Stage Shows
Corporate Events
Special Occasions
503-667-4396
503-357-5029
info















htmlgear

Sluggy

uf

 

 

Meet The Band!

Ever want to know more about the members of Billy's Brass Band? Want to know what kind of music they listen to? What other bands they've played in? What their favorite food is? Want to send them email? Well, here's your chance to learn more than you ever wanted to know about the band.

TRUMPET SECTION

Al

Brand/Model:
Mouthpiece:
Occupation:
Jesuit High School Band Teacher
Email: Alk

Al is one of the funniest people alive. You'll be talking about anything and out of the blue he'll come up with some comment that has you rolling on the floor! He plays the solo in the middle of Over The Rainbow. Each time he does it, he starts off with some other song, like "If I Only Had A Brain" or "Alfie". We never know what he'll play and sometimes he cracks us up so much we can't play! We Love You Al!


Allan

Brand/Model: Bach Strad 37
Mouthpiece: Bach 3C
Occupation: Sells Fireplaces
Email: Allan

Allan is our ad lib solo expert. He has a masters in Trumpet Performance, is an excellent teacher (anyone need some private lessons?), and plays awesome improv solo's! He's been heard several times hitting the mystical Double-C!! ...then he's been seen laying on the ground passed out. hehe

Allan used to be a member of the Bob Miller band and we're really happy we could lure him away to join our group. He also is the choir director of his senagog - OY!


Brad

Brand/Model: Bach Strad 37
Mouthpiece: Monette
Occupation: Banker
Email: Brad

Brad is the unselfish trumpet player in this section - that means he will gladly play the 2nd and 3rd parts, though he has been heard many times hitting a high G on the end of "Louie, Louie", so you know he's got chops! He also helps us keep track of our money, Brad's a banker. Somehow whenever we sing "Hey, Baby", he always ends up having the women sit on his knee. Just another of his many talents. At the Orange County Fair in 2000 he received the nickname of "Woodie". We'll let him explain that to you. LOL!

Brad plays Baritone in the Festival Brass.


Mike

Brand/Model: Callichio
Mouthpiece: Monette
Occupation: Computers
Email: Mikes

Mike has incredible chops! He's one of our lead players and he could play up there in the clouds all day. Just amazing! We usually end our show with "In The Mood" where he's playing the lead solo (Doc's part). He still has plenty of chops to play that high Bb at the end of the song. "We're not worthy! We're not worthy!" Mike runs his own computer business. Mike spent many years in Drum Corps and is very involved with the Northern Lights.

Mike also plays in the Festival Brass.


Rich

Brand/Model: Yamaha YTR-6335HSMV, the Mike Vax model
Mouthpiece: Chase Sanborn 66 made by Gary Ratdke
Occupation: Programmer/Analyst
Email: rich

Rich is also our Webmaster. He's responsible for those photo's of yourself you see on our website. Rich is a computer nerd, a HUGE Jimmy Buffett phan, and loves those Microbrews! Rich and his wife have 3 Pembroke Welsh Corgi's, 2 Quaker parrots and 2 African Grey's.

He also uses BiNaK PRO Valve Oil. "Simply the most awesome valve oil I've ever used! I oil my valves about once a month. When I've had to play in very hot conditions, the other guys were oiling their valves several times a day. I never oiled mine. I think I've got a lifetime supply with one bottle!"


Tim

Brand/Model: Bach Strad 37
Mouthpiece: Monette
Occupation: Band teacher at Centennial Middle School
Email: Tim

Tim is our other lead player who also has incredible chops! Here's something fun about Tim - Trumpet is not his first instrument, Trombone is! He also plays the Triple Bass Drum when our drummer can't make it. He spent many years in Drum Corps and is currently involved with the Northern Lights.

Tim also plays in the Festival Brass.


TROMBONES

Lambert

Brand/Model:
Mouthpiece:
Occupation: Retired band director, by order of his wife.
Email: Lambert

Lambert is a retired band director. He spent many years around Oregon teaching band. Here's some trivia: Lambert was the Rich and Steve's high school band director at Beaverton High School (though many years apart - Steve is old). It's amazing they turned out as good as they did. hehe Lambert is still very much involved with the Portland Rose Festival. He spent a couple years as director of the One More Time Around Again Marching Band. Lambert loves to fish and travel. He has been to Europe and Germany many times. Here's some more trivia: Lambert has twin daughters. One is married to Steve and one to Chris.


Moosey

Brand/Model: Getzen Custom 3047AF
Mouthpiece: Greg Black "Joseph Alessi 4" mouthpiece
Occupation: Owns Safe-N-Sound Insurance
Email: Moosey

Moosey's real name is Mike, but he LOVES Moose's, hence his nickname. When we're on the road he's our aerobic instructor. He owns his own insurance business, and ladies, He's Single!

Moosey also plays in the Festival Brass.


Mike

Brand/Model:
Mouthpiece:
Occupation:
Retired band director
Email: Mikeo


Mike taught in the Portland metro area and still does a lot of private lessons. Many of his students have gone on to be world famous - well, in Mike's mind they have. His son, Toby, is an amazing trombone player - we're still trying to figure out how that happened. Mike is our designated cheapskate. If you ever see himng his wallet, it's usually to put some money IN, you never see anything come out of that. We hear still has the money his parents gave him when he was 5! He used to be such a quiet guy, then after a few years with us he's finally come out of his shell. We keep hoping he'll go back in some day.


Sam

Brand/Model:
Mouthpiece:
Occupation: Engineer at Intel
Email: Sam

Sam is a wild man! Always looking for ways to demolish instruments and make a hat out of them. He plays the big BASS trombone, which has caused him to go back to the gym - that's one heavy horn. We just wish he'd shower after he comes back from the gym. Sam works at Intel.


