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VIDEOS
MEETTHEBAND
West Grand Brass Band (WGBB) is a group of 6 talented independent musicians that combines the brass band tradition with modern musical styles and timbres. Their music takes the form of an ever changing mix of traditional songs, re-imagined covers, and genre-expanding originals. Based in the cultural hub of Oakland, California, WGBB prides itself in creating a party wherever they perform, from bars and breweries to weddings and parades.
WGBB was originally formed in the summer of 2015 after the founding members marched together in the Carnaval Parade in San Francisco's Mission District with a samba dance troupe called "The Hot Pink Feathers". They developed their sound while busking at Lake Merritt in Oakland, CA, and now perform at a wide variety of events and venues around the San Francisco Bay Area. Visit the "Contact" tab for booking information!
Matt Couzens - Alto Sax
Matt has been playing alto/tenor/
baritone saxophone for over 20 years. He holds degrees in music (classical and jazz) from Santa Rosa Junior College (AA 1998) and Sonoma State University (BM 2000). He also briefly studied post graduate at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. Matt studied saxophone (reading, tone, technique, etc.) with Ralph Carney, Duane Ewing, Ari Camarota, Ernie Small, and Harvey Weinapple. He has also studied jazz improvisation with Bennett Friedman, Jeff Pittson, and Mel Graves. He has toured and recorded extensively.
Chris Lundeen - Trombone
A native of the Pacific Northwest, Chris studied trombone with Ross Holcombe and jazz improvisation with David Fague at Gonzaga University, where he received a minor in jazz studies. In 2015 he was honored as a "Young Giants of Jazz" featured soloist with the Spokane Jazz Orchestra, and he has toured and recorded with a multitude of West Coast ska bands. Outside of music, Chris daylights as a scientist, and holds degrees in chemistry from Gonzaga University (BS, 2015) and the University of Oregon (MS, 2016).
Adam Borden - Trumpet
An East Bay native currently hailing from Oakland, CA, Adam, the lead (well... only) trumpet in WGBB has been playing trumpet since the 4th grade. While in school, Adam led the ACSI California honor bands in both 2002 and 2003, and spent time with the Diablo Wind Symphony and the Concord Blue Devils. His professional career began around 2008 with encouragement and direction for Steve Sage, a local legend who helped raise many Bay Area Musicians. Despite having a number of students and a busy gig schedule, in 2015, Adam graduated from UC Berkeley with a major in Rhetoric and a minor in Music. He is very excited to be a part of WGBB and is looking forward to brilliant future with a great up and coming brass band.
Noah Ortiz - Bass Trombone
Noah has been playing the trombone for over 15 years. He received his BA in Music from Cal State East Bay, where he became close with bandmates Tom and Jordan. Along with WGBB, Noah also performs with bands Shark Punch, Day Labor, Jokes for Feelings, and has the occasional freelance gig.
Jordan Nadell - Sousaphone
Arguably the most famous sousaphone player to come out of Truckee, CA in the last decade, Jordan Nadell traded in his skis for a horn and began studying at CSU Chico. After some soul searching in Europe, he found himself in the Bay Area where he has been performing, composing, and producing for the past 5 years. His hobbies include cooking, yoga, and (like most tubists) drinking.
Tom Dreiman - Drums
Tom Dreiman graduated from CSUEB in December of 2016, where he studied Classical Percussion Performance and Composition with Artie Storch and Jeffery Miller, respectively. Tom regularly performs with community, semi-professional and professional orchestras around the Bay Area, including the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra, Livermore-Amador Symphony, Prometheus Symphony and Oakland Civic Orchestra. Tom teaches the percussion studio and ensemble at Mt. Eden High school and gives private basic piano lessons.
NEWSFEED
NEW SINGLE!
May 1st, 2020
Check out our newest release, a brassified cover of a classic from East Bay legends Green Day - Basket Case! We just happened to finish tracking this in early March, and are stoked to be able to release something new at a time when we can't provide much music to the outside world. Give it a listen and tell us what you think!
Get Off Your Brass!
May 1st, 2023
You may have already noticed that we've been playing a lot of shows at the Boom Boom Room recently, but we're happy to announce that will be continuing! WGBB is heading up the Get Off Your Brass night every 2nd Thursday of the month at the BBR in SF, which will feature a set by yours truly, a set by a different guest artist every month (featuring even more brass), and finally an open brass jam until the end of the night. Bring your horn and come sit in, or just swing by to enjoy from the audience!