City of Coventry Brass, under their MD Stephen Cooper, recently helped to open the popular Simmer Down Festival, Birmingham’s biggest free international reggae festival held in the city’s Handsworth Park.

Spice Roots

Performing on the main stage, the band gave the world premiere of ‘Spice Roots’, written by their flugel horn player Clara Catt, who has just graduated from Birmingham Conservatoire and had been commissioned by the Festival organisers to compose the opening piece, ‘Spice Roots’.

Exotic

Clara told 4BR that the work had been inspired by the routes covering many continents and countries that the exotic spices take on their way to international markets.

"The first movement titled ‘Opening’, is just that. It begins in a typical brass band style and interweaves into a flowing Bhangra, whilst the second movement is slower, entitled ‘Spiritual’.

This combines the ideas of spirituality throughout all cultures — with a brass band connection to our history of playing hymn tunes.

It combines the idea of a brass band hymn with a gospel type tune including world instruments such as bongos and maracas."

the work had been inspired by the routes covering many continents and countries that the exotic spices take on their way to international markets4BR

ska

Clara added: "The third movement, titled ‘Encore’ is an upbeat finale to complete this short suite and encapsulates ideas of reggae, ska and German oompah!

It also represents the cross cultural idea of music for a celebration and the prominence of brass instruments in these genres."

Wide range

Musical Director Stephen Cooper told 4BR that the band certainly enjoyed playing the new composition. "We were delighted to be able to perform Clara’s repertoire and continue the bands tradition of performing the widest range of music."