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The answer to that question for me would have to be Dr. Brian Bowman. Tell me your thoughts please!

I have met Mr. Colburn. He is a great person and player!

I met Mr. Tropman. Also a nice guy.

The only soloist with an extensive and serious body of work out there is Steve Mead (few others, including the ones mentiond above, have more than a handful of recordings to listen to).

And since he is probably the best all around euphonium player in the world today (others may do certain specific things better, but he has the greatest breadth of musical expression), he is the one I like to listent to the most.

John

JTJ wrote:The only soloist with an extensive and serious body of work out there is Steve Mead (few others, including the ones mentiond above, have more than a handful of recordings to listen to).

That's purely a money issue. I'd be surprised if most euphonium CDs out there generate much more than what money is put into the project to create it. Most players don't have the money and sponsorship to take on many of these CD projects, but Steven Mead has been lucky enough to (besides his wonderful playing ablilties) have sponsors, name recognition, and live in a country where it isn't that far fetched to make a living playing euphonium.

But to answer the original question, I personally think that Steven Mead is a great player, but I find more enjoyment listening to players like Matt Tropman, Mark Fisher, and many more. I hope Jason Ham puts out a CD someday, his playing is so unique and refreshing...just listening to his sound clips and the recording of his recital he gave up here is inspiring.

Mead for sure

David Child's, his dad and uncle, hands down the best in the business.

How about Demondrae Thurman?? He just put out a cd and it is Fantastic!!!!! Also a wonderful guy and a great teacher!!! He also brings new and refreshing ideas to the euphonium world as well!!

****

Simone Mantia

http://www.dillonmusic.com/steve6.html

Simone Mantia.

Several decades back, I went to Duke. Even graduated. Studied with Dr. Paul Bryan, who at 85 still plays a mean euphonium. Paul studied with Simone Mantia, how much and how long I don't know. But he did.

Great music, but of a different era, style and time.

John

I've been arguing the Mead case. But it just occurred to me that everybody, yes everybody, should go buy David Thornton's first cd (this guy will produce a body of work like Mead's over his career), called "Three Worlds." Jaw dropping power euph playing, but with the nuance and musicianship usually lacking in young players. Frighteningly good.

John

Hello all,

I would throw two names out to add to the already wonderful list.

Dan Bentley from the Wright Patterson Air Force Band is an unsung hero of euphonium.

For those who don't know him, Matthew Murcheson is quite something to hear.

This is not to take anything from those already listed. Many wonderful people there.

Tim

Tim Olt wrote:This is not to take anything from those already listed. Many wonderful people there.

It is quite a list, isn't it? Nice to have so many good players to choose from.

JTJ wrote: OK, here's my take:

Bowman -- the most influential & wonderful man in American euphonium establishment. Has made the careers of many, many people. But nothing he has done on cd indicates he is or was among the very best players.

Tropman -- another great player. But what can you tell from two cds about the man as a total musician?

Childs clan -- any of them -- maybe the best in the brass band tradition; maybe better than Mead, but in that style only.

Colburn -- hasn't he hung up his horn for a baton? And is there more than one cd of his out there?

Thurman -- I am looking forward to getting his cd. Withholding judgment until I hear it.

And here's one of my favorites. Morgan Griffiths. Another one cd man. There is more magic in his legato playing, more pure musical expression on that one cd than from any euph player I have ever heard. Period. I would guess, from the cd, he may be the best natural musician among the elite.

Back to Mead. Listen to his serious cds, not the multitracked showy ones. You notice near perfect technique, a beautiful singing style, almost jaunty at times. You hear an intelligence at work to understand the music, not just overwhelm you with the notes.

I've been fortunate enough to have heard all of these aforementioned players live at various conferences and recitals. One hit wonders they are not! These guys can ALL put their money where their mouthpieces are....anytime! All are masters at their art with superb technique and the highest musicianship.

One name excluded from this list is David Thorton, solo euph w/the Black Dyke Band. He also teaches at the RNCM with Steven Mead and I believe has a few solo cd's out as well. Check him out....simply amazing musician.

All of these players are wonderful artists in their own rights. Many of them are cornerstones in euphonium pedagogy as well. To each their own for what player(s) to admire.

Spending a year in the UK, getting to hear players like Steven Mead, David Thorton, David Childs, Morgan Griffiths, and Billy Miller was an amazing experience....and I'm a tuba player! I've even shared the stage with Morgan Griffiths while I was a member of the Fairey Band last year......one word.....stunning.

I highly recommend getting out and hearing all of the greats whenever possible. CD's are nice, but nothing comes close to being in the room with these superb artists!

BTW, enough with Steven Mead being 'lucky'. Mead works his *** off, plain and simple. He's not blessed with 'luck'....he's blessed the desire to work very hard....every day. Talent can only care you so far until the novelty wears off. Then you gotta show what you're really made of. I've seen Steven Mead in action many times and he works harder in one day than most people do all year.

It's not rocket science....it's just the euphonium.

I'd put another word in for Demondrae Thurman. Amazing player.

Would someone explain to me what the difference between Brass Band Euphoniums and the rest of them are? Someone alluded to there being a difference, but I'll be damned if I can think of one. Any one of these fine players mentioned would thrive in a Brass Band. Sorry for the rant.

Chuck

I'll have to put a word in for Adam Frey, clearly young in his career, but an AWESOME player!!!

Morgan Griffiths for me.

I've spent considerable time in bands with Steven Mead (I played on both Oration and Bravura), Morgan Griffiths (2 years 3 times a week at Faireys), Nick Childs (ditto at Fodens/Britannia) and many appearances with Dave Thornton, Bob Childs etc etc.

As a "Brass Band" Euphonium, no one touches Morgan for me. I know some of the US players are fabulous soloists and recording artists, but I doubt any could do what Morgan does IN THE BAND, not just on their feet. Good Euph playing is as much about what you're NOT the soloist in.

And if you want to hear real traditional sounds, dig out anything with Lyndon Baglin, John Clough or Stephen Lord on Black Dyke, Brighouse, Wingates etc from the 60's-80's.

Just my humble opinion.

You may see just the technical aspects when you think about your favorite, and forget the musical aspect a little bit. I've heard Mr. Bowman, Mr.Thornton, Mr.Mead and several others LIVE, and for me it was by far Mr.Mead who is a musician like for example Mr. Vladimir Horovitz. He has a mature in style, diffrence in tone color, beauty in musicality, a wide range in dynamic and perfection in technic! And he has a style. This is my opinion !

Merry christmas!