Montreal-based brass-quintet Buzz Brass made a stop in Stettler on Dec. 3 as part of Stettler Variety Showcase’s (SVS) 2023-24 lineup.
The group performed two shows, one at 1:30 p.m., and another at 7 p.m.
According to Sylvain Lapointe, Buzz Brass’s founder, the program for the Stettler show was a “prairie special” made up of two different programs that wouldn’t necessarily go together.
In the first half of the program, the band played pieces from famous composers, such as Johann Sebastian Bach and Franz Liszt.
“Bach was not famous during his lifetime,” said Lapointe, noting that he had composed over 1,000 pieces of music.
The entire show, mixed in between the songs, was filled with musical insights and fun facts.
Lapointe even spoke about how the band got its name, to do with the buzzing sound that the artist is required to make with their lips to make noise with the instrument.
In the second half of the show, the group moved into some holiday favourites, such as “Christmas Time is Here” and the band’s version of “The 12 Days of Christmas.”
The group is made up of Jason De Carufel, on trombone; Pascal Lafreniere, on horn; Sylvain Arseneau, on bass trombone; Sylvain Lapointe, on trumpet; and Frederic Gagnon, who played principal trumpet.
Buzz Brass is currently celebrating its 21st season performing together and has several shows booked in the province.
In between the two performances, around 250 tickets were sold.
The next SVS show will take place on Jan. 28, 2024, when husband and wife duo Charms take the stage.