In fact, I was oblivious to their existence until a friend forwarded me their video for "Lonely Boy" (thanks Wayne!). If you see only one YouTube video this year, make it this one. In an impressive display of teamwork, Leonhard Paul controls the slides of two trombones AND the valves of two trumpets simultaneously, while four of his teammates provide the air support. As if that isn't enough, his chair is removed leaving him supported in midair by the other four players, all the while maintaining both a melody and contrasting bass line. It's a great introduction to Austria's Mnozil Brass.
Founded in 1992, their normal configuration is three trumpets, three trombones and a tuba. In addition, you will see specialty instruments from famed European brass maker Schagerl, including the custom designed "Gansch horn" trumpet featuring rotary valves mounted vertically and a unique upturned bell (sorry, geeking out a bit there).
Besides being incredible instrumentalists, they sing Bohemian Rhapsody in seven-part harmony, whistle (in seven part harmony) and play recorders with their noses (in seven part harmony, of course). Add in the occasional animal sound, percussion toys and carefully choreographed dance routines and you start to get the picture It's as if the horn line from the world's greatest drum corps were also Cirque du Soleil clowns.
Here are some more examples of their style: During their James Bond medley each successive soloist "kills" the previous one, leaving him temporarily immobile on the stage; their extra-fast version of William Tell is blended with Austrian drinking songs complete with actions; and their rock medley opens with the three trumpet players singing the Bee Gees's vocal lines to Stayin' Alive and closes with the classic zombie dance from Thriller.
The leader of this motley crew is Thomas Gansch, one of Europe's leading trumpet players. He plays with symphonies, big bands and small jazz combos. Plus he's a powerful high note player AND an amazing bebop soloist. Gansch alone is worth the price of admission. But my favourite member is actually one of the trombone players, Leonard Paul.
With facial expressions ranging from the doleful to the maniacal, Paul combines an love of clowning with some very serious musicianship on both the slide trombone and bass trumpet. There are amazing videos with just Gansch and Paul, demonstrating incredible teamwork and musicianship. Their incredibly wide-ranging fantasia on "Hey Jude" is at times touching and funny, blending sweet melodies, blistering bop lines, soulful gospel choruses, trumpet pedal notes and awkward dance moves. To find some of them you'll need to search the name "Leonhard Paul", as for some reason they don't always come up with the regular slew of Mnozil Brass videos.
Speaking of videos, there are a number of them on YouTube, including a full 90 minute concert. Unfortunately they rarely tour this sound of the Atlantic, but visit their FaceBook page and sign their guestbook.
If you play a brass instrument, you will love this band. If you are not a musician, you will still come away impressed and happy. The closest I can get to the German pronunciation is "note-ZEELL brauss". But however you say it, they are amazing.
