Search - The Westwind Brass Quintet, Rafael Mendez, Francisco Lopez Capillas :: Music of the Californias

America is a rich and varied country with a cultural mosaic that draws from all nations. Westwind Brass (WWB) has tapped into this wealth to present a sampler of musical Americana. A single CD can only begin to scratch the surface of the music of America, but it is a joyful scratching! Westwind Brass mission as a professional touring, recording and teaching ensemble is to foster international awareness and appreciation of brass chamber music as a challenging, dynamic and exciting art form. The ensemble has been acclaimed by the Los Angeles Times, and others for virtuosity, musical integrity, and diverse programming. Westwind Brass is nationally recognized for its critically acclaimed concerts across the United States, prizes in international competitions, and educational performances at conventions, universities and secondary schools. ABOUT THE ARTISTS Barry Perkins - trumpet
Mr. Perkins is from Irvine, California. He has been Assistant Principal Trumpet in the Mexico City Philharmonic since January of 1991. He has also performed with the State of Mexico Orchestra, Mineria Symphony Orchestra, U.N.A.M. Orchestra, Boston Civic Orchestra, and the Boston Philharmonic. In addition to years of freelance work, Mr. Perkins has recorded with Eduardo Mata, Bill Broughton, Paul Freeman, Daniel Catan, and others. Mr. Perkins's principle teachers include William Perkins, Dr. Richard Birkemier, and Charles Schleuter of the Boston Symphony. He received his education at the New England Conservatory. John Wilds - trumpet
Mr. Wilds is a native of Seattle, Washington. He received his earliest musical training from his father on the highland bagpipes. Later Mr. Wilds' musical training took him to Central Washington University and Indiana University School of Music. John has held positions as principal trumpet in the New Mexico Symphony and the Mississippi Symphony before joining the San Diego Symphony. John is currently principal trumpet with the San Diego Opera Orchestra, San Diego Chamber Orchestra, second trumpet with the San Diego Symphony and has been a frequent substitute with the San Francisco Symphony and Los Angeles Philharmonic. Mr. Wilds has recorded for EMI, RCA, Naxos and Koch International. Barry Toombs - horn
A a native of Galveston, Texas, Mr. Toombs holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Albany. He is currently a member of the San Diego Chamber Orchestra and also performs with the Starlight Musical Theatre, San Diego Symphony, San Diego Opera Orchestra, and SONOR the contemporary chamber ensemble at University of California San Diego. Barry has recorded for RJR Digital, Good Vibrations and Bonneville Classics. Richard Gordon - trombone
He is a native of San Diego, CA, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from San Diego State University. He is currently a member of the San Diego Opera, and performs regularly with the San Diego Chamber Orchestra, California Ballet Company, Starlight Musical Theatre, SONOR the contemporary chamber ensemble at University of California San Diego, and in the commercial recording studios. Mr. Gordon has also performed many seasons with the San Diego Symphony. He has performed internationally with the Orquestra de Baja California, the St. Moritz Festival Orchestra in Switzerland, and most recently with the Sierra Brass in Japan. Mr. Gordon also composes, arranges, and plays specialty bass trumpet for the Clarion Trumpet Ensemble. Brent Dutton - tuba
Brent Dutton, a native of Canada, is a musician of diverse interests and pursuits. He has an amalgam of careers as composer, performer, teacher, arranger and conductor. His musical studies began at age nine in his native Canada. He began composing at age ten and attended the Royal Conservatory of Music while still in highschool. Prof. Dutton has an extensive list of publications and performances in North America and abroad. He has published over 50 works for a wide array of instruments and