Last month, The Gateways Brass Collective performed a wonderfully moving and innovative recital at the prestigious International Trumpet Guild Conference, held at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. This performance was incredibly special in the fact that this recital performance commemorated the 50th Anniversary of the International Trumpet Guild. The International Trumpet Guild is an international organization of trumpet players. Members include professional and amateur performers, teachers, students, manufacturers, publishers, and others interested in the trumpet. ITG is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization supported by the dues of individual members.

What made this performance special was the fact that 1). This was our first (and hopefully not last) performance at ITG, 2). The GBC was featured in the International Trumpet Guild journal, and 3). We were fortunate to share the stage with the incomparable international soloist, Kearstin Piper Brown!

“The Gateways Brass Collective, resident ensemble of the Gateways Music Festival, unites leading musicians of African heritage to uplift and engage communities. Equally at home in classical, jazz, and contemporary styles, the quintet members have performed with leading ensembles, from the Chicago and Boston symphony orchestras to the Mingus Big Band and The Roots. Experience the power of brass performance in high-energy Times Square.”

-Carnegie Hall

Here we’re performing Jeff Scott’s “Sermon for Saints and Sinners,” which is “…the musical telling of my [Jeff’s] stepfather, Veryl “Farouk” Walker.  It was commissioned by the Atlantic Brass Quintet in 2021 but was a personal and burdensome story, waiting to be discarded from my shoulders for more than 40 years. I thank you A.B. for finding just the right words to guide me to a place where I am more often releasing the burden and less reliving it.The scene is Far Rockaway, Queens in N.Y.C.  It’s 1978 at the beginning of the crack-cocaine era. My patriarch has fallen victim.“