Ted

Brand/Model:
Mouthpiece:
Occupation: Band teacher at Lake Oswego Middle School
Email: Ted

Ted is another one of our fine band teachers. He's been in music for many, many years, playing his trombone, guitar, and a few other instruments. For awhile, he was in a band playing guitar and traveling around. Then he realized he needed money to buy food, so he became a teacher. Ted teaches at Lake Oswego Jr. High.

Ted also plays in the Festival Brass.


TUBAS

TubaJay

Brand/Model:
Mouthpiece:
Occupation: Engineer at Xerox Color Printers
Email: TubaJay

Jay is an amazing tuba player! He can play fast, loud, and pick up just about any song you throw at him. You want to play something and need a bass line? Just play a little bit of it and he'll figure something out! Jay works at Xerox in their color printer division (formerly Tektronix). They make those really cool Phaser color printers!

Jay also plays in the Festival Brass.

TubaMike

Brand/Model:
Mouthpiece:
Occupation: Photogrammetrist
Email: MStrejc

Mike has been playing Tuba for over 30 years and is a original member of BBB. He loves to work the crowd before each show, he says: "It brings a personal touch to each show" (is that your final answer, Mike?). Mike has to be one of the nicest guys around and is an excellent tuba player helping to give the bass line that fat sound. You may notice that he can't stand still and is always moving in the back row. He's just a big, cuddly, teddy bear - and if you ever saw him without his shirt on, you'd agree!

 

DRUMS

Scott

Occupation: Available Band Teacher
Email: Scott

Scott is the most unreal drummer! I've never seen someone with so much energy, and that's BEFORE he's had his espresso! Scott is another drum corps alumni and recently finished his teaching degree. Anyone need a band director? He does an incredible job of keeping this band together. You're Awesome Dude!!


Steve

Occupation: Band Teacher at Skyview High School
Email: Steve

Steve is the only person in the world to play the dangerous Triple Bass Drums! Well, that is until he can't make it then someone else is the only person in the world to play them. hehe

Steve has been a music teach for many years in the Portland metro area. He also arranges many of our songs. If you really want to get him excited, ask him about Koi.


SAXOPHONES

Chris

Brand/Model:
Mouthpiece:
Occupation: Computer Nerd for Nike
Email: Chris

Chris is a fantastic sax player who can solo with the best of them. The sounds he gets out of his sax just rock the crowd - and us! Chris used to play in the Bob Miller band and convinced Allan to join our band.

 


Phil

Brand/Model:
Mouthpiece:
Occupation: Sales Rep for Beacocks Music
Email: Phil

Phil has some of the funniest hats you'll ever see. He also sings "Riot In Cell Block Number 9" and really belts it out. We love Phil because he works at Beacocks Music and can get us great prices! hehehe He's a fantastic sax player and we're glad to have him.

 


Ruth

Brand/Model:
Mouthpiece:
Occupation: Veterinary Assistant
Email: Ruth

Ruth is the band "Mom", as well as being the only female in the band. Now you'd think that would be a plus, 1 woman and 20 guys, but you haven't seen these guys with their shirts off. She has been told by her eye doctor not to look for more than 5 seconds or she will go blind. She plays a mean sax and has a great sense of humor. You can imagine all the types of jokes with a band full of guys, and she flips it all right back at us! Ruth also made most of the clothes we wear. She works for a veterinarian, has several horses and is just a fantastic lady!


HORNS

Gary

Brand/Model: Kanstul Melophone (or Marching French Horn)
Mouthpiece: Monette
Occupation: Telephone Specialist for Qwest
Email: Gary

Gary has been around. He was in the military and stationed over in Guam or somewhere like that, and has a ton of hilarious stories to tell. He was also a State Policeman (or do they call them Troopers?). He played trumpet for many, many years, then switched to Marching French Horn (Mellophone) for this band. His sound is very pretty and when he plays Over The Rainbow, it is sooooo nice. Gary LOVES to golf, and we do mean LOVES it!

Gary also plays in the Festival Brass.


Troy

Brand/Model: Kanstul
Mouthpiece:
Occupation: Choir Teacher at Skyview High School
Email: Troy

Troy is the young kid of the band. He teaches at the same school as Steve our drummer. He sings a great version of Minnie The Moocher and can play the Marching Baritone quite well. We love to tease him about anything and everything. In 2000 Troy got married just before we went down to the Orange County Fair. He cut his honeymoon short to get meet us down there. Troy, you've got one incredibly understanding wife, don't let her go!


OTHERS

Bill

Occupation: Band Teacher at Columbia River High School (we can't list his other occupations)
Email: Billy

This is THE BILL in Billy's Brass Band. Our founder, our leader, our hero. Bill has been a music teacher in the Portland metro area for many years. He has also owned a travel agency and is responsible for creating the One More Time Around Again Marching Band that march's in the Rose Festival every year.

Bill is one wild man and you never know what he'll do on stage. Heck, we don't even know what he's gonna do! When the show's over, he'd love to talk with you and hear what you thought. But whatever you do, do NOT pull his finger!


Erik

Occupation: Dealer at a Casino, Scuba Instructor
Email: Erik

Erik is our sound guy. He makes sure we sound purdy. When we're not on stage, you can find him dancing around with people from the crowd dressed up as Austin Powers southern cousin, Bubba Powers (has his cousin's mojo with the ladies), or Pee Wee Herman's long lost brother - and Pee Wee wants to keep it that way.


back to home page

Billy's Brass Band Sitemap