Brett started playing trombone with Bream Band in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. At thirteen he moved to Lydbrook Band, and was taught by Robert Morgan and Ken Harmon. At sixteen he joined the Flowers Band, and the National Youth Brass Band where he served two years as principal trombone.

In 1992 Brett moved north to Salford University to read Business Economics, his teachers prior to this move were Steve Walkley and Lyndon Baglin. He became a finalist in BBC's Young Musician of the Year, and soon joined the famous William's Fairey Band. Brett was again a finalist in the British Open Solo Championships in 1992 and 1993, becoming Trombone Solo Champion in 1993 and 1994. Brett became the trombone tutor at University College Salford from 1993-1996 studying under David King and also became trombone tutor of the Northern Brass Band Trust in Durham.

It is during his stay in Manchester that he established a reputation as one of the finest players of his generation. During his time at Fairey's he won the British Open, the National and European Championships; the North West Area and the All England Masters between 1993 and 1996. Brett also won the Brass in Concert entertainment contest at Spennymoor in 1996 where he was the featured soloist. In the same year he was awarded performer of the year at Fairey's for his achievements as a soloist.

As well as a hectic playing schedule Brett enjoys presenting workshops and lectures around the world and has gained a reputation as one of Europe's premier soloists and teachers. In 2001 he created the Musicians Resourcing Network to facilitate the education of young brass players, and provide an opportunity to promote brass soloists around the UK.

As a brass clinician Brett has travelled from Ecuador to Canada, from New Zealand and Australia to most of Europe. Brett has given workshops and recitals at Birmingham Conservatoire, Leeds University, The National Arts Club, New York, the New York Brass Conference, Star Lake Music Camp and the University of Toronto. He has been a guest soloist with bands such as Kew Band in Australia, Woolston Band in Christchurch, New Zealand, Bazuin Oenkerk Band in Holland, Mississauga Temple Band in Canada, Illinois Band near Chicago, the US Army Band Washington DC, Cuayahoga Valley Band near Cleveland, and the St Louis Band in the USA.

As a freelance player he has guested with most of the UK's leading brass bands including Grimethorpe Colliery, Fodens, Yorkshire Building Society and Leyland Band. As a soloist Brett has regularly performed in the Royal Albert Hall, and the Festival Hall in London, the Symphony Hall, Birmingham and Bridgewater Hall, Manchester.

Brett's first solo recording "Bone Idyll" was completed in 1996 accompanied by Fairey's Band. His advisors then included Christopher Houlding and Denis Wick. Between 1998 and 2000 Brett recorded two further solo CD's both accompanied by Flowers Band the second "Phenomenon" was a joint CD with cornetist Ian Porthouse. In October 2001 Brett released his most recent album "The Eternal Quest" accompanied by the Black Dyke Band.

Brett has been involved with commissions for the trombone by many leading composers such as Philip Sparke, Robin Dewhurst, Philip Harper, Peter Graham, Darrol Barry and Martin Ellerby; and was recently involved in a project with Leeds University in promoting new music for the trombone. Brett lives in Cheshire and is in demand also with Wind Bands and Symphony Orchestras and as a conductor and adjudicator. In January 2002 he was appointed Musical Director of the Longridge Band after a successful period with the Lydbrook Band.

Contact details and further information

E-mail Brett Baker

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