Multi instrumentalist James Stretton is using Christmas to put the final touches to his programmes that will feature in his unique ' Brassed Up!' concerts this coming February.

Looking forward

Jim told 4BR: "I'm really looking forward to the concert tour. I’ll be joined by pianist Iain Jackson, who is also bass trombonist for the City of Birmingham band and I hope to feature even more instruments this year – from piccolo trumpet to tuba!"

The former cornet player with Black Dyke, Grimethorpe and Desford, can usually be seen in his ‘day job’ performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company as well as freelancing around the country.

It's great to be out on the road with our show, which are aimed to bring music to smaller artistic venuesJames Stretton

Artistic venues

Jim added: "It's great to be out on the road with our show, which are aimed to bring music to smaller artistic venues. This makes for an intimate and friendly show, and this is plenty of audience questions and interaction."

Iain is also looking forward to the shows too: "Jim has it easy swapping from trumpet to trombone to french horn to tuba to piccolo trumpet, I'm the one doing all the real work!"

New and old

The 'Brassed Up!' will include many old favourites as well as plenty of new material such as his arrangement of the overture to the ‘Barber of Seville’ arranged 13 brass instruments and piano!

Further details of the tour dates can be found at: http://www.orichalcum-worldofbrass.com/