Since its inception in 1994, the Rainier Brass Quintet has proved itself to be one of the most versatile, entertaining ensembles of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. The ability to cover not only the expected classical repertoire for quintet, but to be equally comfortable with jazz, ragtime, Dixieland, marches, and more, makes the Rainer Brass a musical experience that should not be missed.

The Rainier Brass Quintet's performances have included parks concerts, weddings, church services, private parties, holiday entertainment, and more. The group has worked regularly for clients such as the Seattle Mariners, Seahawks and Sonics, the Out-To-Lunch concert series sponsored by KING FM, 4th of July and Christmas entertainment for IKEA, the Seattle tree lighting at Westlake Center, King County Arts Commission, and many other events both private and public. One of the highlights for the group was performing at the King 5 Winterfest at the Seattle Center prior to the annual Seattle Symphony's holiday concert there.

Take the energy of a second-line brass band, add the blues, jazz standards, and combine this with original compositions and arrangements. Mix well, and what you get is Blues & Brass, a unique sound to the Northwest that has been entertaining audiences throughout the region since 1996.    Blues & Brass starts with the legacy of the great bands of New Orleans and takes the music in its' own direction, adding elements of the soulful sounds of Cannonball Adderley on Mercy, Mercy, Mercy; a nod to the Big Band era and Duke Ellington is combined in It Don't Mean A Thing; on The Preacher, Blues & Brass is firmly planted in the second-line tradition; and, of course, the blues is in good hands with Monk's classic Blue Monk.   In the tradition of New Orleans, Blues & Brass features drums and tuba as its rhythm section, with trumpet, flugelhorn, and trombone on the front line. The band's experience in the jazz idiom, combined with the exuberance they bring to their music, makes Blues & Brass a unique and unforgettable experience.

CLIENT TESTIMONIAL: "Blues & Brass" has been a part of Opening Day and Longacres Mile Day at Emerald Downs for the past four years. We've taken to setting the band up right at the admission gates as a greeting to our customers. There is a real toe-tappin', festive atmosphere every time they play and we see it as the smiling faces come pouring into the track.
Adrian Buchan at Emerald Downs