to the next level.

Trombonist Chris Butcher and Sousaphonist Rob Teehan stopped by the JAZZ.FM91 studio to tell us a bit about the band and the record.

The band, which also features saxophonist Paul Metcalfe, Trumpeter John Challoner and drummer Lowell Whitty got their start by playing together in another band.

When choosing songs for the record Chris says the band drew from the music they had heard growing up.

Rob feels that playing versions of pop tunes makes their music that much more accesible.

When arranging songs for "Don't Bring Me Down" Rob says a big part of it was making sure the songs kept their integrity, using rhythmic and harmonic ideas to make the song their own rather than changing the melodies and structure.

There are some who may say that what the band is doing with pop music is not jazz. Chris counters that what they're doing is no different than what jazz musicians have been doing since the style was invented

The Heavyweights have really been picking up steam with shows this year at a number of festivals including the TD Toronto Jazz Festival and the Beaches JazzFestival. They're CD release show is planned for September 2nd, 2011 and they expect to embark on a cross-country tour sometime in the near future.

To move forward Chris says the band is trying a number of different things

With everything that's on the go for the band there's obviously a lot to be excited about.

(For more info on The Heavyweights Brass Band and their record "Don't Bring Me Down" click here)