669185469998

Way Up

Wild Iris Brass Band

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Format: CD

Cat No: EUR0451

PRE-ORDER: This item will be shipped with the aim to deliver on release day.

Release Date:  10 October 2025

Label:  Ear Up Records / A-Train

Packaging Type:  Slip Sleeve (CD or Vinyl)

No of Units:  1

Barcode:  669185469998

Genres:  Jazz  Big Band  

  • Description

    The Wild Iris Brass Band brings infectious joy to the brass band tradition with a sound that's both deeply rooted and boundary-pushing. This Nashville-based collaboration between three-time GRAMMY winner Jeff Coffin (Dave Mathews Band, Bela Fleck & The Flecktones) and sought-after trombonist Ray Mason (Lauren Daigle, Elvis Costello, Antibalas, Bruno Mars) was born from pure spontaneity - a surprise birthday performance that evolved into something magical.

    Their debut album Way UP captures the band's irrepressible spirit, blending Now Orleans brass tradition with global influences spanning Afrobeat, Brazilian carnival, jazz, funk, and their Tennessee roots. The music feels both sophisticated and scrappy, timeless yet current; the Wild Iris Brass Band creates music that extends the brass band canon into thrilling fresh territory while never losing sight of the pure, breathtaking joy that started it all.

    "Contrary to the wildness in their name, this totally professional, polished-sounding band plays meticulous arrangements of tunes of all genres. Notably, Dolly Parton's '9 to 5' is given a novel treatment, but you hear it and think, well, why not? The horn parts are simple but strong, with multi-instrumentalist Coffin leading on various saxophones, and a particularly solid trombone sound from Ray Mason. There's a sousaphone too, and the whole album offers an element of irresistible, fun." - **** Victoria Ingham, Jazzwise

    Jeff Coffin: soprano, tenor, baritone, electro-sax, clarinets, vocals
    Ray Mason: trombone, vocals
    Emmanuel Echgem: trumpet, vocals
    Jovan Quallo: alto sax, vocals
    Neil Konouchi: sousaphone, vocals
    Justin Amaral: drums
    Ryoko Suzuki: tambourine, vocals
    Plus guest: Bela Fleck, Bob Lanzetti, and Steven Bernstein

  • Tracklisting

      Disc 1

      Side 1

      • 1. We're The Wild Iris
      • 2. 9 to 5
      • 3. Eye Of The Cyclops
      • 4. Bramble Ramble
      • 5. Steppin' Up
      • 6. The Slow Express
      • 7. Let It Slide
      • 8. To The Bone