About
Redbridge Brass
Redbridge Brass was formed as a youth band in the late 1960s by John Ridgeon as part of the Redbridge Music Service. It became independent from RMS in 1972 having progressed from competing in the youth section to the second section of the National Brass Band Championships. Over the past five decades the band has become a formidable force in the brass band world with numerous accolades on the contest and concert stage. They have claimed the London and Southern Counties Championship title an impressive fourteen times and graced the iconic stage of the Royal Albert Hall eighteen times for the National Brass Band Championships, most recently in 2022.
Beyond the competitive stage, Redbridge Brass has performed at many prestigious concert venues and events including Trafalgar Square for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Torch Relay Ceremony, Glastonbury Festival with the chart topping band Hot Chip, West Ham United for their Remembrance and Christmas matches. The band have also performed for members of the royal family at events such as the opening of Broadgate Circle and even on the back of a flatbed truck for a Prince’s Trust event at Brands Hatch!
The band has also featured on the Olivier stage at the National Theatre for a twenty-one night run of ‘Brassed Off!’, as well as on screen in the BBC two part adaption of ‘The Lost World’ with Bob Hoskins and James Fox, and the ITV drama ‘Promoted to Glory’ starring Kevin Whately and Ken Stott.
The band consistently delivers high quality performances to packed venues across London including the Royal Albert Hall and Cadogan Hall. In the capable hands of Alan Duguid, the band made its concert debut at Thaxted Music Festival in 2014. Concerts have also featured world renowned soloists such as Philip Cobb, Denis Wick, Mike Lovatt, Andy Wood and The Philip Jones Brass Ensemble. Throughout it’s history Redbridge Brass have sold CDs across the world. Under John Ridgeon, they recorded ‘The Redbridge Phenomenon’ (1973), John Clark brought to life the ground breaking jazz inspired album 'Close Enough for Jazz' (1994), and under Melvin White came the triple CD pack called ‘Music From The Bandstand (2003).
The baton has passed through many skilled hands throughout the band’s history including Ray Farr, Graham Chambers, John Clark, Graham Wilson, Jeremy Wise, with each contributing to the band’s major contesting successes. The band has also had the privilege of working with many esteemed guest conductors including Geoffrey Brand, Edward Gregson, Rob Wiffin, Frank Renton and David Thornton.
Noteworthy contest victories in the 90s under Melvin White solidified the band’s stature, boasting five consecutive Area wins. Jeremy Wise took the band to a personal best placing at the Grand Shield in Blackpool and the invitation only All England International Masters contest held at the Cambridge Corn Exchange. The return of Jeremy Wise in 2016 propelled the band back to the National Finals in 2017, setting the stage for Chris Bearman’s appointment in 2021.
Under Chris’ direction Redbridge Brass not only triumphed at the Areas and headed back to the National Finals, but also earned promotion to the Grand Shield in Blackpool and critical acclaim for the band’s innovative iBand concept at Brass in Concert contest at The Sage in Gateshead.
The band has recently made their home back at Redbridge Music Service, marking their return to the heart of music within the borough of Redbridge.
With a legacy built on passion, dedication and a commitment to musical excellence, Redbridge Brass continues to be a driving force in the world of brass band music.
