BBC Radio 2 and brass bands around the ex-British Empire

[Nightjar_Jonathan]

Dear Banders,

I am producing a follow up to the BBC Radio 2 series Brass Britain, for broadcast this July, about brass band culture around the former British Empire.

The series will look at the historical story of brass bands in each territory - how were brass bands introduced, what local flavour if any did they have? - and also look to see the role that brass music has in contemporary culture, what role it plays in the social context of these countries, and whether it has become a part of modern musical hybrids or remains mainly ceremonial music.

So far we are planning to look at India (also mentioning the Gurkhas and Nepal), Malta, the Middle East (although the scene there is mostly drum and bagpipe bands that grew out of brass bands under the British Mandate), the Caribbean and West Africa.
As a trumpet player (but not a bander for many years), I know that the community is the best place to tap into a wealth of knowledge about the subject, so I would be very happy to hear from any forum members who know about brass culture in any countries of the former Empire, either from first hand experience or through family / fellow musicians. We would also be very happy to hear of new suggestions for territories, contacts, or thoughts of any kind from any forum member who finds the topic of interest.

Thank you in advance and all the best
Jonathan Walton

Producer
Nightjar
http://www.nightjar.co.uk
+44 7932 036099

[Nightjar_Jonathan]

ps please contact me via email as I will be travelling a lot over the next few weeks: my personal mail is
lemez9 at gmail dot com

[jenhunt]

I'm afraid I can't help, but please let us know when it airs as I'd be really interested to listen!