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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.
MEETTHEBAND
Matt Gafney - Saxophone
Matthew Thomas Gafney is a saxophonist, clarinetist, flautist, bandleader, and educator. With a classical foundation, degrees in jazz performance from UCLA and CSU East Bay, and a wealth of show band experience, Gafney is a well-rounded musician with passion and expertise in diverse performance settings. Upon relocating from Los Angeles to the Bay Area in 2016, Gafney studied with renowned saxophonist Dann Zinn. He currently plays alto sax, tenor sax, and EWI for local Bay Area bands: Garuda Blue, the West Grand Brass Band, and Sven and the Masterful Orchestra. In addition to his performance engagements, Gafney has a thriving private teaching studio at Ingram and Brauns Musik Shoppe in Pleasanton, CA while also coaching jazz and woodwinds at Alcalanes High School and Amador Valley High School.
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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.
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).
Jordan Nadell - Sousaphone
Arguably the most famous sousaphone player to come out of Truckee, CA in the past 50 years, Jordan Nadell traded in his skis for a horn and began studying tuba performance at CSU Chico under Dr. Lloyd Roby in 2008. After some soul searching in Amsterdam, he wound up in the Bay Area where he obtained a B.A. in Music Composition from CSU East Bay in 2016. Jordan currently resides in Oakland with his wife and dog, where he teaches private lessons, composes, and performs in various bands.
Noah Ortiz - 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.
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 Livermore Valley Opera and Solo Opera, 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. He also makes and repairs drums on the side.
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!