Mnozil Brass How come?

    In 2001 a young woman called Ruth Haas came from her native Switzerland to Dobcross (Saddleworth) to settle down and join an English Brass Band. She eventually joined the Diggle Band. Little did she realise at the time but this was going to change Brian Taylor's outlook on brass groups for the rest of his life. Brian, soprano cornet and founder and leder of Diggle Band quickly became good friends with Ruth as she like him was totally dedicated to the "cause". On her trips back home to see her family Ruth would bring him CD's of various European Brass groups. On one such trip she brought him a CD of an Austrian group called Mnozil Brass. Brian was completely knocked out with the sounds he heard and with the help of Ruth and Peter Frank, a Swiss Music Publisher, acquired the full set. His admiration for Mnozil Brass was complete when he realised they used no music or conductor and when the group appeared at the Royal Albert Hall in October 2004 Brian breached the security to go and introduce himself to them. From that moment on they have become very good friends and Willi Brandstoetter, Mnozil’s Manager calls him ‘our English Manager’ (unpaid of course). Last year together with Ruth and Peter Frank a trip to Switzerland was organised for a group of seventeen people including the legend cornet players James shepherd, Peter Teal, and David Pogson. The five day trip besides seeing some fantastic scenery also took in two Mnozil live concerts and heavy socialising with the boys afterwards. Jim, Peter and David were astounded at what they heard and saw for: not only are Mnozil superb brass players they are the complete act, singing dancing playing recorders up their nose etc. Brian knew in the bottom of his heart that his banding career (53yrs) would not be complete unless he brought these marvellous musicians to the Mecca of Brass Banding in the North West: the Uppermill Civic Hall. The rest, as they say is history. Mnozil Brass is appearing at the Civic Hall Uppermill on Friday 2nd May.

